Always With You (The Connor Family 6)

That went about as well as I’d expected. Reid increased his speed when the sign announcing the last mile came up. Hmmm... he didn’t think I’d just drop it, right? I let him put some distance between us, because he obviously needed to gather his thoughts. As a bonus, I had a spectacular view. Holy hell, I’d been spot-on. His ass was just as well-trained as the rest of him.

I increased my pace too, cheering along with everyone else after crossing the finish line, then slowed to a walking speed, drawing in deep breaths. Reid was waiting for me next to one of the palm trees closest to the lake, guzzling down water. Even from a distance, I got dangerous vibes from him.

Dangerously sexy vibes, a small voice whispered. I chose to ignore it. I walked straight up to him, folding my arms over my chest.

His arms looked even more muscular with the thin sheet of sweat on them. I’d never met anyone more masculine. I had to pull myself together. Ogling him wasn’t going to help me get my point across.

“I’m not doing it,” he said.

“Remember my terms?”

His eyes flashed. He stepped closer. “Your terms... what about them?”

“Following my advice was one of them.”

His lips curled into a smile as he stepped closer still, as if he knew exactly how he affected me and wanted every advantage possible.

“Not a fan of your terms.”

“I told you that if you’re not willing to give in a little, there is no point.”

“I’m not good at giving in, Hailey. But you know at what I excel?”

“What?”

“Making others give in to my terms, bend to my demands.”

His gaze went to my lips. I sucked in a breath. This was getting out of hand. I had no idea what was going on, why I was so out of sorts. This tension between us just kept escalating, and I didn’t know how to make it stop.

I cleared my throat. “Reid, this is not going to be as bad as it sounds.”

“Why don’t you just make a statement on my account? Isn’t that the norm?”

“Yes, but that usually just fuels gossip sites. They break it down and interpret it, and that just keeps you in the headlines.”

“And an interview with me won’t have the same effect?”

“Not to the same extent. I can show you statistics. Headlines fade much faster after longer interviews. I think it’s because reading your words somehow normalizes the situation, makes it seem mundane.”

“Talking to a stranger—”

I held up a finger. “I have a solution for that. I’d do the interview, edit it, and send it to the publication.”

“Magazines usually like to send their own people.”

I gave him a sly smile. “You’re paying me to find solutions you’re comfortable with.”

“Sounds more like a loophole.”

“It is. I like to bend the rules.”

“You do, don’t you? I don’t know why that surprises me.”

He was watching my mouth again. Holy shit, somehow he seemed even closer.

“Well, think about it and let me know. But don’t wait too long, because I want to start pitching publications.”

There, focusing on the next steps was the way to keep this from escalating... again. I didn’t even know what this was, but I had a hunch I was better off not knowing.