I take a step closer, bracing my hand on the wooden doorframe above her head. “No one has ever talked to me that way outside of my family, and I’m pretty sure they’re biased.”
“So you’re surrounded by a bunch of ass-kissers?” Her brow arches. “That explains a lot.”
My chest tightens, and God help me, I’d better be careful I don’t fall in love with this woman.
“I don’t think so. But you’re an outside observer. Your dad is one of the greats. Brady Armstrong thinks you know your stuff, and I want to hear it.”
“I’m not your coach, Knox Bradford. I’m a podcaster. I have a job.”
“Sure.” Reaching up, I scrub the back of my neck with my hand. “But everyone needs a friend. Right?”
Her lips tighten like she’s fighting her reply. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Too many friends? Can’t add another until one of them dies?”
“My job is to be impartial, and if we’re friends, I risk losing objectivity. And… I suspect you’re trying to make me go easy on you on my show.”
I hold up both hands. “I would never.”
“Oh, wouldn’t you now.” Sarcasm is in her tone, and she’s so damn cute standing there in those shorts and that shirt with her hands on her hips in her bare feet.A delight.
“Fine. I don’t want to be friends.” I realize I really don’t. My mind has drifted into Baker’s approach to this situation. I want to nail her to the wall and hear her moaning my name. “You can say what you want on your show, but say it to me first. Deal?”
She inhales slowly, and from somewhere behind her, deeper in the house, I hear a voice whisperingDo it!My eyes flicker into the space, but I can’t see anybody.
“Give me your number, and I’ll consider it,” she says.
A hand shoves a phone into hers from behind the door, and she looks down, shaking her head with a scoff.
“Okay.” I hold my hand out for her device. “I’ll enter my digits.”
Another momentary hesitation, her eyes flicker to the left, and then she holds the phone out to me. Her hand is small compared to mine. Our skin brushes, and it’s a ripple of electricity through my stomach. I wonder if she feels it, too.
If she does, she gives nothing away. Bonus points for having a great poker face.
I quickly tap in my information and save it asK-Brad. If you can’t lick ‘em…
Mmm… Hold that thought for now.
I give the device back to her, and she looks at it briefly before looking up at me again. “I’m not promising anything.”
“Understood.” I reach into my pocket, handing out her forgotten credit card. “The ball is totally in your court.”
She takes it. “Thank you for returning this. You never said how you got it… or how you found me.”
“You left it at the Tropical Isle. My friend Devin Banks got it for you. He’s our data guy, so he has ways.”
Her eyes flicker to the door again, and she’s communicating with whoever shoved the phone in her hand. Whoever it is seems to be on my side, so I play it cool.
“I hope to hear from you, Miss Dunne.”
“It’s Melody.” Her eyes are sharp. “I’m not going to lie for you, and I’m not going to lie to you.Ever.”
I allow the smile I’ve been fighting to spread across my lips, and she blinks away from my face quickly, her cheeks flushing pink.Was that a point for K-Brad?
“I’m counting on it.” I give her a nod before turning and walking down the short path, back to my waiting Rover.
CHAPTER 8
