"I wish I could bottle it up and sell it. I'd be rich and you guys would be broke mother fuckers." I smirked and moved back, trying to avoid their playful pushing again.
"Right. And, I'm the one that woke up with a pretty girl in my bed this morning." Clay took the burgers from me. "Maybe the tides are turning."
"Maybe so," I mumbled and glanced back at the lake. I was going over to Cora's with my friends, but I'd have to be on-guard. Something told me that the chase was going to thrill me beyond anything I'd encountered this far. I wanted it bad.
Wanted her bad. Maybe too bad...
Chapter Twelve
Cora
Emily hadn't done me any favors by telling me that Brody was asking about me. It was silly and childish, but the thought of bringing a player to his knees caused my blood to race with excitement. I didn't want to hurt him, but the thought of bending his enormous ego a little was rather enticing.
"What are you thinking about? You look like you're planning someone's doom." Emily chuckled and moved up beside me in the kitchen as I washed my hands.
All the snacks for the small get-together that evening were done and in the fridge. Cindy was taking a quick shower, and Dedra was headed back from town with beer and a few more bottles of wine for us.
"No, I was just thinking about my future." I lied with ease. "I think you're right about standing up to my parents."
"Good. Make sure I'm there when it happens?" She snorted and let out a yelp as a knock resounded on the door behind us. "They're here. Do I look okay?"
I turned and smiled. "You looked great, as always. I love the skinny jeans and that blue top. It's much better than anything in your suitcase."
"I feel ridiculous." She walked to the door. "You sure?"
"Yes. Let them in." I dried my hands and turned to look out at the lake through the window just above the sink. Some part of me hoped that Brody would forgo the evening and instead spend it with his cousin or one of her friends. But a bigger part of me prayed like hell that he would be there to tease me, to make me feel something. And boy was he good at that.
A smile touched my lips at the sound of Clay's voice.
"Don't you look incredible?" He spoke, and Emily giggled. It was out of character for her, so much so that I turned to make sure he wasn't tickling her.
Brody walked in and stopped just inside the door as our eyes met. He lifted a six-pack of beer and gave me a cocky smile. "I come in peace."
"I doubt that." I dropped the towel and walked toward them, turning my attention to Daniel. "Hey, you."
"Hi, Cora. You look beautiful." Daniel touched the side of his glasses and blushed slightly, causing me to smile. He wasn't going to be anything other than a good friend, but it was cute watching him get flustered.
I took the beer from Brody and turned to face him. "I hear from Emily that you're the grill master."
"Among other things, yeah." He winked and moved past me toward the kitchen. "I brought some brats because the guys wanted them. Whatcha got in mind for dinner?"
The serenity of his persona washed over me, and I realized how much I enjoyed confident people. His cockiness was a bit annoying at times, but mainly because it reminded me too much of my own.
He opened the fridge and leaned over, his navy shorts pulling tight on the perfect swell of his ass. My body warmed, my cheeks flushing and stomach contracting.
He might be a player, but he was the perfect guy for the job. I'd yet to see anyone better looking in Lake Havasu.
"Are you checking out my butt?" He glanced over his shoulder and lifted his eyebrow.
"Nope. I was seeing if we had mustard." I leaned across his back and plucked it from the door. "Good to know. I enjoy eating my weenies with mustard."
He chuckled and moved back. "Seems like a useful bit of information."
"Oh Lord," Clay mumbled and walked into the kitchen. He stopped beside me and smiled at me. "How are you, Cora? We missed you at breakfast yesterday. Emily is quite the cook."
"Where's Dedra?" Derek walked into the kitchen and pulled his cowboy hat from his head. "And Cindy?"
"I'm here!" Cindy walked in and smiled at everyone before turning her attention to me. "Did you get everything done?"