Page 15 of Things Good Girls Don't Do (Rock Canyon, Idaho 1)

“Oh yeah? And how does it benefit me for the whole town to know we’re dating or hooking up or whatever you have in mind?” Her eyes almost crossed with lust as he moved his hips into hers again, causing a throbbing ache between her legs.

“Maybe because people will stop seeing you as this perfect little miss with no substance and start taking you seriously.” He swirled his hips against her again and she had the urge to jump him, wrap her legs around his waist and grind back.

But she wasn’t going to. No, she was going to take the high road, resist temptation . . . as soon as she could get him to stop that grinding motion.

“People do not think that about me,” she said, grabbing his hips.

He snorted. “They think you’re a kitten. A ball of fluff that they can push around. But I see you when you think no one notices. You’ve got a spark inside you, and if you let me, I can make you burn.”

Her breath caught as his voice lowered. She tried to remain in control, but the images and feelings he brought to mind were not helping her resolve. “God, you think a lot of yourself. So I’m getting all this great exposure that’s going to make my life better. What do you get?”

He leaned down, putting his mouth a hairsbreadth from her ear. “I get to do something I’ve been thinking about since the first time you walked past me with your little nose in the air and that sweet-ass swaying.”

She pushed at his shoulders. “You’re a pig.”

Laughing, he went back to his side of the kitchen. “Oh come on, you are wound too tight. You need to relax and just have a fun. You do know what that is, don’t you?”

Grabbing her pizza, she shoved some in her mouth, biting down aggressively. “Of course. I have fun all the time. I am the epitome of fun.”

He grabbed a Coke from the counter and laughed. “Whatever you say, Firecracker.”

“Firecracker? Why Firecracker?” she asked, ignoring the giddy thrill the nickname gave her.

“’Cause you’re all wrapped up, just waiting for someone to light your fuse and make you heat up, start to lose control and finally, explode,” he said, grinning as he popped his Coke lid and took a swig.

“And you think that someone’s going to be you?” she asked.

“I like my odds,” he said.

“Are you always so sure of yourself?” she asked.

“No, but I don’t think I’d still be here if you weren’t a little interested,” he said, taking a bite of his pizza.

Watching him while she gnawed absently on her own slice, she considered his proposal. It would be nice to have somebody to call up to hang out with, and not have to sit at home twiddling her thumbs. She was fun, except she hadn’t really met anyone to be fun with. Almost every weekend she went with Steph to Buck’s or Hank’s Bar, or to the movies, but she was sick and tired of playing third wheel with Steph and Jared. Even when Jus

tin Silverton, Jared’s best friend, came along, she could never think of Justin in that way. Not that he wasn’t nice to look at, being a former marine and already quite hunky, but he had never been more than just one of the gang. He certainly didn’t make her heart pound or her palms sweat like Chase. Maybe he was exactly what she needed. Someone who wouldn’t lie to her about what he wanted, and who she wouldn’t dream about getting serious with.

Lord knew her mother would have disapproved. It was a sobering thought, her mother. She would have definitely told her to steer clear of Chase.

She also doesn’t have to spend her nights alone with a fat black cat and whatever bad reality crap is on TV. She would want you to be happy and live your life, not mope around because your plan A didn’t work.

Mind made up, she threw the paper plate into the trash and asked, “So say I’m interested. What are the ground rules?”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Rules? We have to have rules?”

“Of course there need to be rules. For instance, this is going to be fun. Casual. So no holding hands. No kissing in public. No romantic gestures like flowers or chocolates,” she said, counting off each item on her finger.

Chuckling, he said, “Ah, Firecracker, I have never made a romantic gesture in my life. And I’m not exactly the type to skip about town holding hands and playing footsy under the table.”

That’s not true. Going to the grocery store for a woman because she forgot is pretty romantic and chivalrous. She didn’t mention it, though. Instead she ignored his sarcasm and continued, “And if and when we . . . you know, it will be on my terms, and I don’t want you spreading it around to your buddies at Buck’s.”

He lost his smile. “First of all, if you’re old enough to ‘do it,’ then you should be able to say it. Sex. Screw. Laid. Fu—”

She slapped her hand over his mouth and growled, “Stop. Don’t be vulgar.”

Reaching up, he removed her hand and nibbled on her palm. “Stop acting like such a stick. I’m not the type of guy to kiss and tell.”

Jerking her hand back, Katie snapped, “I’m sorry I impugned your honor, but I’m not used to this. I wasn’t raised for this, and I certainly wasn’t prepared for you. It reminds me of my first internship in college, at the police station.” She could tell by the surprised lift of his brow that he didn’t believe her. “What? I wanted to be a cop. I even took a class on firearms and takedown tactics.”

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