Page 12 of Bad Boy Crush

When she’d moved to the Cove a few months later, he’d liked knowing she was close enough to check on. He’d done so sparingly, and under the guise of hanging out with Brady more times than he’d ever admit. Brady had likely known the truth of it. They’d been friends since they were kids, and he was a smart guy—a smart cop. He’d noticed the tension strung between Ant and Lou when their relationship went from warm and friendly to frozen solid.

Ant hadn’t started out as a delinquent but had ended up in a rebellious stage around age sixteen—the same time Brady had. They’d been busted smoking pot in Library Park, one of many petty crimes the two boys committed that summer. They hadn’t painted penises on the building the way Evan, Donovan, and Asher had, thank God. Ant couldn’t fathom having a title like “Penis Bandits” follow him around the rest of his life. Anyway, that bust, and the subsequent community service, had drawn Brady into the world of law enforcement. Ant had spent his time finding faces and animals in the patterns of the bark on the trees.

He’d picked up a chain saw that next summer and had started trimming trees for money. It was hard work but easy cash, and he could work alone—his preference. Not many people cared for intense physical labor, but he liked being active. He also didn’t like filling out paperwork, taking tests, or studying. Dyslexic, college had been a no-go for him. He could have done it, but his learning issues made the undesirable even worse. He’d hidden his dyslexia from everyone, not wanting to share his struggles with reading and writing. He could do both, but it sure as hell wasn’t as easy as building an armoire.

Before long, he’d experimented with making chain saw art. His first piece—a bear with a butterfly on its nose—was one he could still admire as it resided in Mrs. Anderson, the librarian’s, front yard. He soon learned he could be paid well for his effort, and there were a lot of Evergreeners who were willing to pay him. Lou had fanned those flames since the day she’d met him.

She rarely missed an opportunity to tell him how talented he was, how incredible his work was, or insisting that he could sell sculptures to people all over the country. He’d laughed off the idea at first. Sure, he’d sold a wedding arch here and there—Lou included—but he didn’t know anyone who wanted a tree carved into an eagle. But Lou kept insisting, and eventually, Ant had listened. If it wasn’t for her and the value she’d placed on his work, he might never have pursued what now brought in most of his income.

He'd never forget the moment Lourdes had opened his shop door. Her generous mouth had spread into a smile right along with those killer blue eyes. She’d swept her bangs from her forehead and then shot out a hand to introduce herself. Hi. I’m Lourdes. Daniels. My fiancé and I are looking for a dining room table.

He had been interested in her, but the second he’d agreed to come to her vacation house, measure, and meet the mister, he’d had to cool his jets way, way down. He’d been managing his own expectations since.

With Liam out of the picture, he wasn’t sure what to do about Lou. She was at once the gorgeous blonde who’d graced his shop in search of a unique dining room table, and the woman who’d dismissed him in a blink. He’d never given anyone the power and space to hurt him that deeply. If he was smart, he’d have cut her out of his life to ensure she couldn’t do it again. But here they were.

He pulled into her driveway as she walked out of her front door. She was wearing a pale blue and gray floral dress paired with flat white tennis shoes. Lou was gorgeous, no doubt about it. His chest constricted when she brushed the bangs from her eyes, reminding him of the day he met her. Unlike that day, there was no “fiancé” for Ant to concern himself with. Which was why he reacted the way he did when she opened his passenger side door and climbed in.

“Goddamn.”

“Excuse me?” Her blue eyes were summer-day bright, transparent and fathomless at once. He wasn’t a poetic guy but swore he could feel his soul lean in whenever those eyes met his.

“You look hot.” He put his truck into reverse and checked over his shoulder. “That’s all.”

“Oh, is that all?” she asked with a throaty laugh.

She adjusted her skirt so that it covered her knees, which was cute in a way he couldn’t explain. Yes, she was hot. Any man could see that. But there was more to her than the curve of her breasts and the perfectly thick thighs that led to an incredible ass. She was a good friend, always making sure everyone had something to eat or drink. She lit up whenever she talked about traveling or trying anything new. And even though she had tried to “break up” with him, she’d continued to praise his efforts and talent to anyone who would listen. No other woman ever made him fantasize about the monotony of life, but Lou had shown up in his sex fantasies as well as a few where they had simply shopped for groceries together.

She flipped her hair, and the scent of honeysuckle and vanilla invaded his senses. “You smell nice too.”

“You’re full of compliments today.” She fidgeted with the straps on her purse before she almost begrudgingly added, “Thanks again. For the ride.”

“You’re welcome.”

“You look good today too. I like you in gray.”

He glanced down at his gray V-neck T-shirt, not remembering what he’d put on this morning. “This old thing?”

“I’m serious! It suits you. And your hat. Did I ever tell you I used to think you were balding and trying to hide it?”

“No.” He laughed.

“It’s long.” She reached up and touched a piece that was poking out of the back of his hat. The subtle brush of her nails against his neck sent the hairs on his arms standing on end, and not in a bad way. She pulled her hand away. “I like it.”

Well, he wasn’t cutting it now. “Are you complimenting me because you feel you have to return the favor, or because you know I like hearing it?”

Attraction crackled the air between them. He felt it, and by her silence, he guessed she did too. It was unfamiliar, but oh-so welcome.

“Do you like it?”

“Being told I look good? Of course. Don’t you?”

“I do.”

“Well, you look gorgeous today. Kinda wishing you wouldn’t have hidden those knees.” He let out a low whistle of appreciation, and she giggled in response. This was new territory for them, but so far, they were doing okay.

“I’m excited to meet Sofie in person. Donovan too. He seems like a character.”

“He’s a good guy. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”

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