“Got it, and ditto, by the way.”
“Ditto?”
“In the hotness stakes.”
Color flooded her cheeks. Lani didn’t like compliments, especially considering they were BS. She knew what she looked like now. Straggly hair, baggy clothes, and no makeup. This had been a studied choice, a camouflage.
“Whatever.” She turned back and looked at the mountains. “Don’t let me keep you any longer.”
“Are you kidding me? Conversing with a seriously hot, awkward chick is a particular fantasy of mine.”
“Ha, and don’t BS me, Noah, I don’t need it.”
“Okay, maybe you dress a bit bag lady, but you are hot under all that plainness.”
That forced a laugh from her. She saw the bow of his kayak appear as he lowered it onto the lake.
“How about we start this again?”
She heard the splash of the water as he moved closer, and then he was in front of her in all his handsome beauty, with one hell of a backdrop.
“He yours?” Noah was looking at Buddy, who was standing on the bank eyeballing her muffin bag. “He’s big, but has a friendly look in his eyes.”
“No, he just found me, but he’s not mine.”
“Sure looks like he is.”
Lani didn’t reply. She’d just had this exact conversation with Buster.
“Okay, let’s start this again. Hi, my name’s Noah Harris.” He held his large hand out before her.
Lani looked at it like it may bite her.
“Come on, Lani, shake my hand.”
Even his voice was nice… sexy. Whisky over rocks.
“Hi, I’m Lani Sullivan.” Her hand was engulfed and held. He then gave her a small tug, and she fell into his chest.
“You’re probably going to hold this against me.”
“What?” Their eyes were close now.
His lips were soft on hers. Just a brief, gentle touch that had her toes curling beneath the water and her body suddenly humming. It lasted seconds and then he was smiling down at her.
“Really nice to meet you, Lani Sullivan, and if you have an itch you want scratching anytime, then I’m your guy.”
Still trying to gather her scattered thoughts, she watched him climb into the boat and paddle away.
I need to stay as far away from that man as I possibly can.He was way out of her league and knew exactly what he was. In fact, she doubted he’d had an awkward moment in his life. Too hot, too charming… just too everything!
Chapter Nine
“Seriously, will you just stop bitching and get in the car already.”
“I’m not bitching,” Faith said from her position on the sidewalk outside the Howler. “But I really think they need to fix that crack.”
They were going to Rose McBride’s birthday party and were at least twenty minutes late already.
