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“Right?” She nods sharply. “A for effort.”

Thinking back to her previous statement, I say, “So you really haven’t been with anyone since me?”

I have no right to ask, but I’m morbidly curious.

She leans in, the corners of her mouth rise slowly, and she pulls her bottom lip through her teeth. “When you’ve had the best, it’s impossible to settle for anything less.” She runs her pointer finger down my chest before turning to leave.

“Wait.” I grab her hand. “Come back to my place tonight, after this?” The question carries a pleading tone.

“Maybe,” she purrs. Sliding her hand from my grasp, she walks away.

Damn.

I just fell for that hook, line, and sinker…and I don’t even care.

CHAPTER17

LEXI

You’re calm, cool, and collected,I chant in my head as I distance myself from Boss. Not affected in the least. No way. I ignore the flames that dance over my skin, causing me to sweat.

How on earth did that conversation take such a turn?

Ugh. I seriously can’t help myself around that man. I’m every bit enamored with him as I was months ago.

When he arrived, he looked…shocked? Uneasy? He definitely had some strong opinions about my presence. There was the intense stare, followed by him making a beeline toward the opposite end of the yard to stand by himself instead of joining the group.

My whole goal in confronting him was to apologize and make nice. Try to turn an awkward situation into something less so. It wasn’t to flirt and get myself an invitation to his bed, which is exactly what that veiled request was.

“Maybe?”

What was I thinking?

How about, “No, Boss. That probably wouldn’t be a good idea.” Where was that response?

What would the new getting-her-life-together Lexi do?

Fine, I don’t care. It’s as plain as that.

I want Boss more than I’ve ever wanted anyone, and that thought alone drives me.

Deacon’s mom and sisters are talking to Pauly. The guy has a hard cast on both legs, extending from his ankle to his thigh. He forces a smile as he listens to the women talk but looks completely miserable. I can’t imagine what that experience would’ve been like for any of them involved. Simply hearing it secondhand from Cam made me sick to my stomach. What a nightmare. I heard Boss was one of the men who ran back into the burning warehouse to help Deacon find Pauly. I wonder if that haunts him.

I twist my head around when I feel the weight of Boss’s brown eyes on me. His expression burns with a longing hunger, and I’m his sole focus. I pull in a sharp inhale. His stare is so intense that it heats my skin. I want to run into his arms and crash my lips to his.God, how I’ve missed his lips.It takes all my willpower to break the connection and turn back toward Pauly.

Nodding toward Deacon’s family, I address Pauly, “How are you feeling?”

“Like shit,” he grumbles. “These things itch like a bitch.” He motions toward the plaster casts.

Victoria steps up behind him. “But he gets them off next week, and we can’t forget the silver lining.” She leans in toward Pauly and sing-songs the last part into his ear.

Cocking an eyebrow, he looks toward me with a less than amused expression and rolls his eyes. “I’m alive.”

“Exactly.” Victoria kisses his cheek. “You’re alive.” She stands, addressing me, “He’s a horrible patient.”

“You try wearing these god-awful casts. They’re a nightmare,” he grumbles, blowing out a huff of air.

I squeeze his shoulder. “Well, I’m so glad you’re okay.”

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