Page 58 of Exposing Colorado

Before I can figure it out, before I can even think, Devon leans forward quickly…

And plants his lips on mine.

For one moment, I forget how to breathe, strangled by the reminder of the last time this happened. Unlike then, though, this kiss isn't wild, or messy, or angry. It's just soft. Careful, like we’re both holding something fragile between our teeth.

There's no heat to it, but I still feel a fire ignite in my stomach all the same.

It takes me about five seconds to realize that the flames inside of me are actually blazing with fury.

Devon pulls back, whiskey eyes dark. His brows rise like he’s waiting for a reaction, but I'm stuck in place.

I should fucking punch him. I should be disgusted. But all I feel is that slow, rising panic that comes right before you sink below the surface, unable to draw a final breath.

“What the fuck was that?” I hiss, stepping as far away as I can with the crowd still moving around us.

His jaw tightens. “You tell me.”

“I didn’t ask for that, Devon.”

“No,” he says, voice low as he rakes his gaze down my body. “But your dick sure did.”

And there it is: the guilt. The shame—the reason I should have never agreed to dance with him in the first place.

I turn away, not even bothering to dignify that comment with a response, when my sight catches on a pair of familiar, outraged grey eyes. The world shifts on its axis as my heart jumps into my throat.

I see them all. Everyone. The entire group and their eyes on us.

Huckslee's mid-spin with Taylor, frozen like a statue. Christian has his arm half-lifted to toast Arya, mouth agape.

Then there's Salem, standing alone, cheeks puffed and red like she just got slapped. Like I was the one who slapped her.

The look on her face isn’t even the worst part, nor is the fact that everyone thinks they just saw me kiss my uncle.

No, it's that for one awful, fleeting moment, I'm glad they did.

Because I no longer have to hide.

I'm pretty sure I just broke my wife's heart, but all I feel is relief.

She's better off without me.

Somewhere along the way, I stopped believing I could be redeemed.

And I'm no longer willing to try.

PART TWO

Blue Hour

The space of time just before sunrise and just after sunset when the sun is barely below the horizon, also known as twilight.

Chapter

Twenty-Three

Logan - Six months ago

Back and forth.