Page 37 of Down & Dirty

“If you need some muscle, I’m happy to lend a hand.” I tried for a smile, but it felt more like a snarl and only made Cory and Billy laugh harder. The only saving grace to all this was that myback was to the rest of the team, so even if they’d overheard, my blatant ogling hadn’t been on display for everyone.

Cory took the few steps toward me that closed the distance, dropping his voice until only I could hear him. “I’d never turn down a hand from you, beautiful.”

The sexual inuendo that dripped through his words should have been irritating, tapping a direct line to my constant frustration with the man. But instead, they rang through me like a tuning fork. Whatever had triggered my initial reaction to seeing him, my body was still humming, and Cory’s playful antics were like expert fingers plucking at the strings of my long-lost libido.

I sighed, trying to cover the heat fanning down my torso with exasperation. “Keep it clean, Ellis.”

He laughed under his breath, the low rumble of it coming off him in waves that only drew me further in. “Yes, boss.”

The nickname thing didn’t bother me as much anymore. He’d worn me down with their near-constant use. And maybe some small part of me had started to like them. There were worse things than being calledbeautifulandgorgeous. And once he explained the logic behind calling meboss, it had never stung the same. If he meant it as a sign of respect, I’d take it as one.

I tried to remember what I was originally going to ask him when I started heading his way. “You have a bad morning?”

The frustration I’d seen on his face as he twisted that wrench returned and he glanced over his shoulder at the bike. “I might have taken a little spill.”

As soon as he said it, I noticed the dirt on his face and arms that I’d missed in my earlier sex-fueled perusal. There was a section of dried blood on his wrist and I reached for it, carefully turning it over to get a better look.

“Are you all right?”

Cory’s fingers wrapped around my hand and he gave it a squeeze. “Of course. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good, either. It’s starting to feel like Groundhog Day around here.”

There were lines around his eyes and mouth that deepened ashe looked down at where we were touching. He was running his thumb back and forth, letting out a long breath as if he’d been holding it in.

Without thinking I asked, “Why don’t we stay in tonight? I can make us something to eat and we can just relax.”

Given the nature of our relationship—and its stated purpose—staying in was hardly productive. But we’d been burning the candle at both ends and a night in sounded a hell of a lot more appealing than putting on another show around town.

By the look on Cory’s face, my suggestion was as shocking to him as it was me. But there was a relief in his eyes that hit me like a punch in the chest.

“Really? That would be...” he trailed off, his eyes falling back to our joined hands. “I’d really like that.”

“Me too,” I said, giving him a squeeze before I slipped my hand free. “I’ll come to your place around six.”

“Send me a list, I can stop on my way home.”

I shook my head, my bangs falling over one eye. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll bring everything I need.”

He smiled sheepishly. “I’ll have the wine, then.”

I spun on my heel, heading over to see my brother. “Red would be good,” I said over my shoulder.

“You got it, boss.”

CHAPTER 13

CORY

Bruce: The lack of headlines would normally unnerve me, but considering everything, I’ll take it as a good sign my Google Alert has been quiet on you.

Cory: Glad to hear it.

Bruce: Really? Surprised to hear you, of all people, say that.

Cory: Letting the dust settle, that’s all.

Bruce: You are still planning to unveil your wholesome girlfriend eventually, right? We needed to clean up your reputation, not lose it altogether.

Cory: Yes. We’re getting there.

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