Page 54 of Return of the Bad Girl (Rock Canyon, Idaho 4)

No, instead, the seed had been planted and firmly had taken root. Weeks of fantasizing and daydreaming about Gabe’s body, his kiss, and his touch had been tormenting her, and now that she had tasted a sample, well . . .

Now, Caroline wanted Gabe in a bad, down-and-dirty, not-coming-up-for-air-for-days kinda way.

“Just what?” Val said. “Come on, stop holding out on me. I know there is something going on with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Pierced. He has this almost dangerous edge about him—”

“He’s not dangerous, okay?” Caroline hadn’t meant to snap, but she didn’t like her sister describing Gabe that way. He wasn’t dangerous, no matter how many times he’d told her he was bad news.

Val looked like Caroline had just kicked her dog. “Okay, I was only teasing.”

“No, I’m sorry. He’s just . . . weird.”

Val’s lips twitched like she was fighting a smile, and Caroline was happy her sister’s good mood was restored.

“Weird is not the word I would use to describe him, but to each her own,” Val said.

It wasn’t Caroline’s first choice either, but she really wasn’t prepared to share her innermost thoughts and feelings on Gabe, especially when she wasn’t even sure what her feelings were, beyond wanting to jump his bones.

“Where did you get that painting?” Val asked, looking at something over Caroline’s shoulder.

“What paint—” Caroline paused as she studied the landscape canvas, taking in the beauty of the strokes. The mountains were a steely gray with white caps, sparsely covered by green trees. Clouds almost seemed to float over the light blue sky, and the green valley appeared lush and wild at the base of the mountain.

Caroline stood up and walked over to the painting. In the corner were the initials HM.

Who was HM?

“Well?” Val prodded.

“It’s not mine,” Caroline said, admiring the close-up details. “It’s Gabe’s.”

“Huh, I wonder if he could get me one. It’s gorgeous.”

Yeah,” Caroline said. Curiouser and curiouser.

“So, do you want to come over to Justin’s for dinner tonight?”

“Hmmm.” It was on the tip of Caroline’s tongue to say no thanks, but Val added, “You have hardly been around Justin, and I want you to like him. Come on. Everett is a fantastic cook and—”

“Who’s Everett?” Caroline walked back over to the couch and sat down, absently wondering whether or not Gabe would tell her who H. M. was if she asked.

“Justin’s older brother.”

“Justin’s older brother, me, and you? Are you trying to set me up or something?” Caroline asked, amused.

Val actually laughed. “You and Everett? God, no. Justin’s dad will be there and Ellie too.”

Unease settled in the pit of Caroline’s stomach. “Why are you laughing? Is thinking that my practically engaged sister might try to play matchmaker for me really so wild an idea?”

“No, it’s just . . . Sorry, but . . . Everett is this super-nice guy, but he’s kind of . . . emotionally damaged, and you’re . . .”

“I’m what?” Caroline asked, glaring at her sister. “I’m not nice?”

“No, you’re secure in yourself and who you are. You’re strong and you’re successful, and I just think he needs someone a little more . . . nurturing.”

Caroline had been taking care of kittens for over a week—getting up with them, feeding them, making them poo, for God’s sake—but she wasn’t nurturing?

“Right,” Caroline said, smoothing her hair out of her eyes as she stood. “I’m an ice queen. I forgot.”

“Caroline, that’s not what I—”

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