Page 21 of Fractured Trust

“I’d really like that,” she said, then turned to Eden. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

Before Eden could say anything else, Tex swooped in and grabbed her. His mouth descended on hers and whatever she might have been planning to say was lost as she wound her arms around his neck. Connor wasn’t far behind, heading straight for Lexie.

Darting a nervous look at the tall blond man following behind Tex and Connor, Summer risked a brief, casual wave before turning and making her way quickly toward where she remembered the car had dropped them off.

She’d almost reached the rear entrance when a large hand wrapped around her upper arm. She jumped and turned, her heart jackhammering in her throat, and was met by Noah’s glittering blue gaze.

“Why are you leaving?” he said, voice rough.

Summer’s eyes drifted to his shirtless chest, a sheen of sweat still coating the smooth, tanned skin, his muscles hard and prominent after hitting the drums for the last hour and a half.

Dragging her eyes back up to meet his, she tried to collect herself. She didn’t want to give him the impression she was still mooning over him.

“I was just, um, tired. I thought I’d head home.”

Noah’s gaze searched hers, but he only nodded, not saying anything, but not stepping back either. She felt compelled to fill the silence. “You were great, by the way. The band, I mean. It was a great concert.”

He tipped his chin, acknowledging her words but still saying nothing. Warmth radiated from where his hand wrapped around her arm, his fingers gently flexing against her skin. Summer’s breathing quickened, her pulse fluttering in response to his proximity.

He’d always had that effect on her. Even now, after everything, his presence still made her breathless.

Even when she didn’t want it to.

Awareness tightened her muscles when she realized how close they were standing. How his body heat was enveloping her in a way that sent a far-too-familiar need spiking through her. Fighting the urge to sway toward him, Summer took a shaky breath. “I should go,” she said.

Noah’s gaze dropped to her mouth, his pupils flaring when Summer’s tongue darted out to wet suddenly dry lips. His grip loosened, but instead of letting her go, he skimmed his fingers slowly down her arm, sending goose bumps rippling across her skin. He curled his hand around her wrist.

“Noah,” she whispered.

Eyes still fastened on her mouth, he tugged her forward, his head dipping.

Summer’s lips tingled, a shiver of anticipation running through her. “Noah.” This time it came out even more breathlessly. “What are you doing?”

The determined look in his eyes faltered, and turmoil flickered like a shadow across his face. He exhaled harshly, pulling his hand away from her wrist and stepping back.

“Noah?” her voice was barely a breath.

He looked away from her, his eyes sliding shut for just a second. When he met her gaze again, he was completely composed. “You’re right. You should go. You do look tired.” His tone was so casual, it was as if the last few minutes had never happened.

Summer’s body cooled, and her heart rate slowed.

This time, it was her turn to nod. Then, saying nothing, she spun around and slipped out the door.

Chapter 10

The door swung shut behind Summer. Tension pulled at the base of Noah’s neck, sending a dull ache through his head. What the hell had he been thinking chasing after her like that? She was his ex, for fuck’s sake. The woman who’d broken his heart.

But he couldn’t deny, seeing her there in front of the stage had triggered something. Awareness of her presence had sparked against his skin as he played; made every throbbing beat in his chest rival that of his drums. He hadn’t been able to stop his eyes sliding toward her throughout the set, watching her laugh with his sister and Lexie, her rose gold tresses tumbling over her shoulders and those pale seafoam green eyes sending a bolt of electricity through him when she met his gaze.

For a while, his mind had gone back in time, to when that had been his dream. Him up on stage, playing to a packed venue, and Summer waiting for him, ready to wrap herself around him as soon as he came offstage.

His mind had still been in that space when the concert ended. For a second, as he walked toward her, he’d almost expected her to smile that gorgeous smile of hers and hold out her arms to him. Instead, she’d given him one panicked look, a halfhearted wave, and turned to walk away.

And like a fool, he’d gone after her.

Noah opened the door she’d left through and stuck his head out to check she’d gotten in the car safely. Seeing the taillights disappearing down the road, he let the door swing shut, then turned and made his way back to his friends and his sister. He must be going crazy if he was chasing down Summer like that.

He strode back to the group, annoyed with himself, but plastering a smile on his face. All he wanted was to have a shower, a drink, and go home.

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