Page 60 of Never You

“Yeah, but the look on your face was fucking worth it. Were you jealous,hockey boy?”

Yes.

If I could turn green, I’d probably be the damn Hulk right now.

“No,” I lie, as she keeps looking at me with that sassy look that tells me I’m full of shit. Holding her gaze, I gently pull the cup out of her hand. A shiver runs through me when our fingers connect, and I straighten my shoulders, keeping up an unaffected stance as I bring the cup to my lips.

My senses hit a peak when the spice lands on my tongue, followed by the sweet taste of honey. “Not bad.”

“Not bad?” she huffs, incredulous, pulling a face. “There is no other way to drink tea.”

Defiance laces her face as I watch her, amused. My pulse quickens as I look into her eyes, examining the freckles sprinkled on her nose. Her face looks fresh, clean from make-up, and it hits me once more how beautiful she is.

Since the first time she introduced herself to me, I was captivated by her beauty, always desperate to get a glimpse of her. I’ve always seen her in work clothes, with make-up on her face, and her hair perfectly styled. She has always been gorgeous.

But having her standing in front of me with the morning sunlight making her glow, I realize that was an understatement. Rae in her pure form is mesmerizing.

An enigma I want to crack.

My train of thought is broken when she frowns, waiting for me to say anything.

“Look, Rae. I’m sorry about last night, okay?” I blurt.

Her cute face turns serious before she mockingly rolls her eyes.

“Don’t be such a drama queen, Jensen. We’re cool.”

“We are?” I ask, slightly confused.

I walked out of the elevator, hoping she wouldn’t be uncomfortable around me. That we could keep going as we have been for the past two days, keeping the bickering to a minimum. Though I enjoy the banter we throw at each other, I like her better when she’s smiling rather than scowling. But seeing her unaffected about what happened last night leaves me more disappointed than I expected.

“We are,hockey boy.” She pats my chest, then turns around. “Come on, Memphis is waiting for us, and I’m desperately in need of some good fried chicken.”

I stare at her, speechless, as backs away from me with a smug smile. My breathing speeds up, and I’m wondering if I should be stupid and kiss her just to throw her off or be happy that nothing changed.

Rolling my lips, I take a step forward, having every intention of being stupid and kissing her numb. But then, before I can act on it, my phone buzzes in my pocket at the same time Bodi walks back inside.

“Change of plans,” he tells us, tugging his phone back into his jeans. “I need to be in Atlanta today.”

“Today? Why?” Rae asks.

“There is an author I want to sign, and he’s only in the states until tomorrow. That was his assistant. He wants to meet with me today at KPI. Can you drop me off at the airport? I will meet up with you tomorrow when you get to Atlanta.”

We both nod, and he pulls the key fob out of Rae’s hand.

“I’ll go and get the car.”

I keep my eyes trained on Rae, excitement building in my body like a little schoolboy when I realize I’ll have her to myself for the next twenty-four hours until my phone buzzes once more.

Pulling it out of my back pocket, I then dip my chin to look at my messages.

UNKNOWN NUMBER:It’s Em. I miss you. Can we talk? Call me.

UNKNOWN NUMBER:I’m sorry. I was a bit drastic. I love you.

Shit.

“Are you coming?” Rae’s voice snaps me out of my trance, and I look up to her cheery grin, waiting for me at the entrance of the hotel.

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