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We stop to rest at the entrance of an alley. The brick at my back scratches my shoulder blades when I shuffle sideways, trying to put some distance between us.
Koa’s always been a handsome man, but I don’t want him getting the wrong impression. It wasn’t until Hallevah that I ever felt a twinge of attraction toward him, and even then, that attraction wasn’t strong enough to warrant anything more than a one-night stand.
“I’m glad Carrie invited us out tonight,” he says, his deep voice rumbling beside me.
“Me, too.” If only because he and the rest of our friends are familiar, easy—unlike the man I left at Azúcar.
“Mom mentioned Lucy came by the house a couple of days ago.”
“Mm-hmm.” I’m trying my best to focus on what he’s saying about my mother, but it’s nearly impossible with my head spinning like this.
“I’ll admit, I was a little shocked to hear that you told her we were dating.”
“I… What?” It takes seconds longer than it should to remember I’d lied to my parents about dating him.
I snort a laugh, not bothering to think before I say, “Oh, I just said that to get my parents off my back about dating.”
When that effortless arrogance slips from his face, I grab his hand, rushing to soften the blow. “Oh, I didn’t mean that you aren’t dateable, cause you totally are. The girls in Augustine? They love your muscles and… stuff.”
His frown deepens.
“Sorry. What I’m trying to say is we’re friends. That’d be weird, right?”
He shifts so he’s in front of me, and when my head tips up, his eyes are glazed from alcohol and swimming with desire. “It would be if I saw you as just a friend.”
Oh boy.
“Koa…”
“That guy I saw you with earlier. Is there something between the two of you?”
“Pshh.” I startle him with a burst of nervous laughter. “That ship sailed a looonnng time ago.”
Apparently, he doesn’t find the idea of me and Logan together as humorous as I do. “Good. Because he’s an asshole.”
“He is an asshole, isn’t he?”
Then again, part of me doesn’t mind this grumpy, growly version of him as much as I thought or the finely restrained way he’s always watching me. Almost like he remembers exactly what I felt like on his tongue, in his hands, and beneath his strong, beautiful body.
If I’m honest, I appreciate the lengths he’s gone to make me and Carrie comfortable, too. Regardless of how hard it is to admit.
Maybe I appreciate this new Logan quite a lot.
Warmth brushes against my arms in smooth, massaging patterns, and through the haze of my stupor, I feel Koa’s hands glide up and down. “I was jealous of the way he was acting with you. Made me think you two were a thing.”
“There’s nothing to be jealous of,” I manage.
Really, what do I have to offer Logan? He’s convinced I’m worth the trouble, but that’s easy to say when he’s got his big boy job and enough money to sustain himself for probably ever.
I’ve got neither of those things. I’m the same old Penelope, flitting through life one day at a time, all while pretending I’m okay with it.
“Not true. You’ve turned down all the dates I’ve offered to take you on, yet you’re here. With him.”
One of his thighs moves to spread my legs, and I begin to panic, shoving my palms between us.
“You remember that night, don’t you?” he whispers, leaning in and kissing my neck. “You were so beautiful, dancing blindfolded, waiting for me.”
Wow, he’s just going for it. No restraint, no qualms about consent or lack thereof.
