Page 64 of Slide

She forced herself to look away and hand over her order. Adam was at her side a second later, looming over her. He leaned in, lips brushing her ear, and she froze, couldn’t move—God, couldn’t think.

“What did they say to you?” he rasped.

The hair at the back of her neck lifted, her lips suddenly tingling. The urge to turn in to him and press her mouth against his, to kiss the stubbornness right out of them, was hard to resist.

Then his words registered and she spun to face him. “What?”

The muscle in his jaw jumped. “You heard me.”

“Whoa.” She held up her hands, heart pounding, and pissed off, so damn pissed off. “We’re not doing this.” She jabbed him in the chest. “You are not doing this.”

His eyes shuttered. “Do what?”

“This male territorial bullshit. We both knew what we were doing, and now it’s over.”

“I thought I knew, but then you got on a bus and left.” His hand snaked out, fingers fisting her shirt at her waist. “You left and we still had a night, Lucy. You took that away from me.”

His face was so close, his ragged breaths brushing her cheek. She could feel herself weakening. Why was he saying these things?

“I couldn’t…I knew I…”

“I’m sorry,” he rasped. “I said things I shouldn’t have. I acted like an asshole. I just…the idea of someone hurting you…” His mouth pressed against her temple. “I lost it. I’m sorry.”

Having him this close, touching her, hearing the hot rasp in his voice…God, her body went up in flames. She wanted to twist toward him and wrap her body around him and never let go. Let him carry her out of here and lose herself in him, screw the consequences. But that wasn’t going to happen, it couldn’t happen. Carrying on like this was not only reckless but just plain stupid, and she was done thinking only of herself. Of not thinking about who her careless choices might affect.

So instead of pressing closer, she gently pulled back, putting some distance between them. “Look. It’s…it’s fine. Let’s just forget any of this happened, okay?” Even as she said the words she didn’t believe them.

“’Cause it was a mistake, right?” His jaw was hard again.

“Yes,” she whispered. She doubted he heard her over the loud music, but he’d seen her answer on her lips.

He took a step closer. “Maybe I don’t want to forget—”

“You ready to leave?” Joe said to Adam, appearing suddenly at their sides.

She spun to face her brother. Shit. He was still in the bar? She’d assumed he’d left. He could have seen her and Adam.

“You two look like you’re having a serious conversation.” Her brother’s gaze slid between the two of them.

She shook her head, forcing a sardonic grin. “Adam was being his usual douchey self.”

“And your little sister is being a brat,” Adam said, catching the lifesaver she’d thrown. Thankfully Joe didn’t seem to pick up on the total lack of enthusiasm behind his words.

Joe snorted. “You two need to sort your shit out, seriously. You need to be more like me. I don’t even know how I do it sometimes. So many hats. So many. Model citizen, devoted boyfriend, sex god…”

Lucy punched his arm. “Stop there before I throw up in my mouth.”

“You’re right. There can only be one sex god. Trying to be like me is an impossible goal that will only set you up for failure.”

She gave her brother a shove toward the exit. “I have drinks to deliver. Leave already.”

Joe smacked a kiss on her cheek, patted her on the head, and glanced at Adam. “Let’s roll.”

Adam didn’t take his eyes off her as he dipped his chin.

Then they walked away, and she couldn’t take her eyes off Adam, couldn’t look away until he disappeared out the door.

She dragged in a sharp breath, only realizing she’d been holding it while she watched him leave.