“Got it. Swimming with the wolves. I’m in.”

I met Talon’s gaze. He’d called that one.

“There probably won’t be any wolves there, other than Porter. Maybe his best friend Evan, too. Evan goes to a lot of our things.”

“Is he hot?”

Talon growled. It was a clear warning not to answer that question.

One I ignored.

“Gorgeous,” I agreed. Talon growled louder. “He’s blond, and has pretty eyes. He’s funny, too. You’ll like him.”

Talon snarled.

Stella grinned. “Sounds likeyoulike him.”

“I wish. I only seem to be attracted to men who use me and lie to me.” I finally picked up my fork, and Stella snorted.

“I’ll leave you two to figure this out. I’ve got to find a bikini.”

“You can borrow one of mine,” I called over my shoulder, trying not to wince at the sharp pain in my ribs that followed the words.

“You’re too skinny for me to fit,” she called back, before the door shut behind her.

“She’s being too cheerful,” I said, when she was gone. “It’s not normal.”

“I’m aware,” Talon gritted out. “She feels like shit for helping you nearly get yourself killed. And she should. She fucked up.”

“We both did.”

I took a bite of my food.

“You’re attracted to this Evan bastard?” His voice was gravelly.

“Not to his personality.”

“To the rest of him?”

“I was talking to Stella, not saying that I wanted to bone the guy, Tal.”

“Do you?” The words were barely more than a growl.

“No. Even if I did, I wouldn’t want him more than once. I never do.”

We both knew the words I didn’t say.

Until you.

Talon seemed slightly calmer when he spoke again, after finally starting on his food. “We need to talk about our connection.”

“What else is there to say?”

“We need… rules.” I could tell he had a hard time getting the word out.

“What kind of rules?”

“The kind where we figure out how we’re going to handle the situation.”