Page 2 of Hearts Storm

Suddenly, a wicked sense of retribution washes over me. Eyes on his, I release a predatory grin, hold my ticket up in the air and call out, “That’s me!” as I march up to the throw line.

Handing my ticket to the volunteer, I only look away for a moment to take the softballs. But when I glance up, Logan is watching me, jaw pulsing, gripping the edges of the seat so hard his knuckles are white. The tension in the air between us is buzzing in my ears.

Something shifts in his eyes before he looks away, grinning at the crowd as he raises a fist. “Let’s do this thing!”

Cheers ring out again as I set two of the balls aside, knowing I’m only going to need one.

“Ten bucks says she hits on the first try,” Noia snickers.

“No shit,” I hear Sasha snort. “She looks like she wants to drown his ass.”

Laser-sharp and focused, my eyes lock with Logan’s again.

When I narrow my gaze and tilt my head with a vicious smirk, he tips his chin, and I let her rip.

CLANG!

Logan doesn’t even have time to brace himself before he’s plunging into the water.

“Damn,” Sasha murmurs. “Remind me never to get on her bad side.”

As Logan resurfaces, soaking wet and looking far less smug, I have to fight the urge to go to him. To run my hands over his wet, dusky skin. Tell him I missed him. That I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him.

When his gaze meets mine again, full of surprise and what looks a little like respect, I tear my eyes away and give him my back just as Jax comes up and wraps his arms around Sasha from behind.

“He had it coming,” he grins at me over her shoulder. “Logan’s been a grumpy prick all morning.”

“Maybe he just needed to cool off,” she quips.

“Forget Logan. I believe I owe you payback for that bullseye, sweet cheeks.”

“Hey,” Noia laughs. “Am I gonna have to tell you two to get a room?”

Jax gives Sasha a quick kiss before stepping away. “No time for that, unfortunately. I’ve gotta get over to the batting cages. Meet up with me later?”

“Sure.”

He turns to Noia. “Don’t let her out of your sight.”

“Don’t worry. She’ll be fine.”

The look on Sasha’s face as Jax walks away makes me laugh. “Careful. Keep that up and your eyes will burn holes in your boyfriend’s butt.”

“Can you blame me?” Sasha grins as she turns to look at me. “Anyway, what was that between you and Logan?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, please,” Noia snorts. “The sexual tension between you two was so thick if we’d been any closer we would’ve suffocated.”

“How about we go get something to eat instead?” I grumble. The last thing I want to do right now is remember one of the best, and worst, weekends of my life. “I’m starving.”

Sasha, releasing a resigned huff, exchanges a look with Noia, shaking her head with a grin. “Sounds like a great idea. Let’s hit the food trucks.”

one

ONE YEAR AGO

There’s only one word I can think of to describe hanging upside down from a pole at one of Vancouver, Washington’s most popular strip clubs.