Page 30 of Hearts Storm

When Brex reaches into his back pocket and takes out his wallet, a random thought occurs.

Does he keep a bunch of condoms in tucked inside like Logan does? I mean, Logan said Brex always forgets them, but I can’t help but wonder…

“Care to fill me in?”

His question shakes me out of my reverie. “Not particularly.”

The sigh that escapes him sounds defeated.

“Fine. Come on then. I’ll walk you home.”

This time he doesn’t reach for my hand. He just shoves his hands in his pockets and follows half a step behind, letting me lead the way.

The silence between us grows heavy as we walk, heart thumping in a rhythm matching my racing thoughts. I should tell him why I left Logan without a word. But would he even care? And why do I suddenly give a shit what Brex thinks about me?

I steal a glance at him from the corner of my eye. Jaw set, his eyes are focused straight ahead. He did save me from those two assholes tonight, so the least I could do is be honest.

“Brex,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “About Logan.”

He slows his pace, turning his head inquisitively to look at me. “Yeah?”

Nervous as shit, I swallow hard. “The reason I left the hotel...” I blow out a breath, my next words coming out in a rush. “I accidentally saw some texts on Logan’s phone.”

His eyebrows furrow. “Texts?”

“From other women.” The words feel like sandpaper in my throat. “I know it was stupid. I mean, we weren’t together. It was just a weekend fling. But seeing all those messages from different women, talking about hooking up, about what they wanted to do to him...” I shake my head. “It freaked me out.”

Brex stops. “Reyna, I⁠—”

“I know how it sounds,” I cut him off. If I stop talking now, I might not be able to gather enough courage to finish.

“We’d just met. But I thought... I don’t know. That maybe it meant something? That maybe I wasn’t just another name on his list? Your list? To me, it felt like there was this connection…”

Brex looks down at me, surprise written all over his face. “Makes sense,” he says as he turns, walking away.

Dumbfounded, it’s not until he’s a few feet ahead that I hurry to catch up. “What the hell do you mean, it makes sense?”

“I felt it too.”

His words are so nonchalant it renders me speechless again until I spot my rental a couple of houses away. “Um… I’m just up here,” I say, picking up my pace.

The cottage is dark, with only a dim light illuminating the small porch. My neighbors’ porch lights are on, but otherwise, we’re surrounded by shadows. I fumble with my purse, hyperaware of Brex’s presence behind me.

“Thanks for walking me⁠—”

No sooner are we on the front porch, then I find myself backed into a corner.

“Reyna.” The way he whisper-growls my name has my thighs clenching in response. His irises are almost black in the dim light as he leans in close, breath brushing against my lips. “Can I kiss you?”

Just as I suck in enough air to be able to answer, the porch light flickers and goes out, plunging us into darkness.

My heart skips when a devastating grin flashes across his face. “I think maybe we should take that as a sign, don’t you?”

I gulp. “What about Logan?”

“What about him?” Brex shrugs. “He’s had you already. He won’t care. If anything, when I tell him what happened tonight...” He drags his tongue across his lower lip. “...he just might change his mind about the two for one.”

His body heat envelops me as he shifts even closer. “I mean, if you’re still into it. After what those assholes did, the last thing I want to do is pressure you.”