Page 46 of Bragg's Love

When he hollers my name again, I speed up but my short legs have nothing on his long ones. Long legs I’ve spent way more time than I should fantasizing about. Are they covered in hair? Will he enjoy it if I run my fingernails down his thighs?

Knock it off, Eden. These thoughts of sex with Miller need to stop. But since I’ve gotten a taste of him, they’ve only increased. Dang it.

He cuts in front to block me. I cross my arms over my chest and glare up at him. He grins down at me. Why is he grinning? What is he up to?

He tugs on a strand of my hair. “Purple. Looks good.”

I roll my eyes. He’s full of shit. He’s spent the past two years making jokes about my hair color.

“Whatever,” I mumble and bat his hand away. “What do you want?”

He stuffs his hands in his pockets and his biceps bulge with the action.

“What are you doing wearing a t-shirt? It’s barely March,” I complain before I give into temptation and touch those biceps.

“Are you worried I’m going to catch a cold?”

“No.” I scoff. “I’m worried you’ll get sick and spread your disease all over Winter Falls.”

“There are other things I’d rather spread.” He winks.

“Ew.” I pretend disgust even as I feel my cheeks warm as I think about things he could spread. Things such as my legs before he dives— I force those thoughts out of my mind. No more thinking about the man and sex in the same sentence.

He hates me. Worse yet, he pities me. Plus, he opened my mail without my permission. This town isn’t good at understanding privacy, but opening someone’s mail goes beyond invading privacy and straight to violating rights territory.

“Ahem. I need to apologize.”

I raise my eyebrows. This ought to be good.

“I didn’t mean to open your letter.”

“Saying you didn’t mean to open the letter is not an apology, grumpykins.”

Moon pokes her head out of the meeting room. “We’re about to begin.”

“Gotta go, grumpy bear.”

“See you later.”

“Not if I see you first.”

I enter the meeting room to discover everyone is still milling around. I approach Moon and don’t hesitate to interrupt her conversation with Lilac. “What the hell, Moon? The meeting isn’t about to begin.”

She shrugs. “Today’s not my day.”

Lilac purses her lips. “You’re not betting on your friend, are you?”

“Duh. Of course, I am. I already picked up the malt machine I’m going to buy with the winnings.”

I plant my hands on my hips. “Did I bother you when you were doing your dance with Riley?”

“No. You were too busy warming up for your dance with Miller.”

“No, I wasn’t. This is not the Miller and Eden story.”

She winks. “Sure, it isn’t.”

“It’s time to start the meeting,” Lilac announces before I have a chance to school my friend.

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