“So, confession time,” I said, throwing back a healthy swig of my own. “I’m picking up somevibesfrom you guys.”
“Oh?” Aimee leaned forward. “And what kind ofvibesare those?”
I had to hand it to her, I loved the unapologetic nature she possessed. She clearly was a woman who knew what she wanted and wasn’t about to back down in the face of possible rejection or embarrassment.
It was damn admirable. And also a damn shame it wasn’t doing anything for me.
“So, I’m into men,” I said, flashing a quick smile.
“What a coincidence.” Her own smile widened. “So are we.”
Nice.
My gaydar was so damn good it was scary sometimes.
“Wow, thatisa crazy coincidence,” I replied.
Her hand squeezed my thigh. “So, why don’t you say we sneak back to our cabin and get to know each other a little better?”
Well, it wasn’t like I was doing anything else. And clearly, Blake was off hiding wherever, or holed up in his office still, avoiding the entire world. Which gave my chest a little bit of a twinge—a sting to my pride, as it were.
I wasn’t trying to overstep the line of whatever it was between us by huge margins, at least not in the way that had him too scared to run into me. He was a busy man, not exactly the type to be running around and hanging out at bonfires while sipping on a beer or two after work.
My paranoia was all likely in my head anyway and was giving mefartoo much fodder to read into.
This entire place was hisjob. Not a hangout spot like it was for me and the rest of the guests staying here.
Just go, what’s stopping you?
Slapping my free hand against my thigh, I pushed myself up onto my feet again. My beer swung at my side, the liquid inside of it sloshing dangerously as I turned toward the mess hall again out of instinct, freezing the second I spotted a figure standing close to me.
My eyes widened.
Blake had his arms crossed over his chest, a loose-fitting zip-up jacket draped over his shoulders, one side having fallen to reveal part of his tanned arm. The reflection of the fire caught in his eyes, creating a mesmerizing glow that seemed to come from within, bursting out of him like the sun, barely being contained inside of his body.
The scowl that was plastered on his beautiful face was so out of place that it took me a minute to register it was being directed atme.
Well, that’s a first.
Before I could open my mouth, he said, “Came to check on you. How’s your head.”
I furrowed my brows.
My head?
The last time I checked, I’d been looked at for muscle strains and possible torn ligaments trying to move through the water that was fighting tooth and nail to take me as one of its victims. I wasn’t aware that anyone, Talos, Blake, or the EMTs, were worried about a possible head injury.
Unless that was simply a convenience excuse. If so, it was clever and not at all revealing as to the true reason Blake was seeking me out.
“I didn’t...” My voice trailed off the second I noticed his attention being directed toward Aimee and Luke, that stormy expression becoming downright turbulent.
Oh.
Oh, this is good.
I liked jealousy.
Twisting at my waist, I set my beer bottle down on the log I’d taken up residence on only a moment before and shot them both a wink before turning back around. Blake was focused back on me, his shoulders bunched up near his ears. That wasn’t doing anything to hide his mood.
