“Seems to me you two are enjoying each other’s company.” Scarlett’s grin turned positively wicked. “Your penthouse is filled with sexual tension.”
My hands froze mid–candy drop.Well, crap. Was it that obvious?
“Attraction isn’t the same thing as affection,” I said weakly.
“Says the girl who had a guy literally sleep on her floor just to make sure she was safe.” Faith’s voice was gentle, but her words hit like tiny arrows straight to my chest.
The heat that flooded my cheeks could have powered the entire penthouse. Even I couldn’t deny how much Axel’s protectiveness had meant to me. All this time, I’d felt like I had to be the strong one for my family, the one who held everything together. But Axel had just … stayed. Without being asked. Without expecting anything.
I shook my head, trying to dislodge the dangerous thoughts taking root. “I should want Mathew.”
The words hung in the air like a confession I hadn’t meant to make.
Scarlett’s hands stilled on her bag stuffing. “Did you catch that, girls?”
“Sure did,” Faith said, her voice singsong.
“Loud and clear,” Tessa added with a knowing smile.
“Catch what?” I glanced around the table, but their expressions told me I’d walked straight into a trap.
“You saidshould. Youshouldwant Mathew,” Faith pointed out.
Crap.
“Poor choice of words,” I claimed, but my voice lacked conviction.
“Admit it.” Scarlett leaned forward like she was about to solve the mystery of the century. “Somewhere along the way, you’ve started to like Axel. A lot. Maybe even more than you ever liked Mathew.”
The accusation hit too close to home, sending panic skittering through my chest. Because it was true. Somewhere between the pranks and the protection and the way he looked at me like I was the most fascinating puzzle he’d ever encountered, I’d started to fall for him. Hard.
“Axel isn’t right for me,” I said quickly, the words tumbling out like a well-rehearsed defense. “He doesn’t want kids. He’s basically a man-child. He’s immature, and he lives to drive me insane.”
And he makes me explore things about myself I never wanted to before.And he remembers how I like my coffee. And when he thought I might be in danger, he looked like he’d burn the world down to keep me safe. And if I ever did sleep with him, I know he’d dote on my every sexual desire.
“Anyone else hearing all that protesting?” Tessa asked.
“Crystal clear,” Faith confirmed.
Desperate to deflect, I pointed at Faith. “Says the girl who was looking at Ryker the other day like he was walking in slow motion in an action movie.”
Faith’s cheeks pinked. “Did not.”
“Oh my God.” Scarlett threw her hands up, scattering ribbon everywhere. “Isn’t it hilarious how we deny what’s completely obvious to everyone else?”
“Fine, he’s hot,” Faith admitted, waving a hand dismissively. “So I have functioning eyeballs. Sue me.”
“Those weren’tthat guy is hotlooks you two were exchanging,” I pressed, grateful to have the spotlight off my own romantic disaster. “Those wereI want to climb you like a treelooks.”
“Ryker’s a good guy,” Tessa said softly, and something in her tone made us all pause. She would know. Not only because she was his sister, but also, from what I’d heard, Ryker had kept Blake out of prison after he’d ended the life of the man who’d attacked Tessa. Self-defense, but still. “And he’s single.”
“Not interested.” But Faith’s voice had lost its playful edge.
“Why?” Scarlett asked, her tone gentler now. “By your own admission, he’s gorgeous. You two clearly have chemistry. So, why not give him a shot?”
The change in Faith was immediate and heartbreaking. Her face fell, all the laughter and lightness draining away like someone had flipped a switch. When she spoke, it was so soft, I almost couldn’t hear her. “Trust me, if he really knew about my past, he’d run in the opposite direction.”
It broke my heart, hearing her pain. I wanted to ask her what happened. What made her believe that a wonderful guy wouldn’t ever be interested in someone like her.
