Page 52 of Shephard

I was finished with her insistence, reaching down and gathering her into my arms. As I gently brought her to her feet, there were a few positive comments from the peanut gallery. Holding her in my arms once again instantly brought back fond memories. There was a look in her eyes reflecting the same and as strange as it seemed to me, the crowd of people around us faded away.

She took a deep breath, her body trembling. Was it from the fall or from our connection?

I had my answer within a few seconds as she shoved me backward. “Just stay away from me,” she barked.

She appeared a little ruffled, her long ponytail slipping enough to allow strands of hair to fall into her face. Huffing, she blew them away, wincing when she twisted.

“You’re hurt,” I told her.

“I’m fine. You need to look where you’re going. Unless you’re trying to kill someone.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“Oh, yeah? Well, given you aren’t who you say you are, anything is possible with you.” The sudden shade she threw was bad enough. Doing it with a loud voice and inside the lobby of the resort was enough to shove the anger back to the forefront.

I crowded her space, eager to chastise her, but finding the right words difficult.

“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue as usual, big boy? Do you want to punch me just like you did the reporter?” Her eyes reflected her shock at throwing that out. She had an ax to grind with some asshole. Maybe I reminded her of the bastard. However, I wasn’t going to allow her bad behavior to continue.

Without thinking people were watching us, I backed her up until she refused to go any further, even encouraging me to come closer with her venomous eyes.

I did so just to piss her off. Plus, I enjoyed the sport we’d invented. We’d taken heavy bantering to an entirely new level. It kept my blood flowing and my cock stiff.

“Angel. If you want to discuss my background, which you’ve obviously checked out enough to believe I’m some bloodthirsty idiot, then we’re not doing it here.”

“Idiot, yes. Bloodthirsty remains to be seen.”

Now the sexy girl was goading me on purpose. I could tell by the spark in her eyes. “You heard me.”

“Oh, somewhere private?” she pushed.

“Very private. Of course that is if you’re not too frightened of me.”

“Frightened?” she laughed. “Not a chance, buster. If you’re really going to tell me the truth, you’re on.”

“Pick the time and place.”

“Fine. I will.”

“Do it. Right now, sweetheart.”

“My place. Dinner. Seven p.m.”

I grinned, my balls tightening. “You’re on.”

“Fine.”

She took a step backward, giving me a gaze that would drill a man into the ground before spinning on her heels and walking off.

I watched her, unable to take my eyes off her hourglass figure. That’s when I realized what she’d asked and what I’d agreed to.

Great.

Another interesting night.

I continued watching her walk away, attempting to ignore the questions that I was suddenly peppered with. She was more than just a handful, but I had to admit, I was looking forward to dinner.

There was no getting out of handling a few issues, so when I finally made it to my truck, it was almost five-thirty. I’d have time for a shower and change before heading over to her place. Before climbing in, my phone rang.