Read Online Plain Jane & The Hotshot by Meagan McKinney - Free Book Online Page A

man-hungry.”
    Kayla’s green gaze shifted to Nick. “She plays hard to get, and you fall for it. But how long did it take your ‘nice girl’ to rub up against you like a cat? Just remember, Nick—she’s pulled her lah-de-dah act on plenty of guys before you. I’d be very, very careful to practice safe sex with her.”
    On that spiteful and triumphant note, Kayla spun gracefully around and flounced off.
    â€œLook,” Nick began awkwardly, “I didn’t know she was here—”
    â€œPlease just leave me alone,” Jo cut him off coldly. Anger and mortification—along with a good dose of self-loathing—all warred within her.
    â€œPlease, I—”
    â€œWhy did you have to do that?” she again cut him off.
    â€œYou didn’t seem to mind until Kayla piped up.”
    â€œWrong! You…you caught me off guard, is all. I would’ve stopped you after I—after—”
    â€œAfter you cooled down a little? You sure got plenty warm all of a sudden.”
    â€œI meant to say after I caught my breath!” Jo insisted, pushing him aside and hurrying onto the bridge.
    â€œYeah, hot and breathless, that describes you, all right,” Nick teased even as she escaped in mortifiedanger. “That’s exactly how I’m going to remember you, sweetheart.”
    Despite her immediate relief after fleeing from Nick Kramer, Jo quickly realized she was a woman without sanctuary. The moment she returned to camp, she felt Kayla’s smug eyes tracking her everywhere like video security.
    It still hadn’t quite registered with Jo; not only had she responded eagerly to Nick’s advance, she had proved Kayla right. Or so it certainly appeared. But Jo still fooled herself that she was the victim of circumstances and false impressions.
    He did cut me off in midbreath, she assured herself. My response was confused, delayed, my body didn’t have my mind’s permission. He caught me completely by surprise.
    â€œRandy” is just another word for young and healthy, she thought.
    Hazel’s voice cut into her unpleasant thoughts. “Good morning, sourpuss. What’s the matter?”
    â€œMorning, Hazel,” Jo replied tersely. She was busy filling the smaller water jug used for cooking. “I’m doing just fine.”
    Hazel gave that reply a skeptical snort.
    â€œKayla’s up and dressed,” Hazel remarked with exaggerated innocence as she put coffee water on to boil. “And looking smug as the cat that tortured the canary before he ate it. Don’t tell me you two’ve locked horns already this morning with the birds barely awake.”
    â€œKayla? I didn’t notice,” Jo replied.
    Dottie, still brushing her thick white hair, emerged from the cabin, her nose sampling the air.
    â€œWhere’s the coffee?” she demanded. “There’s no life possible without caffeine.”
    â€œOh, Jo’s got us all behind schedule,” Hazel teased. “A certain Hotshot has got her all discombobulated.”
    Anger spiked Jo’s pulse.
    â€œYou don’t help any,” she said, exasperated. “I’ve got a strong hunch you’re playing Cupid again, Hazel.”
    Hazel winked at Dottie.
    â€œPlead guilty,” the cattle baroness replied, “and you avoid the jury.”
    â€œYes,” Jo fumed, “but what about that tangled web we weave, et cetera?”
    Her accusing gaze happened to land on Dottie.
    â€œDon’t look at me,” Dottie protested in her acquired Texas twang. “I’ve got no dog in this fight. As for Cupid, how comes he’s always naked, anyhow?”
    Despite her anger and embarrassment, Jo couldn’t help laughing at both sly old gals and their shenanigans. They’re just girls, too, Jo realized, still plotting schoolgirl pranks and playing “guess who’s got a boyfriend.”
    Jo’s mood lightened even