Page 50 of Flirting With Fire
“Cal, climb off the damn ledge. It was an accident.” Now he sounded exasperated.
“So you say,” Cal growled.
“Did I threaten you with the cops when you ran me over with the ATV? I got more than a bloody nose then.”
“That wasn’t my fault.”
“Whose fault was it?”
I grinned at Dex’s blunt comment. I walked into the kitchen and stared at Cal. “Yeah, Cal, whose fault was it?”
Cal glowered at us both and threw his hands up in the air. “Fine. Fine. Whatever! Don’t hurt him again!”
“Right back atcha,” I said pointedly.
“It’s like being a juicy bone between two dogs,” Dex muttered.
“Get out of here,” Cal snarled.
Ten minutes later we were bouncing down the road back to town.
I turned to study him. His nose looked only slightly pink now. “How does it feel?”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about Cal. He’s not a gossip.”
“I’m not worried,” I said, although I knew Cal could do me real damage if he dropped the word in the right ear.
Dex shot me a look which said he knew I was talking out of my ass. “Okay, but he’s just looking out for me.”
“I get that, and I’m glad you’ve had someone on your side. We all need a friend like Cal.”
“He’s like that cranky old uncle who’s always bitching at you but would help you out in a heartbeat.” He gave a wry smile. “Cal will always tell me what I’ve done wrong, though, to make it clear he’s always right. He’s a bit like my sister.”
I was kind of jealous. I never had a sibling relationship and while my uncle was always cranky with me, I’d never be convinced he would have my back. We were like apples and oranges. How my easy-going happy mom had ended up with a brother like Mark, I’ve no idea.
It didn’t take long to pull into Mom’s cul-de-sac. As Dex stopped outside her home, he said, “When are you going to move in?”
“Over the weekend,” I said. “I’d like to spend a few more days with Mom. I’m on call both days, but I should have time to move everything over and buy what I need.”
Was that disappointment in his expression? I wasn’t sure. I didn’t want to force myself on him, but I also wanted him to know I was still interested—no scrap that—I wanted to drizzle chocolate sauce over Dex and eat him up with a spoon.
“Call me if you need me to provide anything,” Dex said lightly, but I heard an edge to his voice. Did he think I was brushing him off?
“I’m working late tonight, but if you want to catch up tomorrow, I finish at six.”
Dex smiled at me, and his expression eased. “I’ll call you.”
“You do that.” I leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks for last night.”
He turned his head and gave me a kiss on the mouth, which sent tingles straight to my groin. “You’re welcome.”
I didn’t want to leave, but we both had work to do, and I didn’t want to be late. One more kiss, and I forced myself out of his truck. “Later.”
“Tomorrow,” he corrected.
“Tomorrow,” I agreed.
I watched Dex drive away. Boyfriend. Yeah, I liked that idea a lot.
