He laughed again. “Setting the bar really high, aren’t we?”
“On the contrary, the bar is practically on the ground and you’re not even capable of stepping over it.”
Tripp brought a hand to his chest and made a face. “You wound me.” Irritation was starting to stir deep within him. What was her problem?
Wendy flushed. There was no denying that she was going to be a tough nut to crack, but he’d dealt with worse. All women were generally the same. They just needed a little push in the right direction.
He simply needed to figure out what made her tick.
Tripp dragged a hand down his vest, drawing her eye to his body. A flicker of heat in her eyes sparked the thrill of the chase he’d always had. At least that was something. She found him attractive. He could capitalize on that.
If he got her alone, he could inch into her space. Their proximity would only heighten her senses. Then she’d see they could have a little bit of fun together. It might not be a true love match, but it would be enough to get her wanting more.
He jerked his chin over toward the barn. “Do you like horses?”
Wendy’s eyes narrowed. “Who doesn’t like horses?”
Shrugging, he shoved his hands in his pockets again. “People who are allergic. People who are scared of horses—scared of a little adventure. There are lots of reasons.”
“What does liking horses have to do with adventure?”
Tripp leaned even closer to her, his lips nearly grazing the shell of her ear. “No one gets on a horse without the expectation of adventure. And what other reason is there for having them? It’d be like buying a Ferrari and refusing to take a canyon drive in it.” His eyes flicked to the partygoers. No one was paying them any heed. Good. He didn’t need Leo or Reese judging him for wanting to take Wendy off for some one-on-one time. His family was aware of his disinterest in settling down, but that didn’t mean they approved. As long as the drama didn’t reach their doorstep, he could do as he pleased.
It was the reputation linked to his name that mattered. While most of the people at this party were extended family members, not all of them were.
The sheriff, the mayor, and their families were also in attendance along with Serenity’s family. He’d promised to be on his best behavior throughout the whole celebration and the last thing he needed was to make a fool of himself.
Not that he would.
The girls couldn’t resist him.
Wendy’s behavior was strange, but he could see the interest glinting in her eyes.
Pulling back, he smirked at her. But before he could ask her how she felt about taking a walk with him, he was splashed with a cup of lemonade.
The burning sensation of the acidic drink was nothing to the gasps of shock he heard rippling through those close enough tobe in the splash zone. And those paled in comparison to the words that rang out over the music playing from the speakers.
“How dare you!” Wendy snapped. “I’m an honorable woman, not some conquest to be ravaged.”
What?
His head spun.
Honorable woman?
Conquest?
Ravaged?
He blinked, droplets of lemonade falling from his lashes. Wendy’s horrified expression smoothed for just an instant into a devilish smirk. Then she blushed as if on command and stalked away from him.
What. Just. Happened?
Tripp stared after her, at a complete loss for words.
But it only got worse.
Someone yanked at his upper arm and dragged him into the house, away from the party guests. Then they tossed a hand towel at his face. When he pulled the towel away, he found himself staring into four pairs of angry eyes.
