Page 53 of Untouchable

“Sure, but you’re not going to like the answer.” I grind my teeth, waiting for his answer. “Nothing. Is going on. Between me and Kat.”

“Then if you’ve never slept together why the fuck do you two act the way you do together?”

“I act the way I do with Kat, with everyone. You know this. So maybe instead of lighting my ass up over this shit, you should be asking yourself why you care so fucking much.”

“I don’t care. She’s off limits—simple as that. I’m looking out for you.” The smile on his face pisses me off, which just feels like my only baseline emotion at this point.

“That is the biggest load of shit I’ve ever heard. You’re into her and getting pissed off at yourself for not doing anything about it.”

Finally, I snap. “Ican’tdo anything about it!” His smile turns more sinister and I hate him for pulling that confession out of me.

“I knew it.”

I shake my head. “Fuck you.”

“Let me just ask you this. Who made this rule about not touching Katarina? You, or Lenny?” I look at him, not wanting to answer. “Because while I know better than anyone how protective Lenny is over Kat, I also know how important her happiness is to him. I don’t think for one second, he’d be bothered if you actually cared for her. Now, if you slept with her and then broke her heart or some shit, yeah, that’s pretty much a death wish. But if you actuallycareabout her, then stop torturing yourself—and me—and make a move.”

“That’s the thing. I don’t know what it feels like to actually care about someone.” I admit, watching the door to ensure no one is eavesdropping.

“Tell me what you do know. About how you feel when it concerns Katarina.” I blow out a breath while I think.

“I…I don’t know, man.” I shrug it off, even though Idoknow. I just don’t want to tellhimthat she’s the most alluring person I’ve ever laid eyes on. How when she glares she’s so mysterious, but when she smiles she’s the most radiant thing in the world. How when she touches me I just want to feel her everywhere, how I want to be the one that helps her sleep when she can’t, and I want, more than anything, to know what she thinks of me, too.

“Whatever it is you’re thinking right now and not sharing with me—which I understand, you’re a private guy—makes me think you know exactly how you feel about her. Sort it out, and do something about it. But for the love of everything, leave me out of it.” I laugh, nodding in agreement.

“Sorry about all of that.”

“Ah, you know I can’t stay mad at you, Papi.” He practically yanks me into a hug, and I reluctantly let it happen.

“Hey, you can’t blame me for my assumptions, you guys areawfullyclose.” I raise a brow.

“Yeah, we are. But not in the ways you think.”

My brows furrow as I try to figure it out. “Then in what way?”

“You’ll have to ask her.” I nod and he heads back inside, leaving me to sit with my thoughts and I don’t like it. Maybe it’s time Katarina finally taught me how to do it properly.

CHAPTER 30

Ace

“BADLANDS”

Itiptoe up the stairs, listening to see if I can hear the shower running, but instead, all I hear is Katarina’s muffled voice.Who the hell is she talking to?

“If it wereeasy,I’d be able to do it. I’ve watched your video fifteen times,Julia, It. Is. Not. Easy!” I hear her slam something down and it actually makes me jump. I walk further into her room, seeing her standing at the bathroom counter facing the mirror. She’s in a black tank top and a pair of black linen shorts. Her hair is only slightly damp from her shower and her feet are bare. She lets out a steady exhale, flexing her hands by her sides as she squares her shoulders.

“Okay. I can do this.” Then she gathers her hair in her hands and begins separating it. She gets three twists in and then angrily removes her hands again. “I’m going to shave my head, I swear to god.”

“Need help, Reaper?” She jerks, turning to face me as she sucks in a breath, then groans.

“No.” I quirk a brow at her but she ignores me and faces the mirror again. I walk into the bathroom, stopping behind her. With her heeled boots off I can actually see over her head, though the top of it covers my mouth, so I stare at her throughthe mirror. She crosses her arms over her chest and stares back at me, clearly in a sassy mood today. I glance down at her phone and see the hair braiding tutorial she has paused and smirk.

Then I gather her hair in my hands and she frowns. “What are you doing?” She tries to turn around but I tighten my grip on her hair and keep her facing forward.

“Stand still.” She surprisingly listens, watching my every move. I work each piece of hair through, pulling it tight so none fall loose.

“Ace.” Her voice is like a warm hug when she says my name.

---