Page 85 of Seale the Deal

Ruger shakes his head. Remi overreacts.

It sounds like you were leading her to her death, I say.

She’s an experienced hiker, he defends himself. We used to go up in the mountains for sheep and goat all the time. She just doesn’t do it anymore.

I think I’d still like to skip any hiking, I say in a teasing tone.

He sighs. Fine, I’ll strike it off the itinerary.

Thank you.

We look at each other for a beat too long. Every nerve inside me sparks.

I’m gonna use your bathroom, I blurt.

Sure.

I don’t need to pee. I just need to escape his eyes and what they’re doing to my panties.

As I stand, I trip over my feet and fall—at least, I start to. A warm wall of fabric-covered muscle meets me.

Whoa there, young gazelle, Ruger says, grinning.

Our faces are close. The desire to close the short distance between our lips is tempting. My eyes are transfixed on him as his are on me. I trace the seam of his mouth with my eyes, and a shiver racks my body as he reaches out and, to my surprise, runs his thumb along my lower lip. His other arm is still wrapped around me. We’re pressed together, every inch of me tuned in to every inch of him.

Wrenley. My name sounds like a wish on a tongue.

He exhales like he’s letting go of something he doesn’t want to.

I open my mouth to speak—to ask him to kiss me, please—but—

—a knock on the door ruins everything.

Ruger reluctantly lets me go and strides over. I try not to collapse from sensory overload. I can still feel his hands on me, and my skin prickles where his fingers pressed. Moments like this make it hard to differentiate between performing for everyone else and whatever just happened between us. When there’s no audience and he looks at me like that, it makes me wonder if he wanted it just as badly.

That was a fast bath, he says when he opens the door.

I couldn’t figure out the nozzles, and I’m too tired from being on edge while driving with you, Remi says as she steps into the room.

Ruger rolls his eyes.

Why do you look so frazzled? she asks, looking directly at me.

I’m not! I protest a little too quickly.

She raises a brow. What are you doing in my brother’s sweater?

I look down at myself. Oh, uh—

I could see her nipples, Ruger says like it’s a completely normal thing to see.

Remi blinks. I don’t know if I should be disgusted because that came out of your mouth or tell you you’re damn lucky to have seen my best friend’s glorious tits.

Let’s go with neither, I mutter. And maybe ask why you didn’t tell me?

Remi shrugs. I didn’t notice. I was too busy trying not to orgasm looking at a tub.

Ew, Ruger says. Well, I need to wash my brain out, so maybe let’s call it a night?