Page 19 of Viper

He placed her bag on the couch. “Small. I didn’t plan on anyone else sleeping here.”

She arched an eyebrow then sauntered close to where he stood by the sofa. He didn’t move. Didn’t flinch. Didn’t retreat—not that he could without falling into the couch.

“You never answered my question earlier,” she said, seeming to handpick each word. Her pink lips pulled into a cute pout.

He folded his arms across his chest so he wouldn’t touch her. Wouldn’t take her full, perfect mouth into his.

It’d been two fucking months since he kissed her. Two months of regret—both for what he’d done and for not taking things further. For telling her he couldn’t be with her. For not saying to hell with Striker and⁠—

She raised her eyebrows.

“’Bout what?”

“Why you’re here.”

He sighed and slipped his gaze away from hers. He wouldn’t lie to her. Dragging his attention back to her woeful eyes, he fought the rising urge to kiss her. “I came here to see you.”

Her eyes rounded. Her lips parted a fraction, and she rocked onto the outsides of her feet and back. “Why?” she asked, the question soft and riddled with doubt.

He ran his hand over his face. “I’m tired, Paige. I need a shower and I’m sure you want one, too.”

She glanced down at the sweatshirt covering her. “Go ahead,” she said, taking a step back. “I need to call my brother anyway.”

“Good idea.” He took his phone from his pocket and handed it to her, then retreated to the bathroom. Shutting the door, he pressed his hand on the wall next to the frame and let out a loose, shuddering breath.

Which didn’t do a damn thing for the tightness in his chest.

After stripping off his clothes with more force than necessary, he flicked on the shower faucet.

He had a lot of explaining to do. Shit he couldn’t even explain to himself, let alone Paige. Because a few months ago, he’d inflicted pain on her heart, and now he’d come a thousand miles to see her.

Yeah, shit didn’t make sense to him either.

“You sure you’re all right?”

“I’m fine.” Not quite. She was cold, irritable, and needed sleep. But knowing Atlas, he’d likely been sick with worry ever since she phoned him from Craig’s boat. “Thank you for getting me help. I knew I could count on you.”

The sound of water splashing inside the shower made her senses prickle. Of all the wild things she’d imagined happening on this trip, being stuck in an apartment with Troy wasn’t one of them. Butterflies batted against the walls of her belly.

Part of her wanted to hang up on her brother, toss the phone, and get in the shower with Troy. Desire and temptation feasted on her conscience. Suddenly, she couldn’t think of one good reason not to join him.

Oh, yeah. He’s my brother’s best friend. Duh.

She tried to conjure up an image of how pissed Atlas would be, but it didn’t dim her attraction for Troy one iota.

“Pretty lucky Viper’s in Florida too. Did he say why he’s there?” Atlas’s words squashed the desire building inside her. Nothing could ruin her sex drive quite like the sound of her brother’s voice.

The fact that she was even having such impure thoughts was bad enough—never mind while she spoke with Atlas.

She glanced toward the closed bathroom door and curled her legs onto the couch. Her body still buzzed with anxiety and her skin was rough and gritty from the ocean. “No.”

“Hmph. Well, I guess I’m glad he’s there.” A beat passed. “Look, sis. I don’t want this coming across the wrong way or anything but⁠—”

“Just say it.” She fought the urge to roll her eyes.

He tsked. “Why the hell’d you get on that man’s boat? And by yourself, for that matter.”

“Believe it or not, I have a sex life.”