Page 12 of Inarticulate

Keenan shoved from the tree trunk and ate up the small space between them. He was frowning now, the lines on his forehead harsh as he snatched the bottle from her hands. With a deft flick of his wrist, he removed the cap and handed the bottle back to her.

“Thanks.” Clearly, she hadn’t been flustered enough, because now she had to deal with the heady scent of him making her dizzy.

He tipped his head and she stood frozen, waiting for his retreat. Waiting and waiting. He remained close. Too close to ignore how soft his lips appeared, or how badly she wanted to run her fingers over the harsh stubble of his jaw.

The tilt of his mouth returned, growing into a full grin.

Shit.She was staring, and now that he was actually smiling—a full, deliriously gorgeous smile—she couldn’t bring herself to stop.

“Are you drunk?” That had to be the answer for his improved social skills. Or he was high. Probably both.

He shrugged and took another chug.

“How many have you had?”

His brows drew close as he pressed his lips together. He held up his hand and raised one finger, then another, and another, and another, and another. That beautiful smile of his increased, the harshness of his features evaporating as his chest convulsed with a silent chuckle. He shook his head, mouthed the wordtwo,and held up the same amount of fingers.

Not drunk. Just a master of manipulating her libido.

“What a shame.” She needed to regain the upper hand before she crumpled into a drooling mess. “I was starting to think you were reaching a level where I could take advantage of you.”

His focus narrowed. His lips thinned. Then he spread his arms wide.Come get me.

Holy shit. Did she? Should she? It would only take a step. One slide of her feet and she would be upon him, able to wrap her hands around his neck. She could kiss him, a mere brush of lips, just enough connection to write home to Spencer about and prove she’d moved on.

He broke eye contact, focusing over her head with a determined frown. The seductive moment faded. Vanished. She turned and watched another car drive into the makeshift parking lot. She couldn’t see the driver, not until the door opened and a slender woman stepped from the car, her long blonde locks falling over her shoulders.

She glanced at Keenan over her shoulder. He’d stepped back, placing space between them, making her chest hollow with disappointment.

“Who is th…” Her words trailed as she turned back to face the woman sauntering toward them, her long hair glistening, the deep V of her cleavage evident from the gap in her coat.

Penny?

Savannah took a long pull of her wine spritzer, fighting nausea as the sexy bombshell maneuvered through mingling drinkers. Her smile was wide—white, flawless teeth surrounded by sultry red lipstick.

Dominic appeared at Savannah’s side. “Prepare for battle.”

She released a nervous laugh and clung to the reassurance of the alcoholic beverage in her hands. Everything about the approaching woman daunted her—the sureness of her stride, the confidence in her straightened shoulders, the way she bit her lip as she focused on Keenan.

“Brother.” Penny shouldered past Dominic.

Savannah stood motionless, dumbstruck, as her cousin wrapped her arms around Keenan and placed a kiss on his cheek, her lipstick leaving a red stain in its wake. Penny played the role of a reunited lover, ignoring the world around her as she bent her knee and whispered words into Keenan’s ear. Only his response skewed the image. He didn’t return the affection. The harsh lines of his features returned. His mouth was thin. His jaw tight and nostrils flared.

“Hi, Penny.” Savannah kept her baby blues on Keenan, hoping to increase his discomfort. Moments ago he was flirting with her. Now he had another woman draped over him.

Typical male.

Her cousin stiffened as she wrapped one arm around his waist and turned to face her.

“Savvy? I almost didn’t recognize you.” Penny’s nose crinkled. “You look so old now.”

Savannah smiled through the insult. The blatant cruelty announced loud and clear any communication—business or otherwise—was going to be a barrel-load of fun.

Their two-year age gap meant everything when they were children. Development and interests set them miles apart. Not now, though. Over time the divide disappeared.

“And I go byPenelopenow,notPenny.”

“Christ. Don’t be such a bitch.” Dominic shot Savannah a sympathetic look. “I’m going to get another drink.”

---