Rocky Start (A Rocky Start)

“Took you long enough. I’m hungry,” I hiss, trying to avoid any more time alone with Sean, and I hold back my chuckle. The sheriff excuses himself to return to work, so Sean leads Lydia and me outside while Bennett takes Darcy.

We drive to the restaurant, and Sean sits insanely close to me. The sound of a deep intake of air gives away the fact that he’s sniffing me, but I have to know for sure.

"Are you sniffing me?" I ask, tilting my head to look up at him, our faces inches from each other. It wouldn’t take much for us to lean in and kiss. I close my eyes and bite my inner cheek to gain control.

"No, but there is a lovely fragrance in the air."

"We are in the mountains. Fresh air, ass. Now move your big body over." It's just then that Bennett makes a sharp turn, sending me into Sean’s side. He cups my waist and holds me firmly to him. "What a turn of events, but you can have your sexy body all over me. I don’t mind even one single bit.”

“Ugh. Are you always such a flirt?” I ask, rolling my eyes.

“No. You bring it out in me.”

“Somehow I doubt it.” He’s about to say something, but his phone rings. He puts his hand up to tell me to wait a minute, but I don’t care to debate anything else with him because he’s going to try to play me like a fiddle.

“Hello, this is Sean McFadden.” I try to listen in, but Lydia is chitchatting on my other side so I can’t hear what I think is a woman, but I can hear Sean’s end of the conversation and it’s about Bennett.

“All I have to say is there has been a misunderstanding. As a matter of fact, more of a flat-out lie. I’m not sure of the details that initially started the rumors, however, having spoken to the alleged victim, there was no kidnapping or assault.”

“Trust me—the air will be cleared, and I’ll have our lawyer file some lawsuits for defamation by the end of the week,” Sean states, ending the call with an assurance that leaves little to no doubt that he means business. I stare at his face and see the intensity, and an ache builds in me. He quickly whips his head to face me, catching me in the act, and gives me a wink. The cocky bastard.

Just because Bennett worked his magic on Darcy doesn’t mean it will work on me. He even admitted to us that Bennett’s a celibate hermit, so it’s only natural that his feelings and interest in Darcy are genuine, but a man like Sean, who is clearly outgoing and personable, is another story. He’s got game written all over him, and I’m betting ladies fall at his feet.

“God, you’re perfect. So beautiful, Georgie.” That’s when I realize he’s still lightly holding me. I finally pull away and fix myself in the seat. He growls and scoots closer. I huff, but I don’t want to sit on Lydia’s lap, who is trying not to giggle in the seat next to me.

We pull up to the pizza place, and I can hardly concentrate on anything other than the handsome flirt beside me. If I truly believed him, I’d be flattered by the insane number of compliments on my beauty. All of us James sisters are pretty, but I’ve never heard it mentioned so much.

“So, Georgie, what do you think about a quick wedding? I’m sure Bennett and Darcy will be getting married soon,” Sean asks, trying to draw me into conversation.

“That’s a little fast for them, don’t you think?” They’ve only just met, and this isn’t some sort of romance book.

“When you know, you just know,” he says casually. I wonder how often he falls in and out of love or what he believes is love.

“All I know is I’m hungry, and when I’m hungry, nobody better get between me and my food,” I inform him because I have no interest in his obvious, blatant, and nearly convincing panty-melting bedroom eyes.

“Then we better start ordering.” His smile widens as he throws up his hands in a mock surrender, and I have to bite back a smile. Why does he have to be so charming?

While we think about dinner, he backs off for a bit with the seduction attempts and goes about texting on his phone to someone. I try to peek over, but he has some sort of protection that hides his screen. Yep, he’s a player for sure.

I ordered my food, but suddenly I’ve lost my appetite. Lydia and I make casual conversation, but then we’re suddenly mobbed with flashes as photographers snap pictures of our table. Darcy blushes at first but then gives some major PDA for the cameras, and then we go about eating our food, or I try.