Page 32 of One Big Little Secret

“How generous,” I bite off. “You called the other placestunning.”

“I did.” She clears her throat. “I mean, look—Archer’s house uses a lot of color. That stands out in a Midwestern city that loves its historic brick buildings and pretty basic neutrals for anything more modern.”

“It’s garish. Too whimsical for many,” I snarl.

“I think you mean stylish.”

“Thisis stylish.”

Brutal pause.

Her eyes flare with challenge.

“This is expensive, Mr. Rory,” she says firmly. “And it could really use some blinds. The sun must get blinding in the morning, and what about privacy?”

I look at the view, the fenced-in yard and old trees behind the house, and the fact that nobody could see into this room.

“Blinds would ruin the aesthetic. Clearly,” I tell her.

“But just imagine walking around this place naked.” She gestures at the almost wall-length window. “Imagine beingon showlike that if any neighbors looked through the fence.”

Shit.

I blink away the thought of seeing her naked like I have sand in my eyes.

However annoying she is, she’s got curves for miles, a body made to rock and fucking roll.

Otherworldly tits, and I should know because I—

No. Fuck you and your monkey brain, man.

We are not revisiting that night.

“This is an excellent neighborhood. I assure you no one goes creeping around here, peeping through windows, Miss Hopper,” I say.

“It’s not about that, though. Youfeelexposed here.” She shivers and turns her back firmly on the window. “I don’t like it, but maybe it’s just me.”

“You don’t like it because it’s mine.” I immediately regret those words.

Something about dealing with this woman destroys every thread of professionalism I own. I’m sure it has everything to do with the fact that we’ve slept together.

“Anyway, look, it doesn’t matter,” I say, swiping my hand to regain composure. “If you’re so desperate to strut around naked, we have a dozen other properties that would be a great fit for that. This house does solid revenue and we have no shortage of bookings.”

A blush sweeps up her face.

“I mean, I don’t—I don’twantto walk around naked,” she sputters.

Her delay amuses me. She’s adorably awkward.

I give her a tight smile.

“Then there’s nothing else to discuss here, is there? You raise an interesting point about the nudity factor. I’ll mention it in our next senior leadership meeting.”

“Oh my God, no. We weren’t discussingmewalking around naked. That was just a silly joke.” She hurries to catch up with me as I lead her outside and lock up before she can rip more of my ego to shreds. “Dude, wait. Are you really going to be weird about me not liking your baby? You’re the one who made this personal.”

Slowly, I turn and look at her, hating that I love the defiance in her eyes.

“And you’re the one who brought up parading around naked. What was I supposed to think?”Anything except about her naked.

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