Holiday Hostilities (Cyclones Christmas #2)

by Katie Bailey

“If you wanted to get my attention, you could have just said hi.” The deep, rich timbre of his voice is unsettlingly familiar, yet completely foreign at the same time.

“Absolutely not!” I cry as Aaron holds his hands up and says, “It’s nothing like that.” Well, there you go. We finally agree on something.

“What’s up, Lil Griz?” I inquire with an innocent smile. I gave her that nickname a million years ago. Mostly because, back in high school, I thought she was insanely hot and it was a good way to constantly remind myself that she was my best buddy’s little sister. A decade later, the name has stuck. She’s still hot, too.

How, underneath all the banter and sparring, I was always kind of obsessed with the fire in her eyes.

“I hate you.” “You know what they say, don’t you? ‘Hate is much closer to love than indifference.’ Which means you practically love me.” Her cheeks flare an entirely new, quite pretty, shade of maroon. “In your dreams, Marino!” And, purely for scientific purposes (AKA to see if I can make those cheeks darken to an even deeper red), I wink at her. “Every night, Lil Griz.” Like I said, when in doubt, act like a jackass.

I meet her eyes. “I remember everything about you, Olivia. Every last detail.”

“Olivia.” He turns around and his eyes meet mine. “I don’t give a damn about my car right now. What I do give a damn about is getting you home safe. Will you please allow me to do that?”

But that’s not exactly true. I like Olivia, always have. I just really like getting a rise out of her.

“Nah, I was always more into redheads.” “Ha, ha.” My voice feels suddenly thick and I hope he can’t hear it. He illegally parks the truck right where he illegally parked his car the last time he dropped me home and turns to look at me, his eyes burning into mine with undeniable heat this time as he says, “I’m not joking, Olivia.” And then, before I can say anything at all, or even catch my damn breath, he gets out of the truck.

And right there, in the darkness, I realize with startling clarity that I have, indeed, fallen head over heels in love with her.