Page 4 of Chasing Bandit

“Don't remind me of the biggest mistake of my life,” I deadpanned as he laughed while he headed out to his truck.

Chapter 3 – Stevie

When Wylie returned, we got to work measuring the main room where the sorting and packing would take place. Next, we moved to the kitchen, where I planned to order new appliances, including a microwave and stove. Finally, we assessed the walls where I'd be hanging artwork and our rotating delivery schedules and seasonal produce plan.

I had to admit, Wylie and I worked well together when we weren’t talking and had a shared goal in mind—helping out our younger siblings.

He snapped the measuring tape closed as we finished and then wiped his hands on his worn jeans before packing up his toolbox. It felt oddly nice, we were getting along for once and had managed an entire hour of work with only minimum arguing over artwork placement and table arrangement.

“Thank you for your help, Wylie.”

“Sure thing. So how long are you here for?” Wylie asked as he packed up his toolbox and we headed back outside to the parking lot.

“Until October. Jovie said she wants the co-op up and running in the next six months.”

He nodded, and for a moment, I thought he might say something about how it was nice to see me again. Maybe we could move this thing into a nice, neighbors-with-benefits situation while I was visiting, I'd definitely be lonely, though Wylie wasn't the best company, he at least knew how to use his body as a distraction.

My hopes for that were short lived when Wylie opened his mouth again.

"Well, don't let the door hit your ass on the way back to Houston."

“Seriously?” I groaned and rolled my eyes. “You know we’re going to have to be around each other a lot these next six months and Jovie and Nash are getting married in three.”

“I’m aware.”

“Well, aren’t you his best man?”

“Unfortunately.”

I rolled my eyes again, “Whatever, Wylie, but if they ask us to work on anything for the wedding, I expect you to pitch in and help. I already have enough on my plate with trying to get Nourish up and running.”

He crossed his arms over his chest, “I’ll do whatever my brother and Jovie ask because they are family. I'd do anything for family.”

I raised a brow. “Are you insinuating that I wouldn’t? I did move down to fucking Lonestar Junction, the last place on earth I’d like to be living to help my sister set up her non-profit and I'm tolerating you. I think that's more than enough indication that I’d do anything for my family.”

He shrugged as he tossed his toolbox into the back of the truck and went to open his driver's side door.

“Whatever you say, Stevie.”

“Hey, what’s your problem with me?” I demanded as I stepped closer and pointed a finger at his chest.

I wanted to air it out, find the underlying cause of whatever the hell it was that Wylie held so tightly against me considering we’d have to be around each other nonstop for the next half year. It couldn't possibly be that he'd gone to Houston after our one-night stand and found me with another man. Wylie didn’t seem like the commitment type anyways.

He spun around swiftly, striding right up to me, our chests brushing against each other. My breath hitched as I craned my head to meet his angry green eyes with the slightest crow's feet around them. He was so tall, and up close like this was just a reminder of how good looking he was.

"Are you bitter just because we fucked once, and I didn't end up heartbroken, pining after you for months, trying to turn it into something more that we both knew it could never be? Unlike most women in your life, I'm sure."

He was panting with fury now, his chest rising up and down as his eyes narrowed. My lips parted searching for a breath amongst the heat between and surrounding us. For a crazy moment, I wanted him to kiss me, hell I wanted to be fucked right now, something or anything to take the edge off what was clearly between us. but instead, Wylie was retreating.

"You look like you're in heat, Stevie. You want me to kiss you or something? Well, even if I wanted to, I wouldn't. I made an exception for Jovie because she proved herself on the ranch, understood demanding work and contributed to the family. Then she had to go and fall in love with my best friend and brother, nearly fucked up his heart before coming to her senses. You haven't shown me you understand the first thing about hard work, sacrifice or thinking about anyone but yourself. Prove me wrong," he hissed.

His words licked like fire through my body and across my cheeks as I stepped back towards him, pressing my chest to him again and closing the gap he'd created.

“I don’t have to prove a damn thing to you Wylie Cameron. I don’t owe you anything. All you ever think about is yourself. You were a fine fuck and that’s all you’ll ever be to me. Stay out of my way these next six months.” I poked him in the chest and spun on my heel headed back to my Mercedes but not before I heard Wylie let out a laugh.

“See you around, Bandit."

Chapter 4 – Wylie

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