Page 49 of Nothing to Tell

Tensing, she clearly didn’t see the funny side.

“If those are your requirements, find yourself a different front.”

No sense of humor, huh?No prizes for guessing why.

“You’re punishing me for his mistakes,” Bastian said.“You do see that, don’t you?You’re still smarting over Damon and waiting for it to happen again.You’re pushing me away so I can’t get close enough to hurt you.”

“This isn’t real,” she said.

He couldn’t disagree more.What he felt might be sudden and unique, but that only enhanced his certainty.

“Feels real to me,” he said, backing her into a corner.

Angling them in the confined space wasn’t planned.It just happened.Alone as they could get in this crowded space, it was the only place he wanted to be.

Harper shook her head.“What are we doing?”she whispered.“One kiss and then we’re at each other like cat and dog.”

Bingo!She felt it too.Though her reaction contrasted his.Their magnetism enticed him while it unsettled her.When her palm went to her forehead, he rested his forearm on the wall above her head to crowd in closer.

“I’m not seeing anyone else.”

“I know,” she said, dropping her hand to his chest, igniting heat in his body beneath her dainty fingers.“It’s none of my business anyway.I have no reason not to take you at your word.You’re right.I’m lashing out because… because I don’t want to be made a fool of again.”

Wasn’t on his agenda, but he was prepared to make one of himself.

“Sweet,” he murmured, tracing his finger down her temple.“I won’t make a fool out of you.”

“Do you promise?”she said, curling her fingers until her nails bit into him, just a little.

There was something so intimate about that act, like her subconscious wanted to pull him to her.His body was willing to go.More than willing.

“Harper!”

The feminine exclamation turned them both around.

“Roxie,” he said but the woman was already reaching past him.

“Not here for you, Hunt,” Roxie said, taking Harper’s hand.“Girl talk time.”

EIGHTEEN

THEY KEPT ON going until the bar stopped their progress.

Roxie slapped a hand down as the bartender came their way.“Two piña coladas, please.”The guy frowned.“Got a problem?”

“No, ma’am,” he said and retreated to mix the drinks.

“Sit, sit,” Roxie said, hopping onto a stool of her own.“How are you doing?”

“You heard about the kiss?”

“Saw it, baby,” Roxie said.“Nothing wrong with lovin’ your man.”

“I embarrassed him.”

“I don’t think you did.Did he say that?If he’s got a problem—”

“No, he would never say that.I’m just… an idiot.”