Page 60 of Caught Stealing

Twice, now.

“Get outta your head,” Holden utters, and I slide my gaze to his. “Get out of it and listen to what I’m saying.”

“Listen to you?” I scoff. “Yeah, that’s not happening. Besides, you’ve got no idea what’s going on in my head right now.”

“Considering you’re as easy to read as an open book? I do.” He’s stepping in closer to me, the distance between us being erased with every step. He makes no sign of stopping either, not until he’s got me backed up to the edge of the pool with nowhere else to go. “You’re torn between regretting last night and wanting it to happen again. It’s written all over your face and how you’re looking at me right now. In how I caught you checking me out when I was getting dressed.” He cocks his head, those analytical eyes flicking over my face. “You loved every second of what happened last night, and the only reason it’s killing you inside is your loyalty to Kason.”

My teeth bite into my inner cheek until the faint taste of copper fills my mouth.

Everything he’s saying is true. And I hate it; the way he can see right through me like I’m nothing more than a piece of fucking cellophane.

“The only thing killing me inside is having to stand here and listen to your psychobabble bullshit when you have no idea what you’re talking about,” I seethe, shoving past him to head back toward the house. He doesn’t let me get more than a step however, before grabbing my arm and reeling me in all over again.

And though our positions have swapped, I’m still trapped here at his mercy. No freedom in sight when his bare skin against mine sends my brain into overdrive. Especially after last night.

A fact that only serves to piss me off more, making my fists tighten at my sides.

“Let go of me.”

The words come out slow and deliberate, leaving no room for debate. Except, it’s clear my venom has no effect on him, so he simply blinks it off as he continues analyzing my face until he ultimately releases his hold.

“You can lie to me all you want, Nixy. But at the end of the day, you’ll never be able to lie to yourself.”

“Even if you’re right, it doesn’t matter,” I mutter with a shake of my head. “Because this never happened.”

His lips quirk and he lets out a breathy laugh. “Keep telling yourself that. Doesn’t make it true.”

“It never happened.” I tell him again before adding through gritted teeth, “And more importantly, it’s never happening again.”

His proximity, paired with how he’s looking at me, instantly ignites a fire inside me. An uncontrollable inferno of hatred, passion, and desire that’s burning away the mask of indifference I’m trying so desperately to maintain.

If I’m honest, it’s already nothing more than a pile of ash at his feet, ready to be kicked into the pool behind him or blown away in the breeze like it never existed.

“Eyes and mouth, Nix,” he whispers, stepping in even closer.

I feel the heat of his chest against mine, the lust-filled wanting as it crackles between us. And once again, I’m ensnared. Captivated. Incapable of walking away or escaping this undeniable chemistry we’ve both been failing to fight.

Only, from the way he’s looking at me…it seems he’s done fighting it. He’s just waiting for me to do the same.

“What’s going on down there?”

The sound of Kason’s voice sends ice rushing through my veins, and when I glance up, I find him standing on the balcony attached to the living room. He’s shirtless, running his hands through his amber hair, likely just waking up.

“Just figuring some shit out,” Holden says, and when I return my gaze to him, I find his never left me to begin with.

“Yeah, but we’re done now,” I grit out, painfully aware of Kason watching our every move.

“Not even close,” he whispers just for me. “We’ve yet to resolve anything.”

Maybe, but right now isn’t the time.

“Get out of my face, Holden,” I hiss. My fingers open and close at my sides, balling into fists like they’ll help me gain a grip on my composure. “I’m not kidding.”

“Just admit one thing to me first.” There’s a hint of amusement layered under all that lust when he utters, “Admit you want me.”

“Not happening.”

“You keep saying that, Nix, yet I don’t believe you.”

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