We pull up to the small storefront just as a short dark skinned Latino man is unlocking the door. “Just in time, Reed. The shit’s just inside,” he calls. “Oh, hi, Miss. Sorry about the language. I didn’t know Mason was bringing his girl,” he explains with a sheepish smile.
“I’m a volunteer, not his girl, and don’t worry, I’ve been known to drop an f-bomb or two.”
“Hanging out with Mason will drive anyone to it.” He laughs.
The truck is loaded in short order and we spend most of the ride home in comfortable silence. Mason gives me a sideways glance, grinning. “Don’t pout.”
“What? I’m not.” Yeah, I sort of am. I can’t believe how easily I fell for his trick.
“Is dating me that distasteful to you?”
Shit. I’m not trying to offend him. “Of course not. I’m just not interested in getting involved right now.” After a few seconds of silence, I try to change the subject. “I saw a memo about a change to the S.B. carnival, but I didn’t get to read it. What was it about?”
“I rented out Adventure River for the day since it’s been so hot. The carnival will set up in the back lot.”
He rented out the whole park? Adventure River is a huge waterpark complete with wave pool, lazy river, and massive water slides. “That’s…fantastic. The kids will love it.”
A small smile lifts his lips as he guides the car onto the highway off ramp. “You work with Building Tomorrow’s Child, don’t you? How many kids are in the center now?”
“Fifteen, why? And how do you know where I volunteer?”
“Background check, remember?”
“You’re kind of a creepy stalker.”
I get a flash of his straight white teeth as he laughs. “I’ll getpasses for the kids at the center. Bring them, but get the counselors to chaperone. I want you all to myself.”
“Mason…that’s…thank you. They’ll be so excited.”
“Not as excited as I am to see you in a swimsuit.”
Damn, I hadn’t thought of that. Oh, well, he’s seen me naked. It’s not like my chunky ass was hidden. When I look at him, I’m greeted with a wicked grin. “You’re blushing.”
“You’re an asshole.”
“I’ll grow on you, love.”
This time I can’t help my laughter, and his eyes glitter with satisfaction. “My car is parked around back, if you’d just drop me there,” I suggest as we pull up to Striking Back.
“In such a hurry to get rid of me,” he jokes with a fake pout.
“I want to get to the gym before my book club meeting.”
“Which gym do you go to?”
I unbuckle my belt as he parks beside my car. “No way, stalky. You have enough info on me at the moment.”
“Fine. You don’t need the gym, you know.”
“You need an eye doctor.”
“Hey.” He grabs my arm as I open the van door. “Just don’t overdo it on the elliptical. It’d be a shame to lose that ass.” Oh my god.
“You’re a Neanderthal.”
“See you soon, Evie,” he says with a smile. “Try not to think of me too much.”
“I’ll try to remember your name until the carnival.” Without a backward glance, I hop out of the van and into my red Mini. All that linguistic sparring with him has worn me out. Damn, but the man is hard to resist. Charming, philanthropic, and too damn sexy to be real. He’s also trouble. I know his type. Smooth words and a quick smile, and after he gets what he wants, on to the next leaving a mess of broken hearts behind him.
