Page 20 of Stud

My gaydar wasn’t just broken. It was smashed, splintered, and had been set on fire. I could never trust my intuition again. At least I hadn’t asked him out, and thank God I’d never mentioned my crush to Gwen or Rachel.

Six

Nine-letter word for an expert evaluation of property. Or realizing the woman giving you mixed signals could be your perfect fit.

A P P R A I S A L

Owen

I thought Ainsley was into me. Attracted, at least. We shared a moment on that picnic bench, a connection beyond the build and me coming to her rescue. I could have sworn she was about to ask something personal before Emmett turned up. Then she bolted and barely spoke with me the rest of the day. Four weeks and seven lunches later, I still couldn’t tell which end was up with her.

“I had no idea there was a vegan food truck in the area.” She swayed side to side, a healthy distance from me, arms folded over her chest.

I smirked at her, ready for our usual banter. “There was an excess of grass from a nearby field. No point tossing it out.”

“Or the mystery meat they used came to life and cannibalized the entire truck, leaving behind only things of nutritional value that don’t birth maggots when left in the heat.”

“Sounds plausible.” I appraised the letters painted on the lime green truck: The Vegan Wagon. A brightly colored lettuce “man” was drawing a gun from his holster, ready to kill a rib-steak robber with a shot to the eye. It was a retelling of John Wayne’s classic The War Wagon, complete with cowboy hats and metal spurs.

She glanced at me over her shoulder. “I could dig up some worms if the veggie fare isn’t enough to fill you.”

I rubbed my belly. “Had eggs and half a cow this morning. Should be good. I set aside some sawdust for you, though. In case you’re hungry later.”

“You’re sweet.”

“I know.”

We grinned at each other.

I loved this, how easy joking was with Ainsley. How relaxed I now felt around her. Tessa’s intellectual crowd hadn’t always been my speed. I could put in the time, make conversation and have a decent evening, but I’d been a Clydesdale surrounded by Thoroughbreds, and Tessa would often shoot me scathing looks.

My fists clenched at the memory, a typical reaction when anything Tessa came to mind. But I was with Ainsley, and being with her was as easy as breathing. Except I wanted to do more than breathe. I wanted to explore and touch and hear how loud I could make her moan. If she felt the same crack and sizzle every time she looked at me, it would be a hell of a good time.

The line of five vegans inched forward while we studied the chalkboard menu. Her attention drifted to a woman in white nearing us. Tessa had a suit like that, but cut low in the front. She’d wear it when pitted against male attorneys. A master manipulator at every turn.

I flexed my hands again, tired of anger always following thoughts of my ex. Tired of her occupying my head space, period. My lawyer’s e-mail this morning hadn’t helped.

Tessa rejected last week’s house offer, he’d written. She believes it’s below value, even though I sent comparative sales in the area. I’ll dig up more data. Get prepared for next time.

Sighing, I scuffed my boot over the asphalt.

Ainsley pulled a business card from her back pocket and held it toward the woman. “Jade pumps and a matching purse would be fierce with that outfit. Your eyes would look even more stunning.”

The woman’s face slammed into hard lines, probably unsure if Ainsley was insulting or complimenting her, but the comment had me relaxing. I knew Ainsley well enough to know it wasn’t just a business tactic. Although she was trying to gain a client, it was nice being around someone who looked for the beauty in her surroundings.

I studied the woman’s eyes. An intense green next to her red hair. “Have to agree. Your eyes are beautiful.” And Ainsley was good at her job.

The redhead’s hardness melted away. She plucked Ainsley’s card from her hand. After scanning it, she then scanned me, a slow perusal from head to toe. “Thanks. Do you two work together?”

“She’s my assistant.” Couldn’t help myself.

Ainsley shot me a scowl. “He struggles with basic math. We’re working at a Habitat for Humanity build. I help him with his numbers.” I bit back a laugh, but she didn’t miss a beat. “My stunning ensemble”—she gestured to her clothing—“is purely functional, but personal shopping is my paying gig. If you’re interested, call me. All I need is ten minutes in your closet.”

My strangled laugh turned into a muffled groan. Ten minutes in a closet with Ainsley. Damn. Might have to hire her myself.

The redhead slipped Ainsley’s card into her purse. “Maybe.” Her next glance at me held more heat, her attention lingering on my lips.

There was no spark. No moment where my mind went fuzzy and limbs turned heavy and chest grew tight like with Ainsley. What did have my temperature rising, were the daggers Ainsley was staring at her. Like she was jealous. Like she was ready to claim me as her own.