Page 19 of Splintered Hearts

“Noah’s staying with us for a bit,” Mark so helpfully supplies.

“I’m apartment hunting.” And not currently sleeping on Mark’s couch.

“That’s great. I’m glad you’re doing well.”

“Hunter! You need to come out here. Xavi is going to burn the fucking ho—” An Asian man stops on seeing us. “Oh, uh...” Filling the doorway, looking confused then slightly angry, his eyes pass over all of us. He’s wearing a black sweater that’s rolled up his forearms, revealing tattoos that disappear under the sleeves. A black snake, wrapped in pink and red cherry blossoms that pop against the deep tan of his skin is the most prominent one, taking up the entirety of his left forearm.

Dark eyes connect with mine.

I can’t move.

Can’t breathe.

My feet are frozen. Red lips press into a hard line, and... fuckme. So fucking hot.The man’s eyes pinch, slowly narrowing on me. Fuck! Did I say that out loud? Finally, his gaze releases me, and he looks at Hunter. “Get outside. Xavi is going to kill us all.” Turning to leave, he goes back out the way he came in.

“And that was Jamie,” Mark whispers.

“Better go rescue dinner... and Xavi.” Hunter kisses Mark then follows in the direction Jamie went.

“It’s nice to see you again.” I barely hear Sawyer.Holy shit.My chest feels fluttery, my stomach swoopy.

“I see now why you kept warning me.”

“Noah—”

“Because he is quite possibly the most gorgeous human man I have ever seen in my life!” I hiss. Holy shit. “Welp, don’t want to keep Hunter’s friends waiting.” As I try to run away Mark grabs my arm, pulling me into a hallway away from his friends. “Now, Mark, we can’t. What about Hunter? I know you miss this but—”

“Will you shut the fuck up for five minutes?” I pinch my lips shut. “Turn off those fuck-me eyes. Now!”

Giving Mark a slow once-over, I smirk. “Look at that. Instantly soft.”

Mark’s jaw clenches. “I’m being serious.”

I do what any respectable adult would do—I stomp my foot. Seriously, Mark never wants me to have any fun! “You know how much I love height differences and grumpy-sunshine romances. Let me live. Just a little.”

“Stop romanticizing the bad guy!”

“I think you’re just misunderstanding him.”

Mark pinches his brow. “And why’s that?”

“Because . . . because he’s hot.”

“I’m being serious. I’m only saying this because I know you,and I know him. I wouldn’t try to stop you unless I had a good reason.”

Fuck, he’s right.

Still . . .

Mark’s hard eyes remain on me. “Calm down! I’m not going to strip naked the second I see him. I’ll at least say hello first.” Mark punches my arm. “Ow!”

“Next time, it’s your dick.”

“You have no sense of humor!” I rub my arm. “Have you been working out?”

“No.”

“Didn’t think so. Didn’t feel like it.”

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