Instead I pull a blanket over my lap, trying very hard to appearnormal. Calm. Friendly-but-not-too-friendly. You know—exactly the kind of vibe you give off when your older brother is sitting right there and your fake fiancé is trying to undo you with every stolen glance.
Ash is sitting next to me, way too relaxed, his thigh warm against mine and his body radiating that infuriating mix of lazy amusement and smoldering heat.
He does a slow, casual stretch—like ayawnmight follow next. His arm goes up behind me along the back of the couch.
Classic move.
I stiffen instantly. My eyes cut sideways, daring him.
Don’t you dare.
He doesn’t look at me. Just keeps staring at the screen like Vin Diesel’s monologue is life-altering. But I see the smirk twitching at the corner of his mouth.
Then his handmoves. Slipping down. Inch by inch. Like we’re in the freaking eighth grade and he’s trying the oldest move in the book.
My jaw drops. I slap his hand away under the blanket—hard.
He jerks, more amused than injured, biting back a laugh.
I narrow my eyes and whisper, “What are youdoing?”
He leans in, voice low and maddening. “Trying to see if you’ll let me second base you in front of your brother.”
My entire body heats. “Ash.”
“Just testing your reflexes.”
I glare. “They work fine, thanks.”
Liam doesn’t notice. He’s too caught up in the movie, chuckling at the screen. “If I ever got caught sneaking into a government facility,” he says, “I’d at least wear a better outfit.”
Ash turns back toward the TV, smug and innocent. Like he didn’t just try to grope me five inches from my sibling.
I cross my arms and force my gaze back to the movie.
He rests his handjusta little too close to my thigh.
Idon’tmove it.
And I’m definitely not sneaking glances at the way his forearms flex as he tears off another slice. Not noticing the faint ink smudges near his elbow or the way the veins trace down like a road map to sin.
Nope. Not at all.
I’m a pillar of self-control.
A paragon of restraint.
Except… Iknowwhat that mouth of his can do. That mouth—currently chewing on a slice of pepperoni like it hasn’t whispered the filthiest things I’ve ever heard. That mouth has beenon me. Every inch. Worshipping, teasing, tasting.
I shift in my seat.
Focus, Olive.
Ash chuckles at something Liam says, and I swear—swear—the way his eyes flick to mine for half a second is intentional. Like heknowswhat I’m thinking about.
I grab my drink and sip it like hydration is the answer to everything that’s currently wrong with my life. The glass nearly slips from my hand because my palms are suddenly sweating. Great. Cool. Love that for me.
I can feel Ash's smirk without even looking.
