Page 8 of Sturdy & Dirty

“It’s just… we don’t really know each other,” he said quickly. “And I practically attacked you. And I’m… me, and you’re you.”

His rambling made me laugh.

“I—I mean, look at you. And… look at me.” He lifted his foot that was still jammed in the bucket. “Holly James, don’t take this wrong, but… I think you’ve hit your head too hard and now you’re making questionable decisions.”

Oh my god, he was so adorable.

In a masculine, rough-around-the-edges sort of way, but still. Absolutely adorable.

“Who says I didn’t attack you first?” I argued. “What if I staged this whole thing, and waited for the perfect moment when that bag you were hefting obstructed your view, and then made my move?”

His frown disappeared, making his face look softer. Almost vulnerable, for the smallest moment. And the tops of his cheeks grew redder with what could only be doubt.

“You didn’t.”

I shrugged. “Maybe I did. Who’s to say?”

He shot me a skeptical look. “Only to end up on the floor?”

I sighed dramatically. “Sometimes sacrifices need to be made to get a man’s attention.”

He was fun to tease.

“And besides, this floor’s not so bad.”

“It’s concrete, and there’s an open drain next to your head.”

“As for your other concerns,” I said, ignoring his argument. “It’s true we don’t really know each other. But that’s the fun of going on a date.”

“A date,” he murmured.

“That’s where you get to know each other, see? And the rest…” I lifted my head to get a better view of him before letting my gaze slide down his body in a perusing glance. “Well, I’m looking at you, and I can’t see me, but from where I’m at… I don’t see a problem.”

I didn’t mean for my voice to go all soft and breathy. I didn’t mean for things to change from lighthearted to something else.

But it did anyway.

My heart thundered. And his jaw clenched, his eyes flaring with awareness.

I was so attracted to this man, heaven help me. It was instant chemistry. Surely he could feel it too.

I watched his throat bob with a heavy swallow. And when he spoke, his voice was just as husky.

“I don’t know if you’re for real or if you’re just teasing me. But I'd put a lot on the line, including my pride, to take you on that date and find out.”

My smile couldn’t be stopped. It was instantaneous, spreading my cheeks until they ached.

“Well then, Austin Davis. I guess we have ourselves a date.”

He stared at me, looking dazed as the hint of a first smile lifted the corner of his mouth.

“Never told you my last name.”

“I know,” I said with a wink.

Chapter Four

Austin

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