Page 22 of Hard Count
Neither of them looked away. The moment stretched longer than either of them expected. Long enough to make the air feel heavier.
“You don’t seem worried,” Piper said.
“About what?”
“Consequences.”
Noah shrugged. “I play football for a living.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“Feels similar.”
Piper watched him carefully.
“You’re reckless.”
Noah smiled. “You noticed.”
Noah reached past him for a glass of champagne, his arm brushing lightly against Piper’s chest. The contact lasted less than a second, but the sexual tension did not.
***
Across the rooftop, Carmen nudged Vivienne. “The boys found each other.”
“They’re flirting.” Vivienne took a slow sip.
“I don’t ask questions.” Carmen smiled.
***
Back at the bar, Noah leaned closer. “You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
“Pretending you’re not interested.”
Piper laughed quietly. “You’re being unbelievably fucking extra right now.”
“I feel like I’m occasionally correct sometimes.” Noah stepped closer. Close enough that Piper could feel him again.
“You walked into that bathroom,” Noah said.
“Yes.”
“You locked the door.”
“Yes.”
Noah started talking under his breath so nobody at the party could hear the conversation.
“You didn’t leave.”
Piper held his gaze. “No.”
Noah smiled slowly. “That’s what I thought.”
Piper stepped away. “I should go.”
