The Difference a Day Makes (Perfect, Indiana: Book Two) by Barbara Longley Page A

have to worry.”
    “Yeah, but—”
    “But what?” He scowled. “You expect me to fold myself into that Matchbox toy you call a car?” He nodded toward her Mini.
    “You’ll fit.”
    “It’s all about appearances, right? My ol’ truck has a little rust and a few dents, so you don’t want to be caught dead in it.Ain’t that right, Spoiled Little Rich Girl?” He folded his arms and glowered at her. How did she do it? One minute he was following her with his tongue hanging out and his tail wagging. The next he wanted to give her a good swat on her sweet backside to dislodge the broomstick she rode. “Stuck-up much?”
    “Maybe.” She glared back with her fists on her hips. “Stubborn much?” She raised a single upper-class eyebrow at him.
    He wanted to stomp and holler to get his way. Instead, he hauled her into his arms and planted his mouth on the stubborn straight line of hers. What started in frustration quickly transformed into pure-D lust. Tense at first, she caved and melted into him. Her lips opened under his, and he took advantage, deepening the kiss. Her palms skimmed over his jaw to his cheeks, coming up to knock the hat off his head so she could tangle her fingers into his hair.
    He broke the contact and rasped, “We’re going in my truck.”
    “Fine.” She tugged on his hair until his mouth came back to hers and kissed the smug right out of him.
    “Whoa, darlin’.” The last thing he wanted to do was stop, but they were in Noah’s driveway, and if they didn’t slow down, he’d have her up against his pickup with her legs wrapped around his waist in no time. Better yet, he’d set her on the tailgate so he could stand between her thighs after he peeled those sexy jeans off, or… Shit . He held her at arm’s length and almost dragged her back in when he caught a glimpse of the heat simmering in those lovely green eyes.
    He’d put that sexed-up expression on her face, and that did things to him, like rearrange all his major internal organs. Especially his heart. He leaned over to pick up his hat off the ground and tried to adjust the crotch of his jeans to ease the tightness. “Let’s get going while the going is good.”
    “Don’t expect that tactic to work every time, cowboy.”
    “Why not?” He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and grinned, then groaned at the sight of Ted’s Mustang pulling up the drive. The kid parked his classic next to Ryan’s Chevy—his rusted-out, dented old Chevy.
    “Hey.” Ted spared him a cursory nod and turned to Paige. “I stopped by to see if you’d be interested in going to New Harmony today. There’s a huge craft fair going on. Are you free?”
    “No. She’s not free .” Ryan’s jaw clenched, and his gut twisted. “We already have plans, pup.”
    Ted let out a huff of frustration and scowled. “You gotta be kidding me, Paige. You can’t be going out with—”
    “That’s enough,” Paige snapped. “We had this conversation last night, and I believe I made myself clear.” She opened the door to the truck and climbed in.
    “Yeah, and I made myself clear too. Like you said, we’re family.” Ted glared at Ryan and stuck out his chest. “No reason why we can’t hang out together.”
    “Not gonna happen today, Ted .” Or ever. Ryan’s hands balled into fists, and adrenaline put him on battle-ready status. He sauntered closer, hoping the kid would get the message and back down.
    “Jeez. All that testosterone must be such a burden.” Paige slammed the door and cranked the window down. “Go ahead. Take your dicks out and compare them. I’ll wait.” Crossing her arms, she stared out toward the orchard and away from them. “I’m not going to watch, though. Size doesn’t matter.”
    His tension dissipated, and he fought the urge to laugh. Noah was right; nothing fazed her. Ryan unbuckled his belt with a flourish, biting the inside of his cheek when he heard her utter a few choice expletives under her breath. He raised