Page 65 of Sunrise & Serenity

There’s no getting out of it now. While Sage spends the evening having fun with my family—and Knox—I’ll be forced to watch, with nothing to offer her but an increasingly bad mood.

So, idiot that I am, I fuck things up even more.

“Want to join us?” I ask Gemma.

Taryn gives me a flat look. She and Gemma have never been more than acquaintances, and she probably isn’t keen on having someone she barely knows join the group. But she’s not the kind to deny her.

“As long as there’s enough room. I was here with girlfriends, but they’re all married so they left early.” She gives me a sweet smile. “It’s lucky I spotted you when I did.”

“Yeah.” I avoid my sister’s gaze, and, like I knew she would, she quickly spins on her heel and winds her way back through the crowd.

I gesture for Gemma to follow, and I bring up the rear, already kicking myself. My decision-making skills seem to have gone completely out the window recently.

My eyes land on Sage as we reach the group, despite how badly I want to avoid her. When Taryn introduces her to Gemma, she gives the woman her usual friendly smile, though she follows it up with a gulp of her drink.

“What a surprise.” Chance smirks up at me. “What could have brought you all the way out of your cave tonight?” He tilts his chin toward Sage.

I glare at him. “Just decided to blow off some steam.”

Then I cast my eyes up to the ceiling. Hell, that’s the last thing I should be announcing. Particularly with Gemma at my side, regardless of how innocent her presence is.

Everyone shuffles around to make space, and before I know it, I’m squeezed between Chance and Gemma, sitting opposite Sage and Knox.

As tightly as we’re packed in here, Sage is practically in Knox’s lap, the two of them talking quietly. When he laughs in response to her, my hand tightens around my beer. I force it to relax, then bring the glass to my mouth for a hard swallow instead.

Knox is a good guy. If Sage is interested, it’s got nothing to do with me.

It’s a lie I don’t even come close to believing.

Somehow, Sage has gotten under my skin, and I have no clue what the hell to do about it.

Jealousy’s not an emotion I’m used to. To be jealous, you have to want something enough to care whether someone else takes it.

The only thing I’ve ever wanted that badly was a championship title. And I got that, twice.

My eyes are on Sage again. I can’t stop staring like a fucking creep. At the way her hair drapes over her bare shoulders, and the low neckline of her dress reveals the curve of her breasts. At the silky skin of her thighs as she crosses her legs. And, maybe most of all, her smile.

It’s bright and open and too fucking warm. But it’s directed at everyone but me.

Why the hell isn’t she smiling at me?

Gemma leans into me. “Are you okay? You’re awfully quiet.”

Fuck. I’d almost forgotten she was there. Apparently, I haven’t stopped being an asshole. “Sorry. Just not used to the noise.”

“Sure. I get it.” She pats my leg.

My muscles are drawn so tight I almost flinch at the contact.

Sage’s gaze meets mine, and this time neither of us looks away. My heart thuds heavily against my ribs, and I imagine what I’d do if I were the one sitting next to her instead of Knox.

If our situation were different, would I drag her onto my lap just so I could feel her weight on me? Would I dig my fingers into all that thick hair and angle her face until it was right where I wanted it? Would I taste that lush mouth, not giving a damn that we were in the middle of a crowded bar?

Maybe.

Maybe if she didn’t have to worry about her career and there weren’t professional lines drawn between us. And maybe if I didn’t suspect that starting something like that with her would end up not feeling temporary at all.

Yeah, maybe I would.