Slide(Boosted Hearts Book 3)(59)

“No, look at him properly,” Joe was saying. “I think he’s met someone.”

Lucy’s shoulders stiffened. “I wouldn’t know.” She jabbed her brother in the side and he let her go.

“Ow!”

“Don’t be a baby.” She backed up. “You two have a good night.” Her eyes slid back to Adam’s. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“That doesn’t leave much!” Joe called after her.

But she was already gone, walking into the crowd.





~ * ~





Lucy did her best to ignore Adam. Easier said than done when she was positive she could feel his eyes on her, following her around the bar. This being her second night on the job was hard enough without him sitting there all damn night. She felt overly aware of her body, the way she moved around the room, the way she smiled and laughed, talked. In the past, at family get-togethers or at the garage, she could hide behind the animosity they fired at each other—but not anymore. Now she knew what it felt like to be desired by Adam Grady. And though she knew crossing that line was a serious mistake, she wanted him still.

Damn Joe for bringing him there.

She’d hoped to avoid him for a little longer at least. Yep, total coward. She’d even gone as far as staying in a cheap hotel last night so she wouldn’t see him at the garage this morning. Not something she should be spending her dwindling savings on. Thankfully, she was now making money again. Next step was finding a place away from her brothers, and Adam. A place with very low rent. There had to be a place, right? Somewhere that wasn’t falling down around her ears, infested with cockroaches, or in the worst part of the city.

Shit.

She delivered her drinks, and then took an order from the guys at the next table. They were a bit rowdy, out for a good night, teasing and flirting with her. They weren’t being assholes; they were kind of funny, actually, so she teased and laughed back. Plus, that was part of the job, right? She needed the tips if she wanted to get out from under Hugh’s massive oppressive thumb. She was still chuckling when she turned to head back to the bar to fill their drinks order. Without wanting them to, her eyes drifted back to where Adam and Joe had been sitting. Joe was nowhere to be seen, but Adam—he was out of his seat, eyes locked on the guys behind her.

His gaze slid to her. Her breath jammed in her throat. His eyes were dark, stormy, teeth gritted.

What the hell was going on?

She forced herself to look away and hand over her order. Adam was at her side a second later, looming over her. He leaned in, lips brushing her ear, and she froze, couldn’t move—God, couldn’t think.

“What did they say to you?” he rasped.

The hair at the back of her neck lifted, her lips suddenly tingling. The urge to turn in to him and press her mouth against his, to kiss the stubbornness right out of them, was hard to resist.

Then his words registered and she spun to face him. “What?”

The muscle in his jaw jumped. “You heard me.”

“Whoa.” She held up her hands, heart pounding, and pissed off, so damn pissed off. “We’re not doing this.” She jabbed him in the chest. “You are not doing this.”

His eyes shuttered. “Do what?”

“This male territorial bullshit. We both knew what we were doing, and now it’s over.”

“I thought I knew, but then you got on a bus and left.” His hand snaked out, fingers fisting her shirt at her waist. “You left and we still had a night, Lucy. You took that away from me.”

His face was so close, his ragged breaths brushing her cheek. She could feel herself weakening. Why was he saying these things?

“I couldn’t…I knew I…”

“I’m sorry,” he rasped. “I said things I shouldn’t have. I acted like an asshole. I just…the idea of someone hurting you…” His mouth pressed against her temple. “I lost it. I’m sorry.”

Having him this close, touching her, hearing the hot rasp in his voice…God, her body went up in flames. She wanted to twist toward him and wrap her body around him and never let go. Let him carry her out of here and lose herself in him, screw the consequences. But that wasn’t going to happen, it couldn’t happen. Carrying on like this was not only reckless but just plain stupid, and she was done thinking only of herself. Of not thinking about who her careless choices might affect.

So instead of pressing closer, she gently pulled back, putting some distance between them. “Look. It’s…it’s fine. Let’s just forget any of this happened, okay?” Even as she said the words she didn’t believe them.