Page 35 of Mr. Flirt

“How do you know?”

“It’s a gift.”

I chuckled and watched my sister. She was always so happy. Granted, I always tried to engineer her life like that growing up, and once she hit adulthood, I loved spoiling her. But maybe she was so happy in life because she’d had good sex, and it propelled her into happiness.

I wouldn’t know whether getting your world rocked was a mood lifter.

Shep’s mischievous grin danced its way into my thoughts, along with the funny thing he’d mentioned about his sister.

“You know, he told me his sister and her friends all found their Mr. Rights by dating their Mr. Wrongs. It all started on a dare and went out of control.”

“Yeah?”

I nodded. “Maybe that’s what I need to do. Just date Shep, knowing he’s completely wrong for me.”

My sister shook her head and set her glass down. She’d only taken a few sips.

“Lucy, I’m going to be honest. You’re overthinking things. Just sleep with him, and don’t look at it as anything more than fulfilling a physical need.”

I nodded, knowing that wasn’t how my mind worked. That was the problem. I couldn’t have a true physical connection unless I had an emotional one first, and that had yet to truly happen. How could I groan and moan and slosh around with someone if I couldn’t trust them? If I didn’t know their deepest secrets and their dreams?

I groaned and put my head in my hands. “I’m a lost cause.”

Mae laughed as I straightened. “Your bar guy likes to be challenged. I can tell. He’ll probably reward you for making it more difficult.”

I scowled. “I’m not a dog looking for treats for good behavior.”

She smiled and let out a happy sigh. “You’re a tough nut to crack, and I’m your sister. Imagine what these poor men feel like talking to you.”

I chuckled. “Well, they don’t. Most of the time.”

But Shep did, and he didn’t take crap from me. He could spin it around and make me laugh, whatever it was.

My doorbell rang, and I nearly shot from my seat.

“He’s early. I’m not ready. The guards were supposed to call when Shep drove up.”

“You look beautiful.” She stood and stretched. “And the gatehouse was pretty packed when I went through. They probably just forgot.”

I smoothed my hands over my jeans as Mae wandered to the door.

“Let’s get this over with,” I muttered, wishing I believed my words.

But the truth of it was that I was bouncing with excitement just thinking about seeing Shep again.

And that went against everything I stood for.

My sister swung open the door, and Shep smiled.

“Hey, good to see you again. Mae, right?” He smiled as she nodded.

He looked over my sister’s shoulder, and his expression immediately changed. He went from happy-go-lucky to smoldering.

Or was it in my head?

“Good luck, pretty boy. My sister already doubts she’ll see you after tonight.” She winked at him and shut the door behind her while I stood frozen.

Why did she say that?

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