“God, I hope so,” I murmur back, skin tingling with anticipation.
The announcer’s voice crackles over the loudspeaker, drowning out the music for a second. “Alright, folks! Time for a fresh hunk for you to dunk!”
Jax hauls himself out of the tank, muscles rippling, water sluicing off his body like he’s in some sort of freaking slow-motion commercial for an expensive cologne.
Grabbing a towel, he gives his head a quick shake, spraying water everywhere. Tossing a wink in my direction, he disappears behind the curtain to dry off and change.
When I see who’s up next, my eyebrows shoot up. Gripping the hem of a T-shirt that looks a size too small for his muscular chest, he pulls it over his head, and the crowd—which is mostly women—goes nuts.
“Isn’t that Lizzy’s twin, Logan?” Noia asks.
“Sure is,” I murmur, watching him.
Logan Cade has a rugged edge that screams: “I fight fires for fun.” His smirk says he knows exactly what he’s doing when it comes to every woman within a fifty-foot radius. He scans the crowd with a practiced, easy grin, but when his gaze passes over our little group, his eyes lock onto Reyna.
Grin faltering only for a moment, his eyes narrow into sharp chips of emerald as a flicker of what looks like recognition crosses his face before the sexy grin is back. Climbing the ladder, he situates himself on the dunk seat.
I side-eye Reyna, who looks as if she’s been struck by lightning. Eyes wide, mouth slightly parted, a deep, rosy flush has made its way across her chest and up her neck, and she’s gaping at Logan like she’s seen a ghost.
My inner matchmaker starts doing backflips as I nudge her arm. “You okay?”
Reyna blinks, tearing her gaze away from the broody hunk.She looks stunned, her chest rising and falling before she shakes her head and looks over at me.
“Yup. I’m golden,” she says, looking down at the pink ticket clutched in her hand.
When the announcer calls out, “Next!” a wicked, predatory gleam flashes in her eyes. It’s the kind of look a hunter gives its prey right before taking the deadly shot.
Holding the ticket up in the air, her voice is suddenly full of excitement as she calls out, “That’s me!” as she marches up to the throw line with unflinching conviction.
Logan is watching Reyna, jaw pulsing, gripping the edges of the seat so hard his knuckles are white. The tension in the air between them is practically humming.
Tearing his eyes away from her, he grins at the crowd and raises a fist. “Let’s do this thing!”
Cheers ring out, and I glance over at Reyna. The look in her eyes is almost feral as she moves up, hands her ticket to the volunteer, and takes the softballs.
“Ten bucks says she hits on the first try,” Noia snickers.
“No shit,” I snort, crossing my arms. “She looks like she wants to drown his ass.”
Eyes laser-sharp and focused, I watch as Reyna’s eyes lock with Logan’s. When she gives him a sly smirk, he tips his chin, and she lets the ball fly.
CLANG!
Logan doesn’t even have time to brace himself before he’s plunging into the water.
“Damn,” I grin. “Remind me never to get on her bad side.”
As Logan resurfaces, soaking wet and looking far less smug, a pair of hands slide around my waist from behind. The scent of chlorine fills my nose, and I lean back against Jax’s solid chest.
“He had it coming,” he murmurs into my ear, his voice a lowvibration that makes my toes curl. “Logan’s been a grumpy prick all morning.”
“Maybe he just needed to cool off,” I tease, turning in his arms.
Jax pulls me closer. “Forget Logan. I believe I owe you payback for that bullseye, sweet cheeks.”
“Hey,” Noia laughs. “Am I gonna have to tell you two to get a room?”
Placing a quick kiss to my lips, Jax pulls away. “No time for that, unfortunately. I’ve gotta get over to the batting cages. Meet up with me later?”
