Reed placed his warm hand on the small of her back. She shifted slightly, but didn’t flinch away. Her breath caught at the heaviness of his long powerful fingers spanning the width of her back. A pleasant and somewhat ticklish heat spread through her. The current of energy was so strong in intensity, her eyes fluttered shut and her back arched reflexively, reveling in the comfort.
Rejoicing in the satisfaction of her own personal triumph, she forced herself to pay attention to his deep voice as he spoke.
“My aunt was the mean old woman. She passed away eight months ago.”
JC cringed, sliding into the booth. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called her that. I didn’t know her name.”
His sultry smile broadened. “She was a mean old woman,” he said with a long drawl. “It was just her way. The worse names she called you, the more she liked you.”
The dim light hanging above their table highlighted the waves in his dark blond hair.
JC anxiously gnawed on her lip, taking in his sunbaked muscles filling out his white T-shirt. “She must’ve liked Tom, because she always called him a no good rotten son-of-a-bitch. Yelled might be a better word.”
The waitress brought each of them a glass of water, asking if either would care for another shot of Jack.
JC shook her head and Reed ordered a beer.
“My Aunt must’ve liked him then. Now, if she called him a bastard—”
She giggled softly. “That’s what she called the damn camera people. Can’t say I blame her. I don’t care for the paparazzi either. I’m with her on that one. Bastards all the way.”
He dragged his knuckles over the stubble on his face. Staring at JC with a soft smile, he extended his hand over the top of the table. “Maybe we should try this again. Hi, I’m your neighbor, Reed Rider. It’s nice to meet you.”
Nerves skittered up her spine. His slow southern tang and gorgeous sweet smile was enough to thaw her insecurities word by word. Goosebumps covered her skin and at that moment, she wished she wasn’t wearing a white t-shirt.
JC hesitantly laid her hand in his. “Rider or Writer?”
“Rider with a D.”
“JC Mathews. It’s nice to meet you too…with clothes on.” He turned three shades of red and she grinned at his discomfiture. Forcing herself to withdraw her hand, she continued, “Now, why were you swimming in my pool, Reed and how did you get into my backyard?”
The waitress brought out two large plates of food. Reed’s dinner consisted of a double hamburger with fries and JC had a turkey burger with sweet potato fries. Releasing her hand, Reed took a swig of his beer and both began eating their dinner.
“I’ve been gutting my aunt’s house and I was up on the roof one day when I saw your pool. I’d been working all night, and it was hot and muggy. I’d thought about jumping the wall a dozen times, but always chickened out. Nevertheless, I didn’t think anyone was home and obviously, you are home. You surprised the hell out of me. I didn’t know what to say ‘cause I knew you were scared to death.” He imitated her covering her nudity and his cheeks flushed.
JC pressed her lips together, bowing her head to hide the scorching heat climbing up her neck. “You did scare the hell out of me. I never go skinny dipping and the last thing I expected was to find some huge guy naked in my pool.” She shook her head, extending a stern warning, “I wouldn’t be peeking over that wall when my mom and Tom are home. It wouldn’t surprise me if they skinny dipped every night and he would make your life a living hell.”
Reed’s face sobered. “I wasn’t trying to peek over the wall at you. I was just hot—”
“That not what I meant, Reed,” she assured softly. “Next time just call first.”
His gaze flickered over her tentatively. “I don’t have your number,” he paused. “Since we’re neighbors and all.”
JC’s lips parted drawing in a gust of air. She dropped her gaze to the table. Nerves twisted in her stomach. Reaching for her burger, she dared to glance at him. Reed Rider oozed sexy masculinity mixed with a healthy dose of good old-fashioned charm. His wide shoulders and lean athletic build could’ve been intimidating, but he managed to squash her angst with one genuine heart-stopping smile.
She took a bite, wiped her hands on her napkin and held out her hand motioning for his cell phone.
Digging into the pocket of his faded jeans, he retrieved his phone and laid it in the palm of her hand. JC flinched slightly at the touch of his skin. An ugly feeling of defeat swathed over her. I can’t stand this! You are not going to be afraid of a man…no matter how big! Gathering her courage and determination, she disregarded her own bizarre reaction and slumped back into the cowhide booth.