“I’m not! I’m just curious.”
Alyssa smiled. “At the community college nearby.”
“I’m Jace, and this idiot,” he pointed to his friend, “is John.”
Alyssa’s eyes widened as John threw a leg over his seat and stood. When he reached out an open palm, all sensible thoughts left her brain.
Sweet Jesus . . .
His dirt covered shorts sat low on his waist, exposing the black lip of his boxers. His lean stomach didn’t have an ounce of fat on it, and the slight V indents on his hips caught her eyes when he let out a breath of air. It was almost as if they were hidden, and the only way to notice them was to stare, like she was doing now. The sudden urge to trace her fingers along his skin took her by surprise, and Alyssa began to wonder if this was how all the guys dressed down here, because despite his scruffy appearance, this was something she could get used to.
John took a step toward her, and she couldn’t help but notice his silky, smooth skin or the ripples in his stomach as the sun shined down on him. He was surprisingly good-looking, but it was his green eyes and flirtatious smile that struck a nerve deep inside her belly.
Alyssa glanced down at his opened palm. She stepped forward and slid her hand along his rough skin. She inhaled, and unlike the expensive cologne guys wore back in California, John smelled earthy and rich. Like fresh cut grass on a sunny day. It was an interesting combination that she couldn’t believe she found appealing. Jace followed suit and reached out an open palm to her.
“If you need anything, let us know. We’ll ride on over.”
Her brows angled in confusion at John. “So you’ll ride over on those things,” she pointed to the four wheelers. “And do what exactly?”
“Those things,” Jace teased. “Have you ever ridden on one of these things, princess?”
Alyssa scoffed. “First of all, my name is Alyssa.”
“Sugar Plum?”
“Alyssa.”
“Pretty girl?”
“Wow, I’m in the presence of a comedian. No, I have not ridden one of those things.”
Chuckling, John took over. “Well, this right here is called a four wheeler, not a thing, but I’m assuming you already knew that. Wanna take a quick ride with me and I’ll show you how it’s done?”
She totally wanted to, it honestly looked like fun.
“Maybe another time. You’re filthy dirty and covered in mud, not really my thing. No offense, or anything.”
John clutched his chest. “Oh, I think she just insulted me,” he joked, looking at Jace. “You have a lot to learn. You live in the South now. We get dirty here and so will you.”
“Doubtful, considering I wasn’t raised to play in the mud. Pigs play in the mud and I’m not an animal,” she spat back.
The two friends looked at each other and then burst into laughter. “We weren’t raised to play in the mud, sweetheart. It just sort of happens.”
Curious, Alyssa shifted on her feet. “How does it just happen?”
Jace spoke up this time. “When we go muddin’, ride four wheelers, or party down by the river. Mud just happens. You’ll see.”
“Mud just happens?” she stated, dumbfounded. Now she’s heard it all.
“Mud happens,” John repeated with a smirk. He tried to contain his laughter, but Jace was giving Alyssa a hard time and it was funny as hell.
“That doesn’t make any sense,” she said with her perfectly straight nose in the air. “Mud won’t happen to me.”
“Mark my words,” Jace said. “Mud will happen to you. It’s inevitable.”
Was she really standing there having a conversation about mud? Jesus Christ.
“Is that how people down here talk? Mud happens? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Listen to yourself, you sound completely foolish.”