He stopped chopping and turned at the sound of his name. Aria stood on the porch, her face a clear mask of irritation. Something hadn’t gone according to plan. He grinned.
“Yeah,” he called out and sauntered toward her.
“I can’t get hold of Billy.”
“Is that a bad thing?” He baited her. To hell with the repercussions.
She exhaled in a loud breath. “Of course, it’s a bad thing. You can’t stay here.”
“Why not?” Reece pulled on his T-shirt.
“What do you mean, why not?” she was pissed off.
“C’ mon, Aria, I made a mistake not introducing myself. Can’t we be friends?” Frustration made his words harsher than he wanted. He folded his arms on the bottom rail of the porch and waited for her response.
“No. You’re a part of my past I left behind. You shouldn’t be here.” She glared down at him, her stare unforgiving.
Reece sighed. Could the woman be any less difficult? “Unfortunately, I like you and I ain’t goin’ nowhere except Buck’s cottage. You’re stuck with me.” He skated on thin ice, but hell be damned.
“You’d be wise to tread lightly, seeing as you don’t have a place to sleep tonight.”
“But I do. Right here on your porch. If I freeze to death, then it might be the best damn death.”
“What? You wouldn’t dare?” Horror crossed her gorgeous features. Her beautiful face had haunted his dreams for months. Finding out she was married hadn’t dampened his need. Why were good things so hard to find?
“Don’t tempt me.” Reece laughed. “I’m the fire to melt your ice, babe.”
“God, you’re so cheesy.”
“Hey, I don’t think so. My brother said the same thing to his wife when he proposed—the other way around actually—and she married him.”
The rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Given your cocky playboy status, I’m surprised at your lack of creativity.”
Here goes nothing.“Okay, have it your way. I’ve got a hot rod right here to thaw everything from those cold words down to your cold pussy?” Reece rubbed his thigh suggestively.
“W-what?” she choked on the word. Disbelief marred her gorgeous face. Her eyes grew large as she glanced down at the tented bulge at his crotch. A feature Reece had no intention of hiding. She dropped her gaze. Disgust and embarrassment collaborated to give her cheeks a distinct red flush.
“You said try somethin’ better, babe. Anyway, it’s not like you haven’t seen it before.”Way to go, man. Lay on the charm.
“God, you’re crude. And I’m not your flipping babe.”
Okay, not so much charm in her books. “No. I’m horny, and you’re just the babe for me.”
“Yeah, well, dream on, big boy.”
“Thought my size hadn’t impressed you the last time. Took another peek last night?”
“W-what. Ugh. I give up.” She stomped her foot hard and turned away.
“Hey, Aria.” Reece ran up the steps. He grabbed her arm. “I’m kiddin’. I wanna make you smile but only seemed to have pissed you off more.”
“Are you kidding me? Who says those things and expects to get away with it?” her words were soft. Probably to prevent her daughter from hearing, but there was no mistaking the deadly undertone. “I think it’s time you left.”
“C’ mon, can’t you take a joke?” At the flare of her eyes, he held up a hand. “Forgive me? Please.” It took every ounce of control to keep his hands safely tucked in the back pockets of his jeans when all he wanted was to slip them under her sexy top. To run his fingers along those delicious curves and feel the press of her hard nipples against his palms.
“Fine. I need to go.”
“Can I at least get a kiss for tryin’?”
