Page 6 of Pretty Wild

He nods. “Yet, you still left it in my truck.”

A wild sound comes from my throat. It’s a cross between a gasp and a growl, and if he’s supposed to be intimidated by it, he’s clearly not. Not if the smirk on his too-kissable lips is any indication. My eyes narrow into little slits.

“Listen, buster, I grew up in LA. I don’t need some country bumpkin giving me advice on security and protecting my identity,” I reprimand, my bright pink-and-silver French-manicured nail poking him in the middle of his hard chest, right over his crossed arms.

His hazel eyes drop down to where my nail digs into the cotton of his T-shirt. A cocky smirk spreads across his mouth, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Well, Princess, I don’t give a rat’s ass where you’re from. Ya might want to take better care of your shit.”

Then, he takes a step back, dislodging my finger from his shirt. “I’ll have that tire patched up first thing in the morning and will get it dropped off to you by ten. That sound good?”

My throat is completely dry, and I have the sudden desire to fidget with my fingers. Crossing my own arms, I level him with an indifferent gaze. “Fine. Great.”

He stares at me for a few seconds before nodding once. “See ya in the morning, Ryan.”

“Thank you,” I say because I’m a polite person and I do appreciate him fixing and delivering my rental SUV, but I don’t appreciate his condescending tone.

I close the door, refusing to peek through the little hole in the door to watch him go. He might have a great ass in a pair of worn denim, but his self-righteous attitude makes me want to punch the smug little smirk off his face. And despite what has been printed about me in the tabloids a time or two, I amnota violent person.

After making sure the door is locked, I move to the kitchen and set my purse on the counter. There’s a detailed list ofimportant information on the counter, including the Wi-Fi password, so I quickly take a moment to enter the access info into my phone. As soon as I do, chimes echo through the room as texts, emails, and missed calls hit my device.

I sigh, knowing many of the texts and missed calls I’ll be ignoring, and pull up the texting app. I ignore all of them except the one from my dad.

Dad

Please let me know you made it safely; I don’t care what time it is. Love you.

Smiling, I type out a reply.

Me

Made it. Cell service isn’t great, but as long as I’m at the cabin, I have Wi-Fi.

The bubbles appear immediately.

Dad

Good deal. Do you need anything? I can have Rosemary overnight whatever it is.

Me

I’m good for now, Dad. Thank you though.

Dad

My phone has been buzzing all day. Vaughn is looking for you.

Me

I don’t care. I said what I needed to say and that’s that.

Dad

I understand, honey. Just wanted you to know he’s looking for you.

Me

Please don’t tell him where I am. I made it all the way here without anyone recognizing me.

Dad

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