Page 40 of Chasing Kaylee Kringle

“‘Smutty Santa books’?” he repeated, amusement sparkling in his brown eyes. “Really?”

Kaylee, hiking her bag higher onto her shoulder in case he got any ideas about snatching it and checking out exactly what kind of book she’d been reading, marched away from him and into the kitchen. She picked up a plastic cup of mimosa and downed it in a single gulp.

Rick followed her in there, silently loading a plate with all kinds of snacks and picking up a mimosa. When he took a sip, he let loose a little hum in the back of his throat. “That’s really good. No wonder women drink these all the time.”

“We do not drink them all the time; we have them with Sunday brunch, champagne at weddings, and other big moments. That is why they are special.”

He arched a brow at her. “You’re getting awfully crabby about mimosas.”

“No, I’m crabby,” she ground out through a clenched jaw, “because I don’t want everyone to think you are my boyfriend when you’re really my keeper.”

“Isn’t that what a boyfriend is?” His full lips quirked in that smug way that aggravated her nerves. “You know, somebody who hangs around, makes sure you’re safe, takes care of you, and protects you from harm.”

“No, I am a grown woman. I can take care of myself. I do not need a man for any of that.” Although it would be nice to someday have a husband who would fill up her car and do other little things, Rick didn’t need to know about that.

Rick stepped into her, and she backed up until her butt hit the countertop. “Then what do you need a man for?”

Kaylee’s body hummed at his proximity, her answer coming out in a stammer. “No-nothing. I mean, what can a man do for me that I can’t take care of alone?”

Why the heck did I say that? It’s like pushing the barn door wide open.

Rick’s eyes sparkled. “You never have anything that you wish someone would take care of for you?”

Kaylee gasped, his suggestive tone sinking in. “You are not talking about that with a roomful of women literally a whisper away.”

“Why not?” he murmured, leaning in until they were nearly nose to nose. “No one can hear me.” He pressed into her until their lower bodies connected. “Kaylee, you never need anyone to take care of you?”

“No, no,” she said breathlessly. “I can take care of that by myself, too.”

“Oh yeah,” he teased, cocking his head curiously. “How?”

Her face burned. “I’m not talking about this, especially not with you.”

Rick’s hand came up, cradling her face. His lips hovered above hers, and she held her breath, eyes fluttering.

“Then maybe it’s just me.” He was so close that his breath warmed her mouth. “Because I can tell when a woman wants me.”

His words were like a bucket of ice water, and Kaylee let out an angry growl, pushing him away. “You are an arrogant, cocksure, son of a bitch.”

Rick laughed. “Cocksure? Really?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

“I prefer to call it confidence, but whatever rocks your boat, baby.”

He left the room, and Kaylee gripped the edge of the counter, taking deep breaths. Closing her eyes, she tried to regain control of her body. His proximity had an accelerating effect on her heartbeat and the pulse between her thighs. That throb was a reminder that last night she’d been lying on her back for hours, staring at the ceiling and imagining Rick opening her door and poking his head in. In her mind, he’d asked if she was asleep, and when she said no, he’d crawled into bed with her. The fantasy had her in a choke hold, and she’d ended up taking her waterproof vibrator into the shower and easing some of the tension so she could sleep, but his presence was wreaking havoc on her hormones.

Kaylee grabbed another mimosa and downed it like a shot before tossing her cup into the trash. She wasn’t going to let Rick get to her. She would be poised, she would be graceful, and she would be freaking immune to his gross, manipulative tactics.

Asking her if she needed any help.

She’d ask him for help when monkeys flew out of her butt.

Chapter Twenty-One

Kaylee

Kaylee walked into the living room and found Rick perched on the edge of the couch, talking to Josie and Will Rappaport. Will was the only man allowed to attend the book club. He was the music teacher at the middle school and best friends with Marianne. They’d gone to school together, and his husband worked at the courthouse as a guard.