Page 9 of Flame
I get up and leave him behind. My brain scrambles to make sense of this,of him, as I reach the table.
Foxx is complicated—broody and detached. He has this vibe that saysstay away from me. Except I’ve never felt like that energy applied to me. From the moment we met, when I watched him climb out of a dark SUV and slide sunglasses off his handsome face, we have been drawn to each other. We share a chemistry, a connection, which was justthere. Thatisthere.
But there are so many other things in the mix, namely Jason. Foxx’s loyalty lies with my brother, and he’ll never do anything to jeopardize that relationship or put his job into question. And that’s why he asked to be transferred.
I don’t know what I was hoping for—but it’s obvious that anything more than a Foxx Carmichael shrug is hoping for too much.
I sigh. “Here you go. The paddle is returned.”
The woman takes it from me. “Thank you. And congratulations on your win. That was … memorable.”
“Thank you.” I laugh. “I do love a good charity.”How many times am I going to say that today?
She winks at me.
I half-smile, half-grimace, and begin to return to my chair. But as I pivot, I nearly run into Colin.
“There you are,” he says, grinning. “I was hoping I’d run into you.”
“Well,Ialmost ran intoyou, but I get your point.”
He chuckles. “Are you from around here? I haven’t seen you before.”
Foxx’s gaze blisters me from the side. I would love to look at him and see the look on his handsome face—maybe it would help me understand him—but I don’t. I pointedly ignore him. He’s the one that doesn’t want to talk to me.
“No, I’m not from here,” I say, smiling at the firefighter. “I’m just visiting friends with my brother.”
“I got ya. You know, I was hoping you would save me from having a date with an eighty-year-old librarian.”
I laugh. “Hey, don’t knock the librarians. She might be able to teach you a thing or two.”
“Maybe. But how about—oh,hey, Foxx.”
My insides twist as Foxx’s arm slides across my lower back. Goose bumps break out across my skin as I glance up at him. His jaw pulses.
Damn.
I should pull away from him. I should step away and ask him what’s going on—remind him that he has no right to intervene in this conversation. But I’ve missed his touch far too much.
Foxx doesn’t say a word to Colin—not verbally, anyway. One thing I’ve learned about Foxx Carmichael is that sometimes words aren’t necessary to convey your point.
“Nice to meet you, Colin,” I say over my shoulder.
He half waves, confused, and walks away.
Foxx’s fingertips press into my skin. I could so easily lean into him, relishing in the fireworks exploding in my body. But I don’t. I pull myself together instead.
“What the hell is this?” I ask Foxx while we walk away.
His muscles are tense. His bicep flexes behind me, and his body is rigid as we find our seats.
He drops his arm and puts a bit of distance between us. “I could ask you the same damn thing.”
“Watch this. I’ll show you how to answer a question.” I flash him a facetious smile. “I was flirting with a very handsome man who was all too eager to converse with me. I know you aren’t super familiar with the concept of friendly conversation, but lots of people enjoy that kind of thing.”
His eyes narrow. “You don’t even know him.”
“True. But I’m ninety-nine percent certain that I could’ve known himdeeplyby the night's end if you hadn’t interrupted.”
