Kelsey yelped from the lookout point above. “This is amazing! I gotta take some pics for Snap!”
Rowan leaned on the rail beside Everett. Their hands almost touched. “Thanks for offering to go with her,” he said quietly. “You’re becoming much more than her surf instructor.”
The words threaded gently through her defenses. “I enjoy being with her.”
They settled into a comfortable silence and shared the beauty of the view. “I had a good time at dinner. I’d like to take Kelsey to a luau. Would you join us?”
She blinked. Not a date, right? Weren’t they still in dislike with each other? “Why?”
His laugh burst from his chest, deep and rich. Rowan stared in fascination, wanting him to do it again. “Well, Kelsey would love for you to come, and you mentioned Cousin Howie was a highlight in one of them. And since I’m still not paying for lessons, I’d like to invite you for a nice evening. If you want to come.”
She hesitated, wondering if it was a good idea. Finally, she nodded. “Okay.”
Amusement danced in his eyes. “Don’t sound so excited. I can be charming when I want. Look at how much our hiking companion liked me.”
Rowan snorted. “She was with you for five minutes. It’s not a great recommendation.”
Everett shook his head. “Maybe you need to give me another chance.”
“To show me you’re not an asshole?”
His voice dropped to a sexy growl. “Yeah. And to show you other things.”
The heat that seared between them made the sun seem lukewarm. Her breath caught as his gaze drilled into hers and promised things that he shouldn’t. Dark, dirty, sexy things. Things she shouldn’t want with this man.
Rowan stepped back first. It felt necessary.
“We should head down,” she said, before anything inside her could take root.
Everett nodded. “Got it.”
Kelsey raced ahead again as they descended, leaving Rowan and Everett alone on the narrow trail. Their arms brushed again, and this time Everett didn’t move away. “I keep thinking about that moment in the shop. About what you said.”
Alarm bells rang but she couldn’t seem to care. “Which part?”
He slid her a look. “The part where you said I wanted to kiss you.”
Rowan stiffened. “I was pissed off and lost my temper. Let’s forget the whole thing.”
“What if I don’t want to?” he asked, stepping just close enough to tease. Her fingers itched to touch his muscled chest and run a finger over those defined abs. She tried not to look at his quirking mouth, which seemed much more inviting than when those lips were thinned with disapproval.
“Careful,” Rowan said.
“Of what?”
“You’re getting close to things you can’t control.”
His gaze dropped. “That’s the problem,” he murmured.
“Look,” she said, voice a little too breathless, “whatever that was back at the shop and—”
“Dinner?” he supplied helpfully.
She glared. “Yes. It shouldn’t happen again. I’m not sure I like you.”
“I may be able to fix that.”
She couldn’t help but laugh at his familiar arrogance. “God, you’re impossible! Realistically? You and I are a terrible idea. We’re too different, Suit. It’d be a disaster.”
