Down and Dirty(17)

Shane took a closer look at her face and noted the dark smudges under her eyes. Not sleeping well. Good. That made two of them.

“Galen, can you help me put some of these snacks out in the living room?” Lacey asked loudly, leading the way from of the kitchen.

Galen’s gaze flickered between his sister and Shane for a moment before he followed. “Sure. Right behind you.”

Once Shane gauged that they were out of earshot, he rounded the island to get closer to Cat, keeping his voice low. “Listen, I—”

She wheeled on him, quick as a snake. “No, you listen,” she whispered, keeping an eye on the doorway behind him. “I like you, Shane. You’re a good guy, and I don’t want things to be weird between us, but I didn’t expect to see you this soon after…the thing. So cut me some slack, would you? It was a mistake. I really don’t know what I was thinking. The sooner we forget it, the quicker things can go back to normal. Let’s just get through the next few weeks until you go back to California, and this will all be a nonissue.”

The words weren’t a surprise. Hell, he’d known she was going to do her best to shove it under the rug, but the knowing didn’t make it sting any less. He curled his lips into what he hoped resembled a smile, trying to ignore the way her breasts heaved against the fitted green sweater she wore. “Take it easy there, killer. I was just going to ask you not to mention it to your brother. I know you told Lacey, but I think it would make things a little awkward trying to explain it to Galen. I don’t think either one of us needs the hassle.”

Cat cleared her throat and nodded. “Oh. Yeah, well, duh. I wasn’t going to tell him.” She unscrewed the cap of a pickle jar and laid the spears on a plate, unwilling to meet his gaze. “And I only told Lacey because she was suspicious that something was up. I’m not a good liar.”

Could have fooled him. She was clearly a pro at lying to herself. “Well, I’ll leave you to—” he tipped his chin toward the counter where she was building the leaning tower of pickles, way too high for the number of people there “—whatever it is you’re doing. You coming soon, or you planning to avoid me for the next few hours?”

Ha. Judging by the look on her face, the next few years was probably more like it, but he wasn’t going to let that happen. Before he’d left Cali, he’d already put in transfer paperwork in order to be closer to his family. He’d gotten the call this morning that everything was a go, and after tying up some loose ends later in the month, he’d be on the East Coast for good. And, for the foreseeable future, he had every intention of making sure he was front and center, in Cat’s face, making it impossible to forget what they’d done together. For her to be as haunted by the memory as he was. The way she’d felt, body pressed against his, gasping and writhing. The way she’d broken apart in his arms and groaned his name. His cock swelled, straining against his zipper.

She gifted him with a tight smile. “Nope. No avoidance here. As long as you’re going to be cool, I’m cool. It was just sex, after all, and we’re both adults. No biggie.”

Right. No biggie.

“Great.” He edged around her, accidentally-on-purpose brushing his torso against hers when he passed, and she stiffened. “I’m going to grab a beer from the fridge, you want one?”

“No, thanks.”

Her voice sounded a little huskier than it had a moment before, and he bit back a grin and helped himself to a lager. Flipping off the cap, he threw a lingering look over his shoulder, letting his gaze travel the length of her before he walked out. “By the way, you might want to turn the heat up in here. You look cold.”





Chapter Four

Cat glared down at her traitorous nipples, clearly visible against the teal cashmere. At that moment, she couldn’t determine whether it was the incidental contact or the earthy scent of his cologne that brought the memories rushing in, but damned if she didn’t have the sudden urge to drag him back into the kitchen and see if the countertops were as sturdy as they looked.

But for him to call attention to it? What a bastard. And she was the one who needed to grow up?

“The game’s starting,” Galen called from the living room.

She straightened her shoulders, pasted a smile on her face, and scooped up a basket of chips and a bowl of dip. After a quick nipple check, she called back, “Coming!” and went to join them.

It took a couple hours, but eventually, she was actually able to enjoy herself. For the first half of the game, she’d been on edge, waiting for Shane to slip up about their indiscretion or embarrass her somehow. But aside from his comment in the kitchen, he’d acted like everything was normal. Maybe he really was going to let her off the hook that easily.