Page 49 of Bossy Hero

She tugs open the bag. “A treat. If you’re nice, I’ll share.”

“And if I’m naughty?” I ask, too buzzed to bite my tongue.

Her eyes dart to her son and his friends on the other side of the fire, and it reminds me we have an audience.

“I’m going to ignore that remark.” She tosses a bite into her mouth, then places the open baggie on her blanket-covered lap. After she swallows, she reaches for the glass. “Wine, please.”

“What’s it worth to you?” I goad her, holding the drink just out of reach.

She arches one brow, eyeing me down. “That depends. What are your demands?”

Shit. What do I say to that? It’s been so fucking long that I can’t remember how to flirt.

Fuck it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

“A kiss,” I whisper, keeping my voice low enough to not be overheard.

Her lips purse, drawing my focus to where I want to put all my attention for the rest of the night.

Well,oneof the places I want to worship. There are a few more spots that need my TLC.

She draws her tongue over her lips, leaving them slick and even more enticing. “On the forehead? Cheek? Or...” The words practically purr their way out of those kissable lips.

My brain malfunctions. “How about the tip of your adorable red nose?”

“Okaaay,” she drawls, clearly confused by what came out of my mouth. “That’s... um... not what I expected you to say.”

He shoots. He misses.

I’m here to report that flirting is nothing like riding a bike. If you do not use this skill, you will lose it. Plan accordingly, friends.

Uncharacteristically flustered, I hand her the wineglass and attempt to cover up my fail. “Kidding.”

Our fingers graze as she takes it from me, creating a trail of sparks that sneak up my arm toward my chest. She lets her hand linger, prolonging the contact.

As the seconds tick by, I fall further under her spell. I can’t tell whether it’s from the fire pit or the heat between us. Either way, I’m at her mercy and willing to burn on her command.

She finally takes the glass from my hand. “Probably for the best you didn’t try to kiss my nose. Or any other part of my face. No matter how nice the proposition may sound.” Lifting the wine to her mouth, sheattemptsto hide her seductive grin. “Can’t be seen kissing my son’s future boss, now can I?”

Maddie is significantly better at flirting than I am.

Rather than picking the low-hanging fruit, I respond to her other comment. The one about her son coming to work for me.

I toss back a swig of my beer. “Leo told you about my job offer, huh?”

“He did.” She nibbles on more of her treat—the one she’s still not sharing—then washes it down with a demure sip of wine. “Nothing like hearing he’s planning to move to a different state on the same day he returns from more than a decade in the service.”

I narrow my eyes at her, wishing I could get a better read on her whiplash-inducing mood. This whole day has been a fucking mess where Maddie is concerned. First, my surprise appearance almost set off fireworks in her dining room. Then she doused me with buckets of cold water all night, shooting me down every chance she got. In the last few minutes, she’s gone from making flirty eyes at me to snarking and making me think she’s pissed about the job offer.

My head is spinning. And it’s only partially due to the booze.

Clearly, I’ve had enough to drink, so I set my beer bottle down on the ground. “Are you mad about him coming to work for me?”

She averts her gaze from mine, finishing her wine in a large gulp. “I’m not sure. Haven’t decided yet.” After tugging her focus from the bottom of her glass, she turns those heavenly eyes on me. “Will I need to worry about him every single day like I’ve been doing? Can you promise he’ll be safe, Alan?”

She called me Alan again.

Fuck, I needed that.

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