Page 12 of For the Love of Animals

Nate couldn’t even pretend to be interested in the fucking nickel as she peeled the shirt over her head and flung it at him. It was all he could do to stop himself from picking it up and sniffing it like a creeper.

But there were more important things to do, such as checking out the lady herself, now on her knees beside him in jeans and a sports bra. Flat stomach with a hint of muscle, breasts he wanted to dress up in something lacy then take pleasure in freeing later, and a face that would have been beautiful if its owner didn’t look like she was sucking a hornet.

“Stop staring.”

“Querida, you just undressed in front of me.”

“Says the man standing there half-naked.”

“I don’t have a problem with you staring. Go right ahead.”

“Just shoot the damn target, cabrón.”

Crack. The nickel went flying, and Nate wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or disappointed. His inner masochist wondered if going to Carmen’s family party mightn’t be an interesting experience.

“Your show, hotshot.”

As Carmen settled onto her stomach, back arched, her golden skin glistening in the heat, Nate reached for his zipper. She glanced sideways, and her eyes widened as she did a double take.

“No! You can’t do that!”

“Why not? Is it in the rules?”

“We’re in public. Sort of.”

“Then you’d better take your shot quickly.”

Her head swivelled between him and the gun. Back and forth. Back and forth. Finally, she came to a decision.

Crack. Her nickel disappeared.

Good going. So, she could shoot under time pressure too.

Nate grinned at her and got rewarded with a flicker of a smile. Two points apiece, one shot left each. Was it bad that he was seriously considering missing on purpose? If he asked Carmen out for dinner, he bet she’d knock him back, so this family shitshow might be his only chance to spend time with her outside of work. Yes, losing would mean agreeing to take a back seat on Lozano too, but Nate already had a plan for that and it could tick along in the background while he convinced her to come around to his way of thinking. What about the dog? Surely Black knew someone who wanted a mutt—the man had connections everywhere.

The only thing getting in the way was Nate’s pride. Did he really want to lose?

When Carmen reached over and squeezed his ass, he knew his answer. A small sigh escaped his lips as he moved the barrel a quarter inch to the right and fired.

“Dammit. I missed.”

She still had her hand resting on his butt. “What? Really?”

“Yeah, but you still have to hit the dime. No big deal.”

“Okay.”

Now she bit her lip, and Nate realised she was more nervous now with a good shot at winning than before when she’d been the underdog. Carmen was a whole host of juxtapositions, all wrapped up in a perfect body. A woman in a man’s world, proud of being there but also miserable. Confident in her own abilities yet worried she still wouldn’t be good enough. Friendly yet prickly. Sexy as hell, yet she gave off this weird innocent vibe.

Nate was conflicted too. He enjoyed women’s company, but he’d always avoided any kind of commitment. Now he found himself wondering what Carmen would think of the half-built farmhouse he was renovating back home in Virginia.

Shit, she was about to take her shot. Did he give her an easy ride or go all out to make her miss? He trailed one fingertip along her cheek, her skin soft and smooth under his touch. Black always said fate led him to Emmy the night they met in London, and every time, Nate told him he was talking bullshit. But maybe the asshole was right and kismet really did exist?

Crack.

Carmen’s squeal hurt Nate’s ears, but her beaming grin made his dick harden.

“I got it.” A pause, as if she couldn’t quite believe what had happened. “I got it.”

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