“I haven’t seen you around here before. What’s your name?” she asked, batting her eyelashes.
I frowned. Was this really how things worked these days? Picking up men at the park? I was used to this kind of attention, but it usually came in the form of a drunken pick-up line at the bar. I hadn’t expected it in the middle of a playground.
“Uh, Percy,” I said, my voice clipped. Not downright unfriendly, but she should have gotten the clue. She didn’t. Neither did the guy who sidled up to us, blatantly checking me out.
“I saw you arrive with Amy. Are you a friend of the family?” His gaze raked up and down my body.
Seriously? I sighed, resigning myself to making small talk since Amy was utterly wrapped up in her friends, and I knew there was no way I’d be able to drag her away any time soon.
More single moms and dads approached, joining our little group that I was less than thrilled to be a part of, all of them attempting some form of flirtation. Who knew the park was the new place to score a date? Definitely not me. I made a point of discouraging them, stopping just shy of downright rude.
After a few minutes, I’d had enough. I hated to interrupt Amy, but I wasn’t sure how much more I could take of this without making a scene. I stood up, ready to call out to Amy that it was time to go, but out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of golden hair reflecting in the bright sun.
Easton.
He was striding right toward me, towing a cooler behind him. He grinned broadly at me and pointed to the cooler. “I thought I’d bring some drinks for the kids. It’s pretty hot out today.”
All attention immediately shifted to him, and I wasn’t surprised. He looked sexy as hell in a short-sleeved button-up shirt in dark-wash blue, with white shorts that showcased his slim hips. A pair of aviator sunglasses completed the ensemble, making him look like he was ready for a day at the beach than an afternoon at the park.
I was glad for my own sunglasses that hid the way I devoured the sight of him. That smile. He’d never smiled at me that way before, and it made my heart beat a little faster. I fought to keep my face blank as he approached—until he shocked the hell out of me by dropping the handle of the cooler and striding right up to me, a sexy smirk tilting his lips.
He trailed his fingers over my bicep, then leaned in close. “I’d give you a hard time for not calling me after last night, but I can’t blame you for wanting some time with our girl.”
My muscle bunched and jumped at his touch, and every thought evaporated from my head. The only thing I was aware of was him. I was so stunned I couldn’t think of a word to say as he crowded into my space even more, running his fingers through my hair and pressing his body against mine. He leaned in, his mouth inches from my ear. “Play along, or my rescue attempt is going to fail miserably,” he whispered.
Distracted by the feel of his warm breath against my ear, it took me a couple of seconds to process what he meant. Rescue attempt. Right. Because this man despised me. For a moment, his act had utterly sucked me in, and while I kind of hated myself for being disappointed, my wolf was going all sorts of crazy, reacting to Easton’s close proximity.
Aware of everyone’s interest still on us, I forced myself to hook an arm around Easton’s waist and pull him closer. I pasted a cocky smile on my face. “Just can’t stay away from me, can you?”
I could have sworn Easton’s breath hitched ever so slightly as he tightened his fingers on me, but he just grinned. This close, I realized he was only a couple of inches shorter than my six-foot-five frame, and I allowed my gaze to linger on the dark gold stubble dotting his sharp jawline while I wondered what it would feel like if I brushed my lips over it.
My wolf whimpered and whined, loving where my thoughts were going, pushing me to do just that. Ugh. I shut him down, irritated that my reaction to Easton was this strong. Distance. I needed to put some distance between this man and me before I lost my mind and did something utterly stupid.
“Let’s go tell Amy you’re here,” I said, releasing him and walking toward the cooler to check out what he’d brought.
“Help yourselves to the drinks,” Easton said cheerfully to the parents who had gathered around me. If Easton’s goal was to get them to back off, he’d succeeded. They all avoided my gaze, taking the hint.
Easton grabbed a water bottle from the cooler then linked his arm with mine as we strolled away. Too close for comfort, but I couldn’t quite make myself shake him off just yet. After all, I didn’t want to blow our cover.
“They can be vultures when they spot fresh meat,” Easton whispered. “My little show should keep them at bay for a while, though.”
“Um, right,” I said, surprised my voice sounded even remotely normal. “Thanks, I guess.”
Easton just arched a brow and led me over to the other side of the playground. We watched Amy play with her friends for a while, and he stayed close the entire time.
It was odd and unfamiliar, but there was also something soothing and comforting about having him near. My wolf definitely recognized it, and the word mate floated around in my head.
Desperate to distract myself, I pushed my sunglasses up on my head. “I’ve had a pretty interesting week at work.”
Before I could say anything else, Easton held up a hand. “Don’t. I don’t want to talk about work. I understand you have a job to do. I don’t need you to explain yourself. Besides, we’re here to cheer up Amy. No more talk of work. Deal?” He removed his own glasses, staring up at me with those intense baby blues that I found myself lost in for several seconds.
“Deal,” I said, stunned to find myself not just agreeing, but smiling at him. I wasn’t exactly the most agreeable type on a good day, and there was already so much bad blood between the two of us, but there I was, more than happy to agree with him. To just enjoy the day.
A smile slowly curved his lips, and my heart thundered in response. I swallowed, trying to ignore the alien sensation.
“So,” I said, trying to come up with something to talk about since we were apparently going to be civil. “How did you know we were here?”
Easton chuckled softly. “Jamie called me up and said he forgot to send the cooler with you and Amy, and that it was too hot of a day not to have some drinks.”
It was a hotter day than average, even with it being the beginning of July. But something told me Jamie hadn’t forgotten to send the cooler. It was a bit too convenient. Were he and Tuck playing matchmaker? I wanted to be irritated by the idea, but I couldn’t find it in me to be upset—yet another thing I didn’t want to think too much about. So I changed the subject, making small talk about the weather and other stuff until Amy came running up to us before throwing her arms around Easton.
“Thanks for bringing drinks, Uncle East!” Then it was my turn to be wrapped up in one of her bear hugs. “Can we go get ice cream?” she asked, big eyes shining with excitement.
How could I say no to that? “Of course,” I replied with a grin.
“Can Easton come with us?”
I blinked, glancing over at Easton, who merely arched an eyebrow. He clearly didn’t want to tag along on our day together if he wasn’t wanted.
“Whatever you want, sweetheart,” I told her.