Page 51 of Caught Stealing

“Never again.”

He realizes his mistake the moment after I do, because his eyes flash up to mine. Worry and regret swim at the surface of their dark depths as he stares at me.

“Oh, so we’re finally gonna talk about this, huh, Nix?” I snap, pressing in even closer. Close enough for me to feel his breath and taste the hint of beer on his lips.

“Talk about what?”

“Us sleeping together,” I say plainly, not bothering to mince words. We’re long past the time for that. “Or were you gonna try keeping me in the dark about our little hook-up forever? Or better yet, maybe you were hoping Theo might let it slip so you’d never have to tell me?”

Phoenix’s lips part slightly as a look of astonishment takes over his features. His eyes dart back and forth between mine until something inside him just snaps.

“What do you mean bykeeping you in the dark?” he snarls, teeth bared. “You’re the one who has been acting like you have no clue who I am or what happened at the Kappa house back in May.”

“Because Ididn’t.”My eyes dart back and forth between his, feeling the anger diffuse. “I didn’t know. I thought the first time we met was in November. You know, the night you decided to turn into the world’s biggest cock-block? It wasn’t until Theo mentioned something on the way down here that I found out it wasn’t.”

Something on my face must finally convince him—make him understand that this entire conversation is as foreign to me as the idea that he and I have slept together—and he blinks as if he’s seeing me for the first time.

“I…I don’t understand—”

“Hey, there you are,” Kason says, appearing out of nowhere from around the corner. I can tell he’s drunk before he even approaches, only to be confirmed when I turn to him to find a massive, drunken grin on his face. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

“Bathroom,” I tell him as I step away from Phoenix. “Ran into Phoenix on the way out.”

I feel Phoenix’s gaze on me as I take another step back, only for it to get worse when Kason wraps his arm around my waist.

“You owe me a dance.”

Then he links his fingers with mine and drags me back to the dance floor. And just like the kiss after the volleyball game, I feel Phoenix’s eyes on me the entire time.

Sixteen

Phoenix

The party rages long after we allreturn to the condo, and for once, I let loose a little more than normal. I’d like to say it’s due to the break we’re on and that it’s my last chance to let off some steam before baseball season begins. But honestly, I just need the distraction from Holden and the entire conversation from our run-in by the bar bathroom.

It doesn’t veer far from my mind, only worsening with Kason being all over him ever since.

And like the trainwreck I am, I can’t seem to look away.

Holden was right about one thing when he cornered me: I do want him. Even when I know I shouldn’t. It’s why I’ve been watching him the whole time, the same way I’ve caught him watching me.

It’s something that can’t be helped. Those seductive whiskey eyes ensnare me, dragging me under wave after lustful wave every time they lock with mine.

Just like right now, as I catch him staring at me from where he’s lounged on that fucking flamingo floatie again. Our only saving grace is everyone else has long gone to bed, leaving no one around to—

“You’re doing it again,” Holden murmurs, barely loud enough for me to hear over the crashing waves against the shore in the distance.

“Doingwhatexactly?”

“Don’t play coy with me, Nix,” he chides, a slight bite to his tone. “No one’s here. You can cut the shit.” His head drops back against the neck of the flamingo. “And I’m talking about how you’re straight-up fucking me with your eyes right now.”

Irritation flares within me as I swish my legs in the pool water, my fingers gripping the edge a little tighter. “I’m not fucking you with my eyes or anything else, for that matter.”

“But you have.”

My blood runs ice cold, and more than anything, I wish I’d gone upstairs with the rest of the guys—anything to avoid having this conversation with him. But luck never seems to be on my side when it comes to Holden Sykes, which means he can’t just drop it.

With no one else around, nothing is going to stop him from digging until he gets all the answers he wants.

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