Page 15 of Off-Limits Bad Boy
“Alex is an idiot. And so are you.” Her words are quick and dismissive, but they don't match the flush creeping up her neck. Her words don’t hide her fear... or the feelings welling up in her. I can see the heat in her eyes, the excitement in the set of her lips as she remembers that night with me.
“Am I?”
She nods. “Nothing happened. Get over yourself.”
I lean in closer, lowering my voice as her eyes widen and she takes a deep breath, freezing like I’ll lose track of her if she’s still enough. “Didn’t it, though? My hands on your wrists, your back against the wall. We were close, Emma. So damn close. I could have kissed you. What then?”
Her breath catches. She sighs a long, heavy, exhale and for a second, her guard drops. Her pulse dances in her throat, her eyes sparkle with need, and her trembling hands betray her calm facade.
“Go away, Kade.” The words are almost a whisper as her blue eyes dart away from mine like she can’t face me... or the truth.
“Emma—”
“No, Kade.” The words are firmer now, as if she’s made up her mind, without even considering my thoughts.
The door swings shut again.
I stand there, fist raised mid-knock, suspended in place as I hesitate. Walking away feels like giving up. Continuing isn’t going to get me anywhere - she’s made that clear. I turn, my mind racing.
She wasn’t alone. Any idiot could see that. But she didn’t seem to be in trouble or afraid. She just seemed annoyed with me.
So who was in there with her?
Obviously someone she didn’t want me to know about. That only really leaves one option in my mind, and my jaw tightens at the thought of her with some other guy. Someone else’s hands on her, their lips touching her body, their...
I halt the line of thinking, gritting my teeth so hard my jaw aches.
It shouldn't matter who she’s with, even if any are being intimate. It shouldn’t matter. She's not mine. But every cell in my body screams otherwise. She may not be mine, but I want her for myself.
“Damn it,” I say under my breath. I make my way to my car, the sound of my own footsteps drowned out by the rapid drumming of my heart. What the hell am I going to do now?
Chapter Seven
Emma
The silence from the other side of my door is deafening.
I’m afraid to walk away, because I expect him to knock yet again. With a glance over my shoulder, I meet Ryan’s gaze. He tilts his head and brings his shoulders up in a clear question, but all I can do is shake my head and hold my breath.
I can’t explain with every cell in my body on high alert for another round of Kade's questions.
“What was that about?” Ryan asks, his voice betraying both concern and curiosity.
“Work,” I say. It’s not quite a lie, but it’s not the whole truth, either. I brush a strand of hair behind my ear and remind myself I don’t owe Ryan - or anyone else - an explanation.
But Ryan knows Alex. So I can't let on that Kade is at my door, because if Ryan gets even a whiff of that, it'll be back to Alex before I can blink, and I'm not ready for that conversation.
Ryan nods - maybe accepting my answer too easily - and I exhale a quiet breath of relief. But having him here, now, makes my stomach twist. He's been a constant, a longtime friend. He’s like an old tree outside my childhood home, always just there. His presence is comforting, but maybe too familiar.
I creep away from the door, hoping if I back away slowly, Kade will be less likely to knock again. I know it doesn't make sense, but what else can I do?
“You were telling me about work,” Ryan says, trying to get the conversation back on track.
“Yeah, Alex wants to hire some new DJ.” I roll my eyes as the smell of pizza invades my nose.
“And you... don’t...?” Ryan seems unsure, and I shrug. Our friendship has always been easy. He’s a good person to talk to and I appreciate him.
“I don’t care one way or another. I just don’t know why he wants someone new.”