Page 72 of Tangled In Lies

Mason gapes at her with raised brows. “You can’t be serious right now. The whole bad-boy image only makes it worse.”

I shake my head at their antics until the bell at the entrance rings, drawing my attention to the front of the café.

My mouth goes dry when I see who just walked in.

Phoenix.

Phoenix in workout clothes.

His intense gaze immediately zeroes in on me.

What’s that saying? Distance makes the heart grow fonder?

I’m sure that’s not it, but not seeing him for a week after what transpired between us did something.

My heart does alittle flip.

No, no. Bad heart.

He takes in our group, and I see his jaw flexing even from across the room.

Mason retracts his arm from behind me as if our contact burnt him. “Fuck.”

“What is it?” I say absentmindedly, unable to tear my gaze away from Phoenix.

But Mason doesn’t explain.

Phoenix ignores the female barista talking to him and walks across the room.

His presence is all-consuming, and I know I’m not the only one who feels it.

Ruby squeaks from across the table. “He has a nipple piercing? Someone hand me a fan.”

My gaze lowers at her comment, and yup, the silver stud is easy to see under the thin shirt material.

Holden meets Phoenix halfway, breaking our connection. They talk for a moment before Holden heads toward the door.

I want to yell, “Hey, please don’t leave me alone with the big bad wolf, he might eat me after all,” after his retreating form, but my brain-to-vocal-cords connection doesn’t seem to work correctly.

When Phoenix is only a few steps away, Mason scrambles out of the seat, rounds the table, and plops down next to Ruby.

Phoenix gives him a nod and says, “Douglas.”

I’ll never understand why guys call each other by their last names.

Ruby lifts her chin and says, “Hey, Phoenix. Long time no see.” Her eyes go wide the second the words leave her lips. “Well, I mean, I know I couldn’t see you because you were gone. Prison and all. Oh shit . . . sorry.” She buries her face in Mason’s side.

Phoenix chuckles. “Good to see you, Ruby. Seems like you still like to put your foot in your mouth.”

She tilts her head until we can see one of her eyes. Somehow, she manages to glare at him like that.

One corner of Phoenix’s mouth twitches, and then he turns to me, finally giving me his attention.

Finally?

No, we don’t want his attention. Maybe.

His gaze on me is like a soft caress on my skin.

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