She held up a hand and shook her finger at him, which only made him smile even bigger.” Now you listen here,” she said. “You stay away from me the next two days. You don’t kiss me, smile at me, or corner me in hallways.”
Bridger arched his eyebrows. “So no more kissing and slapping? I can’t even smile?” He tried for a serious expression, but it just didn’t suit him.
“Stop playing stupid, Bridger. We both know how smart you are. Just because you squander yourself with women who only want you for your body and your fame doesn’t mean you’re an idiot.”
His face only tightened for a beat; then he grinned and sidled closer to her. “Somewhere in that irritated speech, I think there was a compliment. You like my body and you think I’m brilliant?”
Avalyn pulled in a shaky breath. She had to get far away from this man and never, ever be alone with him. “Listen closely, Bridger Hawk. I’ve been nice to you because of my respect for your parents and brothers. I did not come here to see you, and I willneverallow you to kiss me again.”
His eyes grew serious, but his words were teasing as always. “You sure? You seemed to enjoy the kisses as much as I did. You know how I like to ‘play stupid,’ but I could’ve sworn you kissed me back, threw your arms around my neck, felt up my chest.” He flexed his chest, making his pec muscles dance.
Avalyn’s jaw dropped. He was out of control.
He tilted his head and gave her a significant look. “Was I daydreaming all of that?”
“Yes! Just because you’re the stuff that every woman’s daydreams are made of does not mean I like you or want you around, got it?” Shoot, she kept slipping words in there that would make him think she did like him.
He nodded, folding his arms across his chest, which made his biceps bulge. She was too strong to fall into petty physical attraction and womanly desires for Bridger Hawk. He had plenty of women chasing him at all times. He did not need her. She did not need him.
“You only want me for the conquest,” she said.
His eyebrows rose again, but he didn’t even attempt to dispute that.
“I am not your plaything, Bridger. I know we go way back, but all you’ve done your entire life is tick me off.”And make me want to kiss you. The kisses had been so mind-blowing that she still couldn’t screw her head on straight.
“I’m sorry, Ava Baby. I’ve never wanted to tick you off.”
“Stop calling me Ava Baby,” she ground out. “And you’ll stay away from me if you know what’s good for you.”
She should tell him off some more, but she had to get away. If he gave her one more smirky smile, she was going to kiss it off his lips and then have to slap him again and realize that she had no self-control where this man was concerned. He was much more appetizing than Ghirardelli chocolate. She’d give up chocolate for life to keep kissing Bridger.No! Be strong.
Avalyn stormed past him, her dreams of relaxing at the pool and the beach completely shot.
“I rarely do what’s good for me,” Bridger said to her back.
Avalyn whirled around and glared at him. “Well, maybe you should start.”
Bridger grinned. “You’re the only thing that’s good for me that I want, Ava Baby.”
Avalyn gritted her teeth. He was wrong. She wouldn’t be good for him. “You’d only want me until the next hot thing came along.”
Bridger slowly crossed the distance between them, his eyes focused on hers. Avalyn couldn’t drag herself away. Saints in heaven, she needed help!
He came so close she could smell his yummy, musky cologne and had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze instead of planting her face in his much-too-appetizing chest. He stopped and thankfully didn’t touch her, or who knew how she’d resist kissing him. “If you’d be mine, I’d never notice another woman as long as I lived.”
Avalyn’s eyes widened. Bridger’s mouth was set and his eyes were dark and determined. Was he being serious? If he was, it was the first and only time in his life. She studied him for too long. She needed to end this and make sure he stayed far away. “I’m a woman, not a possession,” she shot at him.
Bridger’s lips curved up in a smile. “Believe me, I know you’re a woman.” His gaze traveled over her face like a tender caress. It was almost as intoxicating as him touching her. “The most perfect woman in the world.”
Just like that, Avalyn was panting for air again. What was he doing to her?Be strong, be strong, he talks like this to every woman. He gives every woman his smoldering looks and perfect kisses. As soon as Bridger got what he wanted from her, he’d move on so quick her heart would shatter and never recover.
“I willneverbe yours,” she managed to push out. Her voice was trembling and the words weren’t said nearly strong enough, but he finally got the message.
His dark eyes turned cool, and he easily slid back into that smirk that she loved and hated. “Never say never,” he said.
“You can’t have me,” she said quickly, defensively.
Bridger’s eyes slowly roved over her face, coming to rest on her lips for so long she was gasping for air again. If he kissed her, she didn’t know how she’d resist, no matter how brave her words were.