Page 18 of Hot Shot

“Well,” she finally says. “Who knew you were such an artist?”

“Hell, I don’t know if I’d call myself an artist.” I shrug. “Like I said, I do it to stay busy.” I pause. “Would you like something to drink?”

Her smile is unusually soft. “I think I’ve had enough to drink tonight. I’d better get home.”

“Sure.” My pride deflates. “I’ll take you. Come on.”

I follow her back through the house, her high heels clicking on the wooden floor, allowing my gaze to wander from her slender ankles up over the curves of her legs and that perfect little ass swaying in the snug dress. My groin tightens.

With a sigh, I lockup, leaving the lights on.

“Where do you get the metal that you work on?” she asks as I drive through quiet streets.

“From a steel recycler. I buy big sheets of it.”

“I’d love to watch you work on something.”

So, this is the secret to Carrie’s . . . er . . . not heart. I don’t want her heart. But maybe this will help me get her into my bed. “Sure,” I say casually. “Any time. What are you up to tomorrow?”

“Ugh. Tomorrow’s a busy day. My mom, sister, and I are going to visit my grandma. She lives in an assisted-living home.”

“Ah.”

“And I’m going to work on the guest list for the engagement party. And if I have time, I thought I’d stop by a couple of party stores and check out ideas for decorations.”

“Right. The party.”

I pull up in front of the condominium complex she directs me to in Bay Ho. It’s a nice building, from what I can see in the dark—modern and neat with big palm trees shading grassy areas lined with flowers and shrubs.

“I’ll walk you in.” I turn off the engine.

“That’s okay.” She hops out before I can get there. “This is my place right here.” A light illuminates the front door. “Thanks for the ride. And thanks for showing me your etchings.” She grins.

I don’t want to let her go. I want to get back to that blazing hot kiss we shared on the dance floor at Delirium. My body pulses with need for her. But she said not tonight . . . and much as I want to persuade her otherwise, I’ve never in my life pushed a woman into having sex with me. Hell, I’ve never had to.

And especially not a woman who’s half drunk.

We pause on the sidewalk. I study her face in the glow of a nearby streetlamp. “You’re welcome. So next week maybe we should get together and review party plans.”And fuck each other blind . . .

“Sure.” She sounds a little breathless, her lips parted, a pulse fluttering in her throat.

Maybe it wouldn’t be that hard to convince her . . .

“I’ll text you.” My casual tone of voice belies the heat flooding my veins. “Good night, Carrie.”

I return to my Jeep but sit there watching her. She hesitates, then hurries to her door and lets herself in. After the door closes, I bang my forehead on the steering wheel. Once again I apologize to my aching dick. “Just wait till we get home, buddy. I’ll take care of you.”

5

CARRIE

“I’m nobody.”

I swallow a sigh. “You’re not nobody, Mom.”

“I am.”

I put on my blinker and do a shoulder check to change lanes so I can exit onto the street where Grandma Garner lives.

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