“Howdy. The name’s Reece. So. She’s talked about me?” He tilted his head and waved to the little girl in the back seat. She looked around the same age as Prisha.
“Right down to the bar scene.” Kelly arched a brow. Her gaze raked the length of his body. “Damn. Now I understand her intrigue. I know I’d be.” She grinned then pointed to the child. “My daughter, Laney.”
Reece chuckled at the unexpected news. Given Aria’s cold reception, he reckoned she’d forgotten their one-night stand like it never happened. “If she talked about me, then why treat me like a damn bug she’s ready to squash.”
The brunette laughed. “Call it an invasion of privacy.”
Reece cocked his head in surprise. “What the heck does that mean?”
“You were a one-night stand, right?” she asked, and he nodded. “Generally, when someone indulges in a one-night stand, they hope it remains a secret. Aria never expected you to pitch up here of all places. But here you are. Sexy body and all.” Kelly shrugged with a wink. He laughed. “A piece of advice, Reece. Kid gloves...” she trailed off as Prisha shot down the stairs, opened the back door, and jumped into the rear of the vehicle.
Reece turned as Aria descended, ignored him, and greeted her friend. “Hey, Kells.” Her friend wiggled her fingers in response. Aria leaned in through the back window to kiss her daughter. “You be good today, okay?” She tucked a stray strand of hair behind the little girl’s ear then whispered something in her ear. The child giggled. “Mommy loves you.”
“Love you too, Mommy.”
“See you later. Bye, Laney.” Aria stood back and blew both girls kisses.
Her warm smile made Reece wish for her relaxed response when she spoke to him. It would probably take a while before he got there.
“Bye, Reece. See you later.” Prisha called out. He waved at the two little girls who whispered to each other and chuckled.
“Buckle up, sweetheart,” Kelly called over her shoulder. Then with a quick smile to him, she backed the vehicle out of the driveway. Aria ran up the steps and entered the cabin.
Kid gloves? What the fuck?Probably code for some stupid shit he knew nothing about. Baffled, he scratched his head. Kelly just became his new best friend.
Aria stepped back out and locked the door. “Ready?” she asked but didn’t wait for a response then descended the stairs to her pick-up.
Reece dragged in a breath of air to calm his nerves. He followed and slid into the passenger seat. As Aria maneuvered the vehicle downhill toward the road, he racked his brain for a conversation starter. If last night was anything to go by, he sucked at seducing this woman. So much for his glamour-boy status. He wondered what Cody would think of his little brother now. Playing a game in which he clearly had no expertise.
“Do you think its gonna get colder than this?” he asked.
“Some,” her gaze fixed on the road ahead, her curt answer hinted at her desire to remain unfriendly.
“Do I offend you that much or has my sudden appearance got you so riled up.” Reece tried a different approach.
She glanced at him briefly then shifted her gaze back to the road. “You’re not offensive, just the opposite.” He smiled at her response until she opened her mouth again. “But you’re part of a forgettable past I wish to remain there.”
“Jesus, you don’t mince words, do you?” he muttered, his tone contrite.
His lack of control over his anger annoyed the shit out of him. Somehow he had to make this woman believe he was in charge—that she did not affect him other than sexually. At least then, he’d be honest about what he projected. When it came to emotions, he stayed the fuck out of its way.
She shrugged wordlessly, and he silently cursed. He hated the feeling. No woman, not even his sister, got the better of him. Only, the woman next to him, wrapped him around her little finger as though he were nothing but a piece of string. And he wasn’t about to let her tie him in knots. He’d have the last say, soon. Bide his time, nothing more he could do.
