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“Darlin’, it’s only bragging if it ain’t true.”
My cheeks flamed hot, and I cast my eyes to the ceiling.Down, girl. He’s feeding you unsafe fantasies.
He touched the tender area on my side. “You’ve been a naughty girl.”
If we were still alluding to sex, I was not participating. I winced when he moved closer to the cut.
“You’ve pulled a section of the wound open, and it bled a little. Did you raise your arm like I told you not to?”
“I had to reach the teabags,” I said. “Sorry.”
He worked quickly, and every time I glanced down, his eyes were on my wound, not the generous helping of side boob in front of him.
I inched my fingers away to show a bit more—no response. What did it say about me that I hated that I couldn’t crack his professionalism?
He moved back. “Done.”
“Thank you. I mean it.”
He picked up my top. “Arms forward.”
I hesitated.
“Come on. I’ve got two sisters, so it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”
I wasn’t willing to guess exactly how many pairs of breasts he’d seen. As good-looking as he was, I’d bet plenty of women willingly shed their clothes for him.
“Do you want to wait for Constance?” he asked.
“Don’t be silly.” My tattoo reminded me to be bold, so I did as he asked and let my boobs fall free. I closed my eyes as the cool air hit them.
He hesitated, then slowly slid my top up my arms and over my head. Had he checked me out? Had I wanted him to? What had he thought?
Do not ask him.I ticked off another first with Duke. I’d held hands with him, hugged him, kissed him. Oh my, that kiss had been off-the-charts hot and made me regret that we hadn’t connected before. Now, I’d been topless with the man. Saying all that in my head made me realize exactly how much of a man he was—the total package, a sexy badass who pumped out testosterone like nobody’s business. Yes, he was the ultimate panty melter, and I was not immune. Nope, get me a fire extinguisher.
“The gang will be here soon,” he said. “Is it okay if we set up in the family room?”
“Sure. Wherever.”
He walked into the other room, and I touched a finger to my lips, recalling the kiss.
Duke hadn’t said anything about it. Maybe it hadn’t meant anything more to him than a way to get the horny deputy off his case. Or maybe I wasn’t a good kisser. Maybe both.
“What the fuck?”
Duke’s angry yell broke my daydream. “What?” I slid off the island and joined him in the other room.
He’d pulled open the curtains and stood staring out. “Does anyone have a key to your backyard?” he bellowed.
“I don’t lock it.” Given what had happened today, the admission sounded stupid even to me.
“Dammit, the fucker was here,” Duke snarled.
Just when I thought my day couldn’t get any shittier, the blood in my veins turned to ice. My attacker had taped a note to the outside of the glass.
You have one more chance. Place the USB stick under the red bush tonight or else. Next time it will be the real deal. Or, maybe we can enjoy each other’s company and have a nice long chat.
CHAPTER 13
