Paige nodded in agreement. “You couldn’t pay me to approach him.”
Kate shrugged. “I don’t know. His eyes look sad to me.”
My heart sank at that, because she was probably right. There was a lot more to Harrison than the tough exterior he presented. He’d finally let me scrape away at it and now I was over here, desperate to get some space. The guilt started to seep in. I should never have let that kiss happen. When he’d unzipped my dress, I should have stepped away. I should never have leaned into his touch. I should have?—
“Lily, open up.” Nigel appeared in front of me, attempting to pour a shot of something toward my closed, unready mouth. I dodged it, letting the clear liquor flow to the ground instead.
“Alright, buddy,” I said, lightly tapping Nigel’s chest. “I think you need some water.”
I went to hand him the almost-full glass in my right hand, but as he reached to grab it, his sloppy movement knocked it clean out of my hand. It went sailing toward me and drenched my right side in the process.
“Shit. I’m so sorry,” he said, grabbing my arm.
“You okay?” I hadn’t even noticed him approach, but Harrison was suddenly at my side.
“Fine,” I grumbled, but forced a smile. “I was hot anyway.”
“You’re all wet.” Nigel giggled before Harrison pushed him away from me. It wasn’t aggressive, but it was firm.
“Give her some space,” he said, his voice casual yet somehow still threatening.
Nigel held up his hands. “Okay, I won’t touch your girl.”
Harrison turned back to me as I was assessing the damage. It wasn’t lost on me that he hadn’t corrected Nigel’s words this time.
“Shit.” I held up my tiny cloth bag that was now completely soaked. Since I didn’t have my phone, it didn’t really matter that the bottom of the bag was now drenched. One silver lining, I supposed.
“Are you okay?” Harrison asked again.
“Fine.” I tried to keep my tone casual, but the water was the least of my worries. What unsettled me more was the way his gaze lingered on me, heavy and unyielding. I needed to get away from it. From him.
“Let me get some more waters,” I said.
The dance floor was packed, a sea of bodies moving in sync, but I navigated my way carefully along the edge, dodging the pull of the more enthusiastic dancers as I headed toward the bar.
His presence loomed behind me. I knew he was there without turning to look.
“Can we get out of here?” Harrison asked under his breath, following me to the bar.
“Um, maybe in a bit.” My answer was noncommittal. I wouldn’t mind leaving, but nerves ate at my stomach at the thought of the two of us alone.
The long tiki bar hugged the back of a building that practically spilled onto the sand, acting as the line between indoors and out. Inside, the space was mostly concrete, and although there was a second dance floor, it wasn’t nearly ascrowded. I edged my way to the bar and waited for the bartender to catch my eye.
“Can I just talk to you for a second?” Harrison grasped my forearm. The light touch of his fingers sent an electric wave of energy through me. It was almost as if he felt it too, because he yanked his hand away.
“Here?” I yelled over the pulsing music.
“Ideally anywherebuthere. But since that's where we are...”
“What's up?” I asked, furrowing my brow. He wasn't really going to bring up last night, was he? Not here.
“Last night was?—”
I held up a hand, unable to stifle a groan. “Not now, Harrison.”
“We need to talk about it,” he forced out through gritted teeth. I couldn’t tell if his pained expression was from remorse or because of how uncomfortable this conversation was about to be.
“Tell you what,” I said, resigned. “Why don't we just enjoy the rest of our time here, and maybe talk about it when we’re back at the hotel.”
