Page 53 of Bad Girls Don't Marry Marines (Rock Canyon, Idaho 3)

Grinning, she settled back into the warm spray of water.

Tonight she was going to get back on the horse. No hesitation. She was going to jump in feet first, and no matter what, there’d be no regrets.

Tonight Val was going to start living again.

JUSTIN WOKE FROM his nap to the sound of Val’s door opening. There was quite a bit of rustling before the shower turned on.

Glancing at the clock, he realized he’d overslept. Dinner was at six, followed afterward by the dance Dorothy had warned them about at lunch.

Getting up out of bed, he stripped off his boxers and followed Val’s lead. His shower was scalding hot, just the way he liked it. When he got out, he’d barely pulled on a new pair of shorts before there was a knock on the adjoining door.

Padding over, he opened it to find Val, face scrubbed free of makeup and a towel on her head, smiling at him.

“Oh, sorry.”

From the devilish glint in her eye, he had a feeling she’d meant to catch him by surprise. “It’s okay. I was just getting dressed for dinner.”

“Oh, good. I actually wanted to apologize for acting like a bitch. Again. I could have handled the questions better,” she said, sighing deeply. “The truth is, I came down here because my father threatened to disinherit my little sister if I didn’t.”

“Did she deserve it?” Justin asked, contemplating what he’d do if he had a daughter like Ellie. If his daughter was acting out and running wild, he’d probably lock her up.

“Probably, but she’s my sister, and I keep hoping she’ll get her shit together,” Val said, leaning against the door frame. “I also wanted to say that if I had known you’d come by to see me, I would have called or written in a heartbeat. But he never told me you came by, and since you didn’t call, I figured it was just a night of fun.”

What was she doing? Why was she suddenly being so open?

“And I think that was it. I already told you how I didn’t love my ex-husband, so I think we’re good. Air’s all cleared. Cards on the table,” she said.

He relaxed a little. It seemed like she was trying to be real with him, but did that mean she’d changed her mind about him?

“Thank you for telling me. I was actually going to apologize to you for prying,” he said sincerely. “It was none of my business.”

Her laugh was low and smoky, putting his cock on high alert. She reached out and trailed her hand across his chest, looking up with those dark eyes, and he sucked in his breath at the open invitation.

“In my humble opinion, you should always apologize shirtless.”

He caught her hand, flattening the palm against his chest. “I don’t like playing games.”

“Who says I’m playing?” she countered, and his confusion deepened.

“You were the one saying you weren’t interested in me, but here you are again, flirting and making me think there’s a chance,” he said, ignoring the way she licked her bottom lip. Something was going on with her, and he wasn’t sure he was even interested in getting involved anymore.

Suddenly, she was plastered against his front on her tiptoes, her arms around his neck. He could feel her breasts pushing against his chest and he dipped his head toward her naturally. When she pressed her lips to his, he still didn’t touch her, afraid to move.

When she pulled back, her towel was cockeyed and she let him go. “No more games, I promise.” Adjusting her towel, she grinned and backed away from him. “I’d better finish getting ready.”

He realized she was going to kiss and dash. “Val . . .”

“I’ll see you there.”

She shut the door and he cursed, his brain going back to his dad’s favorite saying: “Trying to understand a woman is like a one-legged man trying to kick his own ass.”

AN HOUR LATER, Justin sat down at his place card and found the blonde from trivia already seated beside him. Trying to hide his disappointment, he said, “Hey, Layla.”

She looked up at him with a relieved smile. “Hey, Justin.” She craned her neck around and whispered, “Where’s Valerie?”

“Not sure,” he said, looking at the place card next to him, a name he didn’t recognize.

“There she is. Oh wow!”

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