A cat may be the perfect next step.
Sierra was almost ready to take the leap.
Chapter Two
Kane Masterson pulled into the parking lot of Ziggy’s Tours and cut the engine. “That concludes our tour for the day, folks. I hope you enjoyed it.”
As he personally escorted them from the Jeep, flashing his customer grin, he noticed the three girls in the back row were nudging each other and giggling. They were obviously students on vacay and had him in their sights for a fun fling. His usual tour dialogue had received suggestive statements and jokes containing the words wild, riding, and stud.
Though they’d be a fun distraction to party with, no way was he getting involved with anyone below drinking age.
The leader, a leggy redhead with a cute sprinkling of freckles, grabbed his hand in an intimate shake. “I can’t thank you enough, Kane. You’re a wonderful tour guide.”
“Thanks, Marcee. It was truly a pleasure.”
He noticed she held a twenty and hoped he’d still get it after the rejection he’d need to bestow.
A flirty smile curved her lips. “We’d love to hear more. Want to join us for a drink later?”
He schooled his face in disappointment. “Normally, I’d jump at the chance, but my sister’s in town with my niece. I’m on babysitting duty all week.”
The girls shared a look. Marcee’s smile turned into a small pout. “Oh. Bummer. Well, we’ll be around tonight and tomorrow if you get any time off. Here’s my number.”
She pressed the bill into his hand with a slip of paper. He pocketed both smoothly. “Sounds good, ladies. Fingers crossed!”
“Definitely!” They disappeared, shooting lingering looks over their shoulders while he waved.
He unloaded the Jeep and walked into Ziggy’s Tours where Brick waited behind the counter.
Smirking.
“Did you use the niece thing again or are you meeting them for drinks?”
Kane shot his friend a suffering look. “Niece. They’re practically jailbait.”
Brick laughed. “You’re really raking in the dough for me, man. Who would’ve thought that pretty face could be such a gold mine?”
“Fuck you.”
His friend laughed harder, but Kane really didn’t care. He’d accepted his good looks as a gift years ago, and didn’t take himself too seriously. Though it wasn’t fair, society still rewarded such things by bestowing more opportunities, and Kane grabbed every single one. Sometimes, it had been the only factor allowing him to survive.
“Want to join me and Aspen for dinner tonight?” Brick asked.
He lifted a brow. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll steal her from you with my apparent pretty face and charm?”
“Nah, she said you’re ugly.”
Now, it was Kane’s turn to laugh. “You wish.”
Brick’s face turned serious. “No, for real. Join us. I really appreciate you stepping in and helping me get this business profitable again. In a matter of a few weeks, you carved out a place here. Helping Marco and Judy. Hell, I even heard Mr. Pitts took a liking to you, and he hates everyone.”
Mr. Pitts was an elderly man who lived next door to Brick. He terrorized children, animals, and his surrounding neighbors. Whenever people spotted him, they took care to duck or hide to avoid the man’s sour face and blistering tongue. Somehow, Kane didn’t take offense. Mr. Pitts was lonely and obviously miserable. At least he never tried to hide behind a fake veneer. Kane respected the truthful way he was awful to all equally.
“I think liking is too strong of a word. I took his garbage out since it was raining last week. He bitched me out for taking away his choice.”
“Yeah, but he left it out there. When I tried, he dragged those cans right back to prove his point.”
“What can I say? People like me more than you.”
