I shrug. “I mean, like,everything.”
“Stone, are y—are you avirgin?”
I drop my face in my hands, wishing I could die right this second.
“Okaaaay, I’ll take that as a yes,” Hanlon says. “Let me back up, though. Have you ever been out with a guy?”
Fuck. I really didn’t want to share this story. Ever. With anyone. But in for a penny, in for a pound, I suppose.
“Yeah. Once.”
“Once?” Hanlon questions, forcing the rest of the story from me.
“Ugh, God, donotrepeat this.” I sigh dramatically before diving in. “I made a profile on a dating-slash-hookup app. Our town is small, but the app said there were a few options. My first match came within an hour of establishing a profile. He reached out andasked if I wanted to meet up.” I suck on my teeth, really hating that I have to say the next part.
“And?” Hanlon asks. “What happened?”
“I showed up to find Logan waiting for me.”
To Hanlon’s credit, he’s able to hold his laughter in for a solid five seconds before he loses it.
“No fucking way!” he roars with laughter. “Sothat’swhy he’s always making innuendos and tries to get under your skin!” Before I can confirm, Hanlon’s laughter cuts off abruptly, and he scowls, looking genuinely pissed.
“Shit, what’d I say now?” I ask.
“Why does his teasing you make me so mad?” Hanlon asks.
“To be fair, he’s not trying to be pushy. I think he’s legitimately into me, and he gives me a hard time because he’s hurt that I turned him down.”
“That’s even worse,” Hanlon grumbles, making me laugh.
“Kind of like watching Micah trying to get with you?” I ask with a raised brow.
“No,” Hanlon says, totally confused. “Micah’s not harassing me to do something I’m not ready for. Plus, we don’t work together, and he took mynoas a no without any added teasing, ridicule, or guilt.”
Wait.
“What do you mean your ‘no’?”
Avoiding my gaze, Hanlon says, “We’re talking about you right now.”
“Come on, Han. It would make me feel a lot better if I weren’t the only vulnerable one in this room.”
“There’s nothing to tell, really. He’s great. He’s just not what I’m looking for,” Hanlon replies stoically.
The huskiness of my voice is reflective of the giant stride I’m about to take into dangerous territory as I ask, “What exactlyareyou looking for?”
I don’t think Hanlon is aware that his eyes dip to my lips. The firelight dances in his pupils, making it easy to tell where his attention is focused.
He’s never looked at me like this before. With admiration? Yes. With respect? Yes. Hatred? Also, yes. But hunger?Never.
Until now.
And fuck, this isn’t good.
Chapter 16
Hanlon
