Page 41 of Things Good Girls Don't Do (Rock Canyon, Idaho 1)

“I think ‘Barmaid, get me a beer’ sounds better,” he said, pulling his jeans up and zipping them with a grin. “Too bad I don’t keep beer in the Blazer.”

“You’re incorrigible,” she said.

Gathering up his socks and shoes, he crawled into the driver’s seat and said, “No, I’m recidivous.”

Katie blinked at him. “What does that mean?”

Giving her a smacking kiss, he said, “Incorrigible.”

“You think you’re so smart,” she said, fighting back a smile.

“And I’ve got the college degree to prove it, Firecracker.” He had managed to pull on his socks; they were pretty soaked, but he could deal. His shoes were a bit harder to finagle in the cramped space, but he finally managed and put the keys in the ignition.

As he started the engine, he looked out into the blurry landscape and could hardly see even with the wipers on. The rain was really coming down hard.

“I can’t believe I lost my panties. What if I dropped them along the trail?” she said.

He grinned. “Then some lucky teenage boy will find them and use them when he gets”—she smacked him and he rubbed his shoulder—“ow, cold! I was going to say he could use them for a hat.”

“Sure you were,” she said dryly.

He wiggled his eyebrows and fingers at her. “Besides, I like you this way. Easy

access.”

She sat back with a groan and said, “Let’s go before you make me late. If I get an earful from Mrs. Andrews, I’m going to make you suffer.” As if anticipating his naughty comeback, she added, “And not in a good way.”

Chase backed up the SUV, laughing, and the car struggled along the muddy back road. He kicked it up to four-wheel drive and joked, “I guess I see now why everyone drives big redneck trucks around here.”

“Didn’t you have the same type of thing where you grew up? Nevada isn’t so different from Idaho,” she said.

The car swerved as it fought for traction along the bumps and grooves of the road. “I was more of an indoor man. Played a lot of video games. I’d draw and write. I think the only thing I did outside was swim. Loved swimming.” He leered. “Especially naked.”

As they started along the uphill slope of the canyon, his hands gripped the steering wheel nervously. The one-lane road was a smoother ride than the bottom had been, but still, the cliff growing beside his window made his palms sweat.

“Are you scared of heights?” she asked.

“No. Why?” he said.

“Because you’re white knuckling that wheel,” she said.

Loosening his grip a little, he felt a rush of relief as they made it to the top.

He looked over at Katie, who had a little smile on her face, and slid his hand over to rest it on her knee.

“What are you smiling about?” he asked.

She turned that seductive smile on him and reached down to cover his hand with hers. “Nothing. Just you.”

Trying to concentrate on the road was difficult with her hand over his. “What about me?”

She shrugged. “I’m just really happy right now. I’ve been so miserable trying to make it, trying to survive one day at a time, but with you, I can just relax and have fun. Be myself.” She squeezed his hand and added, “You are the reason I’m smiling. So thank you.”

He turned his hand over and laced his fingers through hers. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d held hands with a woman, but with Katie it felt right. Her palm was warm and soft against his, and he trailed his thumb over her silky skin.

The last few miles, Chase shifted his eyes from the road to look over at the woman who was beginning to get to him. Her smile, which brightened every room she entered. Her laugh, sometimes accompanied by the cutest snort at the end, and when it escaped, her cheeks would turn pink, which he thought was adorable. How unselfishly she put other’s feelings before her own, even the ones who didn’t deserve it.

He pulled into the parking lot of the community center and parked by the back entrance. Katie unlocked her seat belt and started to get out, but he reached across to stop her. She smiled at him in that soft, happy way and he had to kiss her, had to show Katie she was the most amazing woman he’d ever been with and that he didn’t want anyone else.

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