Small Town Curves: A Pregnancy Romance

An expert. “Thanks.” If that’s what Sophie thought, I would listen closely and find another way to impress Shannon, even though pizza and wine seemed to work just fine the other night.

“Yo, Boss! You have a phone call.”

“Good luck,” Stone said and left me to stare at Sophie until my gym shorts started to get a little snug. I tried to focus on my own exercises, breathing out through each motion and checking my form in the mirror, but every step made her ass jiggle, her tits bounce just a little and I stared until my vision started to blur.

“Take a photo, perv, it’ll last longer.” The amused feminine voice filled with barely concealed laughter started me out of my thoughts and my creepy staring habit.

I looked up and found Shannon standing behind me, tendrils of red hair stuck to her neck and face. “You’d let a pervert take a photo of you? Intriguing.”

She shrugged. “Depends on the pervert. Figured I’d let you get a close up look before you strain your neck muscles.” She didn’t sound upset or flattered, just amused.

“Thanks. This is a much better view,” I told her as I turned to take her in, as she said, in real life. “Hi Shannon.”

“Hi Miles. Good workout?”

I shrugged. “Could be better, or maybe not, I’m not sure yet.” She giggled and the sound shot straight to my cock. “I’ll walk you out to your car.”

“No need. I jogged over. Too many nights of all the wrong foods, you know.” Her gaze heated and gave me a once over, her green eyes taking their sweet time over my exposed biceps. “Or maybe you don’t.”

“Why do you think I’m here? Mara’s treats are hard to resist.” Almost as hard as I was at the moment. “How about I give you a ride home? Your legs have to be exhausted after that long workout.”

She cocked a red brow and folded her arms across her chest. “I can handle a little pain.”

“I’m sure you can, but do you want to? A nice ride in A/C and good company has to be better than walking home on wobbly legs.”

She flashed another smile and rolled her eyes. “I accept for the air conditioning. Solely for the air conditioning. Nothing else.”

“Of course.” I held my hands up, palms facing her and she laughed.

“Come on, then.” She walked away and I took a moment to get my body under control, and to enjoy the sway of her hips as she sauntered towards the exit.

She was one damn fine woman and I wanted to be her friend, but I wanted her underneath me again too. Or on top of me. Basically, I wanted her naked and screaming my name. Again. But I couldn’t just out right tell her that because Shannon was determined that we were nothing but civil neighbors who temporarily shared a small town.

“Thanks for the ride, Miles. See you around.” She flashed a smile and gripped the door handle, ready to make a quick getaway.

“Wait.” She stopped at my words and stare expectantly at me.

“What is it, Miles?”

“Go out with me.” I probably shouldn’t have blurted it out like a command but with those green eyes staring up at me so close up, the words just kind of popped out.

Shannon sighed and tilted her head just a little, a sliver of sympathy that told me I wouldn’t like her answer. “I don’t think so, Miles.”

“You’re still mad.”

“Not at all. It’s just, you’re a nice good and sexy and all that, and well, I don’t want to start seeing you and get my hopes up or worse, start wanting things that I don’t want to want. And given your propensity for ghosting,” I groaned and she laughed. “I don’t think it would be very smart on my part, but if you still want to be friends. I’m open to seeing how that goes.”

“You think that’s actually possible?” Even now, while she was turning down a date with me, I wanted her. Bad.

“No, but I’m happy to give it a shot and see how it goes. You already ghosted me so what’s the worse that could happen?”

I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped and bounced around the four walls of the car. “You do have an odd way of looking at things, Shannon.”

“It’s a gift, or so I’ve been told.” Her smile was wide and amused, fully entertained by this exchange.

I didn’t want to be her friend but I knew it was the only way to spend more time with her so I nodded. “Okay fine. Friends. So, friend, are you free tomorrow?”

She laughed again and arched an auburn brow. “Another paintball war?”

“Nope, something even better. I don’t know exactly what yet, but I will. Just say yes, Shannon.”

She shrugged and let out a giggle that was so damn feminine I felt myself going hard again. “Yes, Shannon.”