Page 13 of Tragic (Lark Cove 3)

“Tough,” she snapped.

“Tough?”

“Listen, neighbor. I’m paying a small fortune for this construction crew to work overtime and remodel my house. I don’t give a rip if the noise bothers you. I’m living in a camper, right next to the noise, and working from a table that doubles as a guest bed. If I can deal with it, so can you.”

“Keep it down or I’ll call the cops.”

She huffed. “And tell them what? That there are people working next door? I can hear the dispatcher laughing at you already.”

“God, you’re a piece of work.”

“And it’s time for you to run along.” She flung out a hand, waving me away. “Go be grumpy somewhere else.”

“Keep it down. I’m warning you.” I stepped closer, using my height to intimidate her.

But instead of backing away, she locked her jaw and stepped closer. Those incredible tits nearly brushed my chest. “Or what? Huh? What are you going to do?”

That damn, smart mouth.

We stood there, glaring at one another. The inch between us was fi

lled with hate, our mutual annoyance and frustration a tangible wall between us. And then, as a slight breeze swished over us, the wall just . . . blew away.

My breaths were coming in heavy pants, not from anger, but lust. My brain screamed for me to step away, but my feet were rooted to the gravel.

Piper was breathing hard too. Each time her chest rose, her breasts skimmed my T-shirt. The heat from her cheeks spread down her chest, tinting her creamy skin a pale pink. Her dark eyes flashed, melting from cool indifference to scorching lust.

She wanted me. That flash in her eyes was unmistakable and it flipped my switch.

Off to on.

I crushed my lips down on hers, swallowing a gasp, then a moan as her hands slid up my chest. My fingers dove into her silky hair, letting the thick, luscious strands weave through my fingers.

What the hell was I doing? I’d come over here to put my neighbor in her place. Not to kiss her. The smart thing to do would be to stop this and let her put up that fence. But as she moaned again, stopping was no longer an option.

I slid my tongue into her mouth, finding hers hot and wet. The intensity of our argument carried into our kiss, our tongues dueling as they tangled and twisted.

Piper gripped the cotton of my shirt, fisting it in her hands. She pulled me forward, forcing her lips harder into mine, pushing her tongue deeper.

She might want control of this kiss, but tough. She wasn’t going to get it.

My fingers slipped from her hair, and I wrapped my arms around her back. With one fast tug, I smashed our bodies together. Her breasts were crushed between us.

Piper let out a tiny whimper, the sound filling my ears and drowning out everything else but this woman.

She was everywhere. Her taste flooded my mouth, a mixture of mint and strawberry. The smell of her hair overpowered the musk from the trees, filling my nose with sweet florals and citrus. Her touch was electric, heating my skin in the cool spring air.

Her hands traveled around my waist, drifting lower. Her fingertips dug hard into my ass, and she used her grip on the canvas of my Carhartt pants to pull my hips closer.

I thrust my erection forward, pressing the entire length against her, making her breath hitch.

What were we doing? The question went in and out of my head in a fleeting second. Who cared what we were doing? It felt so fucking good—it had been so damn long—that I cursed myself for not taking this kiss a month ago.

“Kaine,” Piper moaned, her hands gripping my ass with daring ferocity.

I returned the gesture, unwrapping my arms from her back so I could squeeze her luscious ass like a stress ball. I wanted to make her cheeks red as punishment for the smart mouth she’d given me earlier.

As I squeezed tighter, she yelped, then nipped my lower lip.