I catch sight of her at the end of the block and jog to catch up. Her ass is held captive in a pencil skirt that’s tight enough to reveal zero panty lines. She sways her hips in a hypnotic strut that has my feet tripping over themselves. An overhead awning casts shadows across her red hair, setting the strands on fire. The sight has me completely enamored. As if I wasn’t far enough gone already. I have no doubt my tongue is dragging across the concrete as I eliminate the remaining distance between us.
As if sensing my presence, she spins on her heel and pins me with a glare. “Why are you following me?”
“That’s a silly question, Savannah. After I dumped my emotions all over you, it’s sufficient to assume you’re stuck with me.” Am I bordering on pathetic? Maybe. Do I care about softening the sharp edges on my image? Not for the woman currently frowning at me.
“Don’t you have a company to run?”
“Yes,” I supply with a casual grin. Those flippant expressions are another thing I’m finding easier to reveal where this woman is concerned. “The sooner you agree to help me, the faster I can get started on the expansion.”
“Is this an elaborate scheme to get me in your clutches?” Vannah narrows her eyes.
I whip off my sunglasses so she can see the honestly in mine. This isn’t the first time she’s doubt my intentions. I’m certain it won’t be the last. “I’ve determined that lying, cheating, and stealing aren’t going to do me any favors.”
“Damn straight,” she agrees.
A large group approaches from the crosswalk, shoving us closer together. I use the opportunity to take a liberty by ghosting a thumb along her jaw. “This is a convenient way to keep me local while we work out our differences.”
“Which could take months.” She flutters her lashes when I grunt. “There are plenty of other steps you can accomplish before buying a building.”
“I’m not interested in doing any of that.”
“Must be nice having billionaire status to fall back on when you’re just schlepping the streets bothering an unsuspecting woman who’s trying to go about her schedule.” She’s the only person who can get away with railing on me. At every opportunity, she uses that leverage to her advantage. I allow it because she’s proven to be a special case.
Another easy smile tugs at my mouth. “It certainly allows for flexibility when needed.”
Vannah parks a fist on her cocked hip, probably frustrated that she hasn’t successfully ruffled my feathers. “What are you doing chasing me around town all hours of the day?”
I tuck some hair behind her ear. “Priorities.”
Her breath hitches, the sound more arousing than a fist pumping my cock. Then she takes it one step farther by leaning into my touch. The urge to steal a kiss gnaws at me.
Vannah shuffles her feet, our toes nudging. “Careful, Mr. Winters. I might mistake you for a closet romantic.”
“Can I be a dirty one?” Her floral scent feeds my lungs as I draw in a long breath. I could get high off her if she’d allow it.
“As if there’s another choice.”
An invitation like that isn’t meant to be wasted. I’ve come to discover compliments go much farther than insults with her. Who would’ve thought, huh? That’s a lesson the old man forgot to teach me.
I eliminate the narrow gap still separating us with a palm against her ass. The embrace is intimate, one for lovers. I no longer want to fight that implication. People should believe we’re a couple. I’m finding comfort in the visual we portray. I bend low enough to dust my mouth over the shell of her ear.
“You’re exquisite, Savannah. The hold you have on me is boundless and permanent. I’m haunted by memories you refuse to repeat. When your skin flushes scarlet as I enter you. The call you give at the peak of pleasure. A mere gleam from your gaze tangling me in knots. Satin touches against my flesh. Our bodies recognizing what we weren’t ready to accept.” I curl my palm around her nape, squeezing gently. She purrs and tips her head skyward. Our lips are close enough to brush. “I’ll never tire of this chase.”
As if suddenly realizing who I am and where we are, Vannah pulls away. The loss is like an ice bath. She jabs a finger into my chest, widening her eyes when I flex and effectively deflect the attack. “A tiger doesn’t suddenly start wearing spots. You can’t just wake up one morning and decide to be a different person.”
I grab her wrist, twinging our hands together. “I certainly can if it’s been a long time coming. You’ll never believe me unless you grant yourself permission.”
Green eyes skewer into mine, searching for several moments. There’s no deceit to be found. Nothing dishonorable or treacherous. It might come as a shock after months of viewing only hateful objectives. I only want to reflect my genuine devotion.
“Fine,” she relents on a sigh. “I’ll go on a date with you. It doesn’t mean anything, though. Mostly I just want you off my back.”
“And on your front instead?”
Vannah’s harsh mask cracks, allowing a grin to peek through. “You can be quite funny.”
With a bent knuckle, I trace the blush on her cheek. “With a captivated audience, I’m inspired to be much more than that.”
“I’m only agreeing to an innocent outing. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
The victory is still mine to gain. I almost shout for all to hear—stupid as that might be. This girl turns me into a fool. I don’t mind a single iota. “Does this mean I’m still a member of The Haters Club?”
She bites her bottom lip. “We might not be enemies forever.”
“That’s the fantasy keeping me up at night.” I wink at her, and she groans. Might as well push my luck. “Can I join you for coffee?”
The odds that she’ll agree are about fifty-fifty. She squints at me, weighing the bets rolling in. “Will that count as our date?”
I snort. “Not a chance.”
A slim brow quirks at me. “Then what are you suggesting?”
“Baseball,” I blurt.
“Do you already have the tickets?” Her features crease further. “You assumed I’d be convinced.”
I shrug while studying the traffic bottlenecked at the intersection. “We’ll get them at the stadium.”
“Those leftover seats are most often nosebleeds.”
“I’m not interested in the game, Savannah. Only the company I have every intention to keep matters.”
Vannah is quiet for a moment, her lips twisting to one side. Then a wide smile replaces the pucker. “I have a better idea.”
Landon crosses his arms while stabbing me with a glare. Well, I assume he’s glaring. It’s impossible to tell behind those mirrored shades. “Tell me you’re joking.”
I lift my foot onto the small tire. Stilettos will make this a real adventure. “Afraid not, Lannie. These bad boys belong to us for the next two hours.”
The early afternoon crowd at Lake Calhoun is thriving with energy. That thrum soaks into my bare arms and I let out a long sigh. Between the sun glittering on the water’s surface to the cheerful chatter from everyone walking by, my mood is getting a bright boost. The grump hovering in my periphery only increases that bump.