Page 76 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

Delilah grabbed the front of his sweatshirt in her fists, but instead of pulling him in, Delilah pushed him away. “Stop. Don’t make me want you because we both know I can’t have you.”

“Delilah—”

“No, Anthony. It’s been almost two weeks of this push and pull between us. I may have overreacted on Sunday about Pike, but the truth is, you don’t know what you want. You’ve got me in this alley, making my knees weak and every part of my body wants to give in, but I’m not your dirty little secret. You had me screaming your name in your truck and far away from your friends in Boise, and now I’m starting to wonder if you didn’t tell Pike because I was right all along. You’re ashamed to want me.”

Horror flashed through him. “Absolutely the fuck not.”

“Prove it. Stop hiding, Anthony. I’ve been waiting on you to wake up and realize I’m yours for the taking, but I’m not waiting around forever.”

Delilah dropped his sweatshirt and exited the alleyway, disappearing out of sight.

Anthony’s emotions raged, warring between frustration, desire, and disbelief. He’d never imagined how his actions would have been interpreted by Delilah, making her think he was hiding her, that he was embarrassed of her.

Anthony headed back to the gym and searched for Nick, spotting him in the back by the weights. “You still up for blowing this off and getting a drink?’

Nick nodded. “You alright?”

“No, I’m a fucking idiot.”

“Hey, Russo,” Brodie called, crossing the room to stop in front of him. “Guess who I’m taking out this weekend?”

“Your mom?” Nick quipped, earning a glare from Brodie.

“Delilah Gill. Wants to learn how to snowboard.”

“And?”

“I find it interesting she didn’t hire you. I heard a rumor the two of you were hanging out. Wanna give a guy a heads up what I’m getting into?”

“It’s not a date,” Anthony said. “She asked you for lessons.”

“Yeah, but I figure that’s just a cover. The girl’s got good taste and wants to get in a warm-up before the real workout begins.”

Anthony grabbed Brodie by the shirt, bringing him nose to nose. “You touch her and I’ll fuck you up.”

“Whoa, Anthony!” Nick said.

“Get the fuck off me,” Brodie hollered, drawing attention from the other patrons.

“I mean it. You try anything with my girl and I’ll—”

“Whoa, cowboy,” a familiar voice said, grabbing Anthony’s arm. “Let the Neanderthal go before you catch a case.”

Anthony looked down into Pike’s amused blue eyes and was so thrown by his jovial tone, he dropped Brodie’s shirt. The minute he was free, Brodie shoved Anthony, who stumbled into Nick.

“Next time you come at me, Russo, we’re going to finish this outside.”

“Brodie, Brodie,” Pike tsked. “You don’t want to bite off more than you can chew.”

“What the fuck are you talking about, Pike?”

“I can’t have you putting hands on my boy or his girl. You understand? Delilah Gill is off-limits to you and anyone else in this town.”

“I think that’s up to her, don’t you?”

“You can think that, but then again, I still have a certain photo you probably wouldn’t want going viral on social media.”

Brodie’s face paled and Pike slapped his shoulder. “Glad we understand each other.”