Page 5 of The Trouble With Attraction (Rock Canyon, Idaho 6)

“Jesus, will you calm the fuck down? You are such a drama queen!”

It wasn’t the first time she’d been called a drama queen and it probably wouldn’t be the last. In fact, normally she would have agreed and laughed it off.

But this man picked on her, made fun of her, and humiliated her every time they met, and she was done with it.

So, he wanted to have it out, huh? She would make him regret it.

* * *

Eric could tell Gracie was spoiling for a fight and maybe he deserved her wrath, but bidding on her was the only way he could think to get her alone. After all, he had promised to make it his mission to wear down her defenses.

And he couldn’t do that in a crowd of writhing bodies.

“I told you to stay away from me,” she said.

“I chose to ignore your threat. Decided to take a chance that maybe you didn’t mean it.”

“Oh, I meant it. In fact, I am looking for a weapon of some kind.”

Eric snorted. “Fine, you wanna go? There’s the door. I was crazy to think there might be anything more to you than a flighty, self-involved tease.”

“I have never teased you!” she hollered, nearly busting his eardrums.

“Really? Because I remember a black cat costume ten years ago, and you rubbing your body all over mine, trying to score some drinks.”

“I was not rubbing my body all over you, and I wasn’t looking to score alcohol. If I’d wanted to drink, I’d have gone to a party, where I wouldn’t have had to use a fake ID or deal with a colossal jerk!”

“Then why did you sneak into Bucks that night?” he asked.

He waited for her to answer, taking in her deep, crimson blush and shifty eyes.

“Gracie Lou?”

“Okay, fine, you want to know? I may have had a little crush on you. It was no big deal, and besides, it was ten years ago. I got over it really quick anyway once I realized what a ginormous ass hat you are.”

He took a step towards her, his blood pumping head through his veins. “So, you got all dressed up and broke the law just to see me?” He grinned at her wickedly. “I’m flattered.”

“Oh, God, don’t be. Really. I learned my lesson, and now, I revile you.”

“Do you?” He took another step towards her, and ran the tips of his fingers from her bare shoulder to her wrist. Goosebumps popped up along her skin and her lips parted, a soft breath escaping.

“Would it surprise you if I told you that reviling you is the last thing on my mind?”

Her hands came up, splaying against his chest and he thought she was going to push him away, but they just lay there.

“That’s because you’re a guy. You’ll tap pretty much anything with breasts, even if you don’t like the woman beneath.”

“Not true. I would not tap Mrs. Andrews, ever.”

She made a disgusted face even as she laughed. “Ugh, thanks for those nightmares.”

Eric reached up and traced her smiling lips. “I think that is the first time you’ve ever laughed just for me.”

“I laugh at you all the time,” she said, but her words lacked their normal bite.

“Maybe, but you aren’t laughing at me now.” He dipped his head, rubbing his nose gently against hers.

“No, I’m not.”

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