Page 29

The amount of time that has gone by where I haven’t fucked a woman is going to become a record in this town, and I’m not looking for that sort of fame.

I mean, shit, if Agnes has already noticed my love life, it’s only going to be a matter of time before they start creating charity events for my dick to get laid.

Maybe not worded like that, but you get the point.

“What about me, Adeline?” I’m finally able to get out, allowing her to still mess with me. Even though it’s not something huge; it can be. Any one of these gossip mill mongers can spark up a story quicker than a blink, and maybe that could help me.

Maybe not.

Regardless, the tension between Adeline and me is heavy and hot. She keeps flirting, and I keep testing.

And she hasn’t run from me yet.

Which only makes me want to throw all caution to the wind and see what kind of good or bad idea this might be.

“Ya can’t walk around like this, Dodger,” she lightly chides when her pinky finger runs down my chest once, just for shits and giggles. “This t-shirt leaves nuthin’ to the imagination on what’s underneath.”

I hold on to her gaze because I wouldn’t want to do anything else right now. And I sure as hell am tired of making it look like I’m not interested.

I am.

I’m really fucking interested in Adeline Kerrigan.

“And what do ya think that is?”

“Muscle,” Adeline claims. “And I’ve seen it. Ya were outside mowin’ your lawn one day, and I was drivin’ by⁠—”

“Is that what we’re callin’ stalkin’ these days?”

Her smirk tells me I’m full of shit. “That’d track, Dodger, if your house wasn’t on my way home.”

“So you eye-fucked me, and I’m supposed to dress like a nun?”

“Not any more than you already do me.”

Touché.

“What would you have me do then?” I press. “I don’t want to be a main distraction for you, but if it gets you away from this buildin’, I may just rip my shirt off right here.”

“The flyers will do.”

That takes some of the wind out of my sails with this game.

“Then I’ll expect you to pack up within the next ten minutes?” I ask. “Shouldn’t need much longer than that.”

“Well, now that you threw takin’ your shirt off, Dodger, I’ll take that as well.”

I shake my head. “Said the flyers were enough.”

“I already accepted that would solve the problem, but now you gave me another one.”

“Ya can go spend your time lookin’ for that dog you’re so obsessed over.”

Adeline shakes her head. “I’m obsessed over somethin’ else, Dodger.”

This woman is going to get it, and she’s going to get it hard if she doesn’t stop fucking with me.

“Don’t tell me ya have a crush on me, Adeline. I might not believe you.”