Page 23 of Sweet Southern Heat

“What was that all about?” he asked, and I averted my gaze, pretending to scan the crowd, though I couldn’t tell you who I saw.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He let out a disbelieving snort.

“You’re not fooling anyone, especially not me. And it’s not nice to lie to your pastor,” he added with a smirk. I chuckled and elbowed him in the ribs.

“You don’t get to play the pastor card with me. Tonight, you’re just my friend.”

“Not for long,” he groaned, clutching his side. “Your brand of friendship is painful.”

“Come on; let’s get something to eat.” If nothing else, I was positive I’d enjoy the food. It was unsettling being in Olivia’s home, but I would make the best of an uncomfortable situation, and the pan of barbecue ribs was calling my name.

Swiping a bottle of beer from the large ice bucket next to the kitchen island, I filled my plate and followed JD outside, joining other partygoers on the deck. We chatted with old friends and ate while I surreptitiously eyed the area I'd repaired not long ago. Admiring my work, memories of Olivia in that bikini flashed through my mind. The feel of her smooth skin on my hands. The way her curves molded to my body when I held her tight to keep her from falling.

Clearing my throat, I downed the rest of my drink to cool my rapidly heating libido. The last thing I needed was to get a boner in front of all these people.

“I’m getting another beer,” I grumbled and slipped into the house. Tossing my plate into the trash, I bent to pluck another frosty bottle from the bucket. When I straightened, Olivia stood across from me, a glass of wine clutched between her dainty fingers. Our gazes locked, and she held my stare for a long moment as wariness filled her eyes. Then she straightened her shoulders and strode toward me determinedly, stopping just feet away.

“Landon,” she said, her voice wavering.

“Olivia,” I replied, giving nothing away. She couldn’t know that my pulse raced the second she drew near, and her sweet scent filled my nose. I couldn’t reveal that the sight of her hair flowing in soft waves over her shoulders made me want to push the tresses away from her face and tangle my hand in them so I could pull her mouth to mine. I swallowed hard as her eyes searched my face.

“I-I’m really glad you came.” I scoffed, unable to help myself.

“Really? I find that hard to believe since you didn’t actually invite me.” What was wrong with me? I couldn’t stop being a surly bastard around her.

She winced and ducked her head, a pink tinge spreading over her cheeks.

“I never dreamed you would come.”

“Well, I didn’t exactly have a choice.” Her brows knitted in confusion. “JD didn’t tell me where we were going when he asked me to hang out tonight.” Her blush deepened, spreading over her neck and chest, and I wondered just how far down it went. Would her entire body flush with that pretty pink tint? Those thoughts led to more lascivious ones, like what color her nipples were and how they tasted.

“Either way,” she continued, oblivious to my wicked musings, “it was nice of you to come. I realize things are tense between us after what happened,” she said, her eyes darting away. Her discomfort was palpable, and I had to fight the urge to reach out and pull her into my arms to comfort her. “But I’d like to put all that aside, at least for tonight, to give Honey the welcome home she deserves.”

Her wide brown eyes looked into mine imploringly. All she wanted was for her friend to have a good time, and she worried my presence would undermine those plans. My chest tightened at the worry in her gaze. I wanted to put her mind at ease.

“Of course,” I agreed, and her shoulders visibly relaxed. It was on the tip

of my tongue to tell her there didn’t need to be tension, that I believed her about the wreck, when Honey came up and looped an arm through hers.

“There you are,” she exclaimed, then looked at me. “Oh, hey, Landon,” she greeted, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone as a sly grin curved her lips. “I was just coming to steal our girlaway so we could change. Some of us are getting in the pool. You should join us.” It didn’t escape my notice how she’d saidour girl. Did she suspect there was something going on between Olivia and me? Maybe she knew something I didn’t. Was Olivia fighting her attraction to me just as I was fighting mine for her?

“I don’t know. I?—”

“That sounds like a great idea,” said a familiar masculine voice from behind me. Honey’s face paled, and her smile faltered. I turned to find JD standing at the threshold of the kitchen, his intense gaze boring into Honey. Interesting.

We parted ways as the girls went to change, and JD and I retrieved our trunks. Five minutes later, we were in the pool with several other guests. Some of them played games while others leaned against the edge, engaged in conversation. I tried to avoid looking at Olivia, but my eyes inevitably drifted to her every few minutes, especially when she laughed. She threw her head back, laughing with her entire body, her shoulders shaking with mirth. Her long, dark hair was now piled atop her head with a few wavy tendrils snaking down her neck and clinging to her damp skin. I groaned and glanced away, trying to focus on JD and a few of our friends from high school.

“I’m going to run to the restroom. Be back in a few,” JD announced as the party started to wind down. The number of guests was dwindling with many of them bidding farewell as I watched JD disappear into the house. Ten minutes passed with no sign of his return, then fifteen. I was starting to get worried when Wade came out and called my name.

“JD wanted me to tell you he had to run Marissa home. She had a little too much to drink,” he added with a knowing look. “He said he’d be back in a little bit to pick you up.”

“Thanks,” I offered, gritting my teeth. If I’d known, I would’ve just left with him, but now I was stuck here since he was my ride. There were only a few people left in the pool now,and Olivia was one of them. Panic filled my chest when they all began to say their goodbyes and climb out of the water. My pulse accelerated as they ascended the stairs and disappeared into the house shortly after. Olivia was oblivious to the fact that we were alone as she typed away on her phone. When she placed it down on her towel, she looked up and spotted me. A small gasp fell from her lips, and I swallowed hard at the sight of her chest heaving with a deep inhale. It was at that moment, I realized I was fucked.

Chapter 23

Olivia

My phone chimedfrom where I’d left it by the edge of the pool. I was waiting on a text from Marissa letting me know she’d arrived home safely. Tapping the screen, I breathed a sigh of relief as I read through the message confirming she was home and typed out a reply wishing her good night. Closing out of my messages, I placed the phone on the towel and sagged with relief. My gaze snagged on Landon across the pool, and I sucked in a shocked breath. I hadn’t realized he was still here or that it was just the two of us left in the pool.

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