Keegan sputters. “That’s the first place you think of to take me?”
I hook my thumb in a belt loop. “I’m sure it’ll be private.”
She’s still gaping at me. “Only because no one wants to be in there longer than necessary. I’m sure it smells worse than rotting ass. Gross, Ford.”
I grind my teeth. I’m so bad at this. “And where would you prefer to go?”
She scoffs. “Oh, I don’t know. How about the alley in general?”
“People might see us.”
Her eyes narrow into slits. “Are you ashamed to be seen with me?”
I swipe at the brim of my hat. “Nah, quite the opposite. I’m sure you don’t want rumors spread around town that we’re alone in a dark alcove.”
She swats at the air. “Let them gossip.”
I swing an arm toward the rear exit. “After you, lady.”
Keegan pokes a finger at my chest. “You better mean that in a genuine way.”
“Can that be considered an insult?”
“You’d be surprised,” she says and starts walking.
I follow behind, a loyal hound snarling at any guy who risks a glance at Keegan’s ass. Not that I can blame them. My gaze has barely strayed from those twin globes since she set off toward the door. But what claim do I really have? Or want, for that matter. This conversation could swirl the drain faster than I can suggest anything pleasurable. I have no idea what I’m doing here. She begins accentuating the swing of her hips, the colorful array of rhinestones winking at me, and I push my questions aside. I’ll worry about fucking up when the time comes.
We enter the alley with a clang of metal against brick. The cool air is an instant relief, whispering along my balmy skin like a siren song. My reprieve from the heat has a very short shelf life. Keegan spins on me, that same finger jabbing at me again.
“I almost forgot,” she quips. “I’m mad at you.”
“Why? What the hell did I do?”
She crosses her arms, giving me a generous visual of ample cleavage. “What didn’t you do?”
That’s fair. My list of crimes is quite long from the few instances we’ve previously clashed. But there’s no sense giving her all of that ammunition. “Tell me why you’re pissed.”
Another stab to my chest. “You’re turning my daughter against me. All she wants to do is visit your garage. I can’t get a moment’s peace.”
“Really? Huh. That’s cute.” The ice around my heart chips ever so slightly. I rub at the sting.
“Sure is, except we”—she motions between us—“don’t get along.”
“Maybe we can change that.”
She huffs out an indignant exhale. “I was willing to be nice. You weren’t.”
There’s no way I can argue that. I lift my cap, adjusting it to rest higher. Keegan should see how fucking serious I am. “I don’t want to fight.”
“Oh? Since when?”
I move forward, towering into her personal space. “Now.”
Her breath hitches. Yeah, she’s with me. “You’re very chatty all of a sudden.”
I scowl. “Talking isn’t my issue. It’s the people I don’t like.”
“Yet you stomped into a packed bar without issue.”
“Fuck that. There are plenty of problems with this situation. You don’t happen to be one of them.”
An easy grin softens her features. “Wow, that’s almost nice.”
I glare at the brick wall behind her. “Don’t get used to it.”
She tenses, squaring her shoulders. “All right, Ford. So, you randomly appeared. Again. What are you saving me from this time?”
I sigh. “Me.”
“That’s a contradiction.”
“Tell me how.” We’re close enough to touch. Every impulse I have bellows at me to reach out. But she needs to be the one. I’m not willing to push that far.
“You’re a different man tonight,” she muses. “Very…engaging.”
“Do you mean annoying? Appalling? Awful?”
Keegan laughs. “No, more like interesting. In a good way.”
That sounds promising, but unbelievable. “You’d be the only one who thinks so.”
She hums. “Well, good thing we aren’t worrying about others.”
Is she for real? If she’s yanking my chain, I’ll be an easy target. I let my gaze trail along her enticing figure. “That dress was made for you.”
“Are you being sarcastic?”
“Nope. It’s very…tempting. Like dessert after a full meal.”
“Did you already eat?”
I shake my head. “I’m famished.”
“And sexy. It’s a good look for you,” she blurts. Her eyes flare with that admission.
“Glad this isn’t one-sided.” I allow one corner of my mouth to hitch. She’ll get a whole smile if this goes well.
Her eyes blaze, an inferno set to scorch the very concrete I stand on. Sparks crackle between us and launch into the midnight sky. I see the struggle in Keegan’s taut expression, mirrored in my own. Surrender or fight. One of us has to make the choice.
Her exhale is a harsh stutter. “You’re bad news.”
“Am I?”
“The worst kind.”
The truth gnaws at my gut. Damn, we’d been heading in the right direction. “Well, shit. I don’t have a chance then?”
Keegan walks her fingers up my torso. “Don’t pout, Ford. That’s not what I meant. I just so happen to be in a rare mood for getting filthy.”
I take my own liberties, cinching an arm around her waist. “Now you’re speaking my language.”
Her eyelids get heavy, hooding those twinkling emerald gems. “I was working so hard to stay away from you.”
“What happened to your resolve?”
“You showed up and stomped all over it.” She ghosts her mouth over mine, our laboring breaths swirling together with each exhale. Keegan pulls away before I can eliminate that sliver of space. Little tease.
“So, what happens now?”
She holds up a finger. “I’m not looking for anything serious.”
I want to suck that pesky digit into my mouth. A low rumble rises off my chest instead. “Lucky for you, I’m the furthest thing from.”
“A little fun, between two consenting adults?”
“I’m game.” This plan couldn’t be better if I concocted the entire thing in my head.
She holds up another finger. “And Millie can’t know about this. Ever.” Her stare is unflinching, searing straight into my fucked-up soul. She’s likely to leave a brand if this lasts another moment.
I
