Page 63 of Hell or High Water
But if Nate was considering it, Ramseymightcome in handy. He had an unreal ability to charm and indisputably knew how to defuse a situation.
“Okay,” Nate said. “Let’s go.”
“Wait,” Ramsey said, reaching for his arm. Nate always forgot that Ramsey was strong too, a professional athlete, until obvious moments, like this, when with a single grip, he could keep Nate in place.
“What is it?” Nate asked.
“Let’s see what he says first.”
Nate relaxed, and then to his surprise, Ramsey released his grip but instead of letting go, his fingers trailed down his arm and tucked into Nate’s, tangling them together. Squeezing once, then twice.
Nate swallowed hard as their eyes met. He wanted to lean in and kiss Ramsey. Stop fighting this thing between them. It had been soul-shaking enough the first time, but Nate didn’t think he’d be able to keep to his feet now.
But it was still Ramsey who looked away first.
Then Nate’s phone buzzed and Ramsey shifted closer to him, so he could read the screen too.
just some shit.And then after, instead of explaining whatanyof the shit was, Jordan just sent him a location.
Fuck.
Ramsey sighed, which was exactly how Nate felt. They grabbed their coats, and a minute later, they were out the door.
“You ever been there?” Ramsey asked as they headed downstairs. He was on his phone now, and as they rode the elevator down to the ground floor, he tilted it towards Nate so he could see he was getting them a ride to the Wild Leopard.
“A few times,” Nate admitted as they exited the elevator.
He wasn’t surprised when Ramsey did a double take. “You’ve been to the Wild Leopard,” he stated baldly. “Afewtimes.”
“Not out of personal choice,” Nate said.
Ramsey grinned. “Youarea good mentor, going to look at all those hot naked ladies, when you don’t give a shit about hot naked ladies.”
“Right?” Nate snorted under his breath. “Totally fucking wasted on me.”
“He gets that right?” Ramsey asked.
“Oh, he knows.” Nate pushed the door open, holding it for Ramsey.
“Car should be here in two,” Ramsey said. “Blue Tesla sedan.”
“I wish he would’ve given me some kind of clue,” Nate said, pacing in front of the building.
“He did warn you, at least.”
“I should’ve known better,” Nate grumbled.
“If you’re gonna tell me you’d have taken me on a date to the Wild Leopard, I don’t believe you.”
“No, I wouldn’t have.” Nate shoved his hands into his pockets. He’d been here for two seasons now, and the bitterness of the November cold still took him by surprise. Ramsey had let go of his hand in the elevator, and now he almost wanted to reach back for it, for warmth. Or at least that was the lie his uncooperative brain wanted to believe.
“So what, you’d have ditched me for your problem rookie?”
He wouldn’t have done that either. Ramsey had to know it. He shouldn’t be making Nate admit it, but he seemed to want to.
Nate just didn’t know why.
He didn’t need to. He’d already positioned Nate exactly where he wanted him, and Nate wasn’t moving. Not until he had a compelling reason.
