Girls' Night Out (Bad Boys) Read Free Page A

cheeks, one she knew she couldn’t hide.
    Goliath seemed to contemplate her words or perhaps he understood her embarrassment, which made the eternity it took him to respond god-awful long. Then a wide smile spread across his handsome face. “That’s my only bag. And I’m guessing you checked one bag and had to pay extra for the others you’re hauling back home for, what? Three or four days?”
    Cory shrugged a shoulder, quickly glancing downward and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “That isn’t true.”
    “Is that your best poker face? Better just come clean,” he snickered. “I can tell you’re hip deep in balderdash.”
    Her eyes flashed back to his face. “ Balderdash? How old are you?”
    He sighed. “My mother taught me not to cuss in front of a lady, or any woman,” he said, holding out his other—very empty—hand.
    “What?” she blurted. “Are you going to hand over my stuff?”
    “I wanted to introduce myself. We might be on the same flight. Or at least headed in the same direction.”
    “But we are so not from the same world.” Her instinct, aroused by his unbelievable charm, warned her that his world was located someplace far away from where she hailed.
    “We’re both from Texas. It’s almost like we’re kin. Might be kissing cousins.” He laughed again, making the space between them shrink and take on an intimate quality. Sensual. And all the more decadent by his loaded words.
    “In your dreams,” she retorted, not about to let him have the last say.
    “Or maybe in yours. ’Cause Sugar, I’m not the one with my head in the clouds. I’ve got a real life that keeps me grounded.”
    Dang it…his words hit a little too close for comfort. She reminded herself not to take the bait, but his teasing tone and irresistible smile were too hard to ignore. Something in him had definitely snagged something in her.
    “Yeah. I can only imagine the type of grounding a guy like you is into.”
    “A guy like me?” He grinned, revealing a set of perfect white teeth. What would it feel like to have a man like this kiss her…or suck on her skin?
    “You’re as transparent as glass,” she mocked him.
    “Not really. I’m gold. ”
    “Oh boy!” She laughed. “Whoa, just confirmed. You are so full of yourself. Do you have to check that inflated head of yours?”
    He glanced down to his groin, then back up at her. “Not lately, but around you things certainly could change.”
    She stared at him speechless. Her cheeks burned. She’d lassoed herself, alright, and with her own tongue. Score one for Goliath.
    With her brothers and cousins, she’d met enough of their friends to spot trouble in the form of a smooth-talking stud. For sure, this smiling gorgeous guy was all that and more the way he rustled the butterflies in her stomach into a storming mess.
    “No matter where you’re off to, I know you’re not from the part of Texas I come from,” she said, raising her eyebrow at his large, extended hand.
    “You just don’t cut a guy a break.” He pushed his outstretched hand closer. “My name is Brett Gold.”
    “Oh,” she said, taking hold of his hand. The moment their palms touched, a zinging current traveled up her arm, and she couldn’t help smiling over at him.
    “Oh,” he echoed playfully.
    Cory noticed how small her hand was in his while he rubbed his thumb over her fingers. “Sounds like the perfect name for Hollywood. Are you some sort of actor?”
     
    ~~~
    He laughed, shaking his head at the beauty in front of him. No need to tell her he was a tight end for the Dallas Devils.
    Holy smokes. This girl was the type his gut told him to steer clear of and, of course, that was not what he was doing. He leaned in closer and it was as though a bomb had blasted apart in his head. She had no idea who he was and obviously didn’t care, except for some desire to stand her ground like a pissed-off wildcat. Her wide sapphire eyes, smart-aleck mouth, and body that didn’t quit had