Yesterday's Scandal (The Wild McBrides 3)

“I planned to have you in my arms again since I left your house the other night,” he admitted.

“I’m not sure if I should respond by being flattered or insulted.”

“Just as long as you respond,” he murmured, then kissed her again.

She most definitely responded.

“This is crazy,” she murmured between kisses. “We hardly know each other.”

He caught her lower lip gently, briefly, between his teeth, causing a current of electricity to race through her. Then he lifted his head. “I’m all for getting to know each other better.”

She trailed a fingertip along the strong line of his jaw, realizing that her initial shyness around him was almost gone. “I’d like that.”

“Have dinner with me tonight?”

“I have to pick up my brother from baseball practice in half an hour. I was planning to make spaghetti for dinner tonight. Why don’t you join us?”

His mouth twisted. “I don’t think your brother likes me very much.”

She was surprised he’d picked up on that. She still didn’t understand Brad’s antagonism toward Mac. “He just doesn’t know you. Brad’s going through an awkwardness stage. I’m sure he’ll like you if he spends time with you.”

Twisting a strand of her hair around his finger, he gave a slight shrug. “Maybe. Maybe not. Does it matter a great deal to you?”

She felt as if it should. It had always seemed important that Brad liked Jerry. It made things easier when they spent time together. But she wasn’t going to let Brad’s attitude prevent her from spending more time with the most fascinating man she had met in…well, in her entire life.

“Come for dinner,” she said. “Brad will behave.”

“What time?”

“Seven.”

“I’ll be there.” He slid his hand into the hair at the back of her head. “You said you have another half hour?”

“Almost.”

He smiled as he tossed her hard hat aside and lowered his mouth to hers again. “Sounds like enough time to get to know each other a little better.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

“HE’S COMING to our house for dinner? I’m leaving.”

Sharon sighed. “I really don’t understand your antagonism, Brad. You only met Mac for a couple of minutes.”

“I’ve seen him around town. He’s a jerk. Strutting around like he’s some hotshot who’s better than the hicks around here.”

Appalled, Sharon stared at her brother. They stood in their living room—she’d waited until they arrived home before springing the news on him about who was joining them for dinner—and he faced her from the center of the floor, his shaggy hair tumbling into his anger-flushed face. He needed a haircut, she thought inconsequentially. He was beginning to look like someone she didn’t know. He certainly sounded like a stranger. “Who’s been saying these things to you? I can’t believe those are your words.”

“Everybody’s been talking about him.”

“I thought I’d taught you not to listen to the malicious gossip that goes on around this town. You have the intelligence to form your own opinions, Brad. You have to get to know someone before you decide whether you like him or not.”

“I know all I want to know. He just wants to make some fast money off the old Garrett place and then he’ll move on. I don’t see why we have to entertain him while he’s here.”

“How about simple hospitality? He doesn’t know many people in town.”

“He doesn’t belong here. He isn’t even our kind.”

Sharon felt her eyes narrow. “Would you like to explain that comment?”