Real Good Man (Real Duet #1)

“Who is it this time?” one woman asks.

“I’m not sure, but she was real pretty. Her hair was all different shades of blond. Must be some fancy new style. I wish I’d gotten a picture to show my niece. She’d know if it’s someone famous.”

No way in hell.

The description of “different shades of blond” doesn’t seem too specific, but I know one woman who fits that description all too well.

But there’s no way in hell Banner Regent would set foot in BFE or Podunk or whatever else she called Gold Haven, Kentucky.

Unless she’s here for you, a voice in my head argues.

I pay for my groceries, wish Rachel luck with her dad, and push my cart outside. I consider it fate that I’m parked next to Wanda Jenkins, who just delivered the gossip inside Piggly Wiggly.

“Can I give you a hand loading up your groceries, Ms. Jenkins?” I ask.

She’s sliding her key into the trunk lock on her Bonneville, but pauses at my offer. “A handsome man who wants to help me with my bags? I’d be silly to say no.”

I reach for a paper sack when she finishes unlocking and popping the trunk, and settle it inside. “Did you say there’s someone staying at Holly’s gran’s place? I usually try to keep an eye on it, but I hadn’t heard anything about someone coming to use it.”

Ms. Jenkins’s eyes light up at the prospect of her being in the know when clearly I’m not.

“Oh yes, that’s exactly what I said. I saw her carrying a couple big suitcases inside, so maybe she’s staying a while. But you know those city girls; they probably over-pack for every little thing.”

“I do know a few of those city girls, and you’re usually right. Maybe I should swing by and see what’s going on there, just in case.”

Her interest ticks up another notch. “You probably should. We need to look out for each other in this town. Outsiders aren’t always welcome.”

I hold back a sarcastic comment at her response, because even though I’m from this town, they all considered me an outsider until I started making bank.

“I’ll report back with what I find.”

She nods vigorously. “You be sure to do that.”

Damn Holly and her friends, and all the trouble they’ve brought to my door.

I load my groceries into my truck, and when I pull out of the parking lot, I still turn in the opposite direction of home.





Chapter 21


Logan


Holly’s gran’s house is lit up. Not just one light but all of them, like the person inside is scared of the dark. There’s no car out front, but through the drawn lace curtains, I can make out a person inside.

I’ve got two choices: pick up the phone and call Holly to find out who’s there, or knock on the door and find out for myself. I go for option two.

My headlights cut across the white siding and purple front porch. The curtains twitch, so I know whoever is inside knows they’ve got company.

I climb out of my truck, shut the door, and make my way up the front steps. When I knock on the door, the top of a blond head pops into view through the small glass windows set in the top of the door.

No f*cking way. Turns out the gossips had it right this time.

She’s not tall enough, so she has to jump to peek through the window. Her whiskey-colored eyes widen when she sees me.

“What the hell are you doing here, Bruce?” I call from the front porch when she disappears from view.

A few moments of silence pass before the door is yanked open and Banner Regent stares at me from behind the screen door.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

Banner cocks a jean-covered hip, and it’s impossible to miss the attitude she’s throwing my way. The chest area of her white sweater is smudged with dust, but she still looks downright edible. My cock takes notice, even though I tell myself I’m still pissed at her.

“What am I doing here? I live here. But last time I checked, New York princesses don’t set foot in BFE.”

Her full lips press into a flat line, but she still looks sexy as hell. f*ck me.

“First off,” she says, raising one finger into the air, “I’m no princess. And if I were, you’d be wrong anyway, because I’m standing right in the middle of BFE.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“Does it matter?”

I grit my teeth. This woman is more frustrating than any I’ve met before, but damned if I don’t like seeing her all riled up. “Sure does, especially if you’re here to apologize for tossing me out of your apartment on my ass—”

She sucks in a breath. “I did not toss you out on your ass. You stormed out and left. Big difference, dude.”

“That doesn’t tell me why you’re here.”

She props a hand on her hip. “It’s not really any of your business. I’m spending some time out of the city and doing a favor for a friend by housesitting.”

I may have only spent one night with Banner, but I’ve gotten to know her through weeks of texting. “What the hell happened?”

Her expression turns mulish. “Why do you think something happened?”

“Hell must have frozen over for you to leave your little universe of an island.”

She cranes her head to the side to look behind me. “I don’t see the devil ice skating behind you anywhere, so I guess you’re wrong. Now, if you’ll excuse me—”

A shrill beeping blares from inside.

“Shit!” Banner spins around and rushes back inside.

The unmistakable smell of smoke hits my nose, and I yank open the screen door. A gray cloud rises off whatever is on the stove as Banner grabs a towel and starts waving it around. She miscalculates her movements and the fringed ends catch fire.

“f*ck.” I round the table that takes up the center of the kitchen and move her out of the way to turn off the burner and grab the towel out of her hand. Crossing the room, I toss it in the sink and put out the flames. I throw open the front windows before turning to face her.

“You trying to burn the whole damn house down?”

Her face pales to sheet white. “No.”

The word comes out shaky, and it takes a shit load of willpower to stop myself from pulling her against my chest and holding her until the fright is forgotten. Instead, I scan the room to make sure nothing else is on fire as the smoke alarm finally quiets. My attention stops on the frying pan and what looks like charred roadkill inside it.

“I was trying to make dinner.” Banner’s tone starts out timid, but each word gains volume and sassy attitude. “Until you showed up and started acting like a jerk and I burned it!”

She’s so damn sexy when she’s pissed. I can’t help but push her a little more. “Honey, I think whatever you were making was doomed long before I showed up.”

Her brows dive into angry slashes. “Why did I ever think I liked you? You’re just as much of a jerk as those ass*oles in Manhattan.”

I don’t take offense to what I know isn’t true. “At least I’m a jerk that doesn’t burn dinner. What were you trying to make?”

She shakes her head. “Like you care.”