Page 75 of Offside Angle

Then relief hits me so fast I start grinning.

Oh, thank fuck.

Shane’s frown deepens. “Why do you look happy about that?”

A laugh escapes me, real and easy for the first time in what feels like days. “Just testing a theory.”

“What theory?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“It absolutely fucking matters.” He gestures between us while keeping a death grip on the towel. “You broke into my bathroom and demanded a kiss while my dick is one bad knot away from becoming part of this conversation.”

From behind me, Roman clears his throat. “I would also like an explanation.”

“Later.”

I’m already turning toward the door when Shane catches my arm.

“Rivera.”

I look back.

He studies me for another second, then gestures between us again. “Was I good?”

I stare at him.

Behind me, Roman makes a sound suspiciously close to choking.

“You were fine.”

Shane’s face falls. “Fine?”

“Thanks for your service.”

“Fine?”

I’m laughing by the time I make it into the hallway, Shane shouting something deeply offended after me while Roman apparently tries to talk him down from whatever professional crisis I’ve just caused.

For the first time since this whole disaster started, my brain feels almost quiet.

Maybe Jace was right. Maybe the fact that Santi can turn me inside out with one look doesn’t mean I’ve suddenly discovered an attraction to every man on the planet.

Maybe it’s just him.

Which should probably make this easier.

Somehow, it really fucking doesn’t.

I’m already running toward Santi’s room before I’ve properly decided to go there.

Halfway down the hallway, I realize two things at once: I’m barefoot, and Santi is on a completely different floor.

Neither feels important enough to stop for.

Barefoot stair climbing it is.

I take the stairs two at a time, earning a couple of confused looks from early-rising staff members on the way, but I’m too busy replaying the last five minutes in my head to care. By the time I reach Santi’s floor, I’m slightly out of breath and still riding the ridiculous wave of relief that started in Shane’s bathroom.