Page 62 of Wild Love
I doze off at some point and wake to Mav’s deep voice saying hello to Charli. I sit up and listen closer, trying to tell if there’s someone with him. It’s quiet, and I tiptoe to the door and press my ear to it.
“Kota.” His deep voice makes my heart race, and I jump back. He raps lightly on the other side. I don’t answer, and he says, “I know you’re in there. Or your date dumped the body back at your apartment. Smart move, actually.”
Stepping back, I open the door. He smirks, one arm resting against the doorframe. “You’re alive.”
“Yes. I’m alive and home safely.”
He walks in, pushing past me.
“Please, come right in,” I say sarcastically.
He sits on the end of my bed and unbuttons his shirt so it hangs open. “How was your date?”
“Great. Yeah. How was yours?”
“Don’t bullshit me, Kota. I checked in a few times. You either invited him here or left your phone behind.”
“You weren’t supposed to check on my location unless I didn’t come home.”
“I had a feeling something was off, so I checked.”
“Okay, so he canceled. Whatever.”
“His loss.”
“Maybe,” I say, then change the focus to him. “How was your date with Anika?”
“She’s nice. Cool chick. Works as a nurse. Said if I hurt my knee chasing after you again, she’d take a look for me.”
“I sincerely hope that doesn’t happen again.”
“Depends.”
“On?”
“What it’s going to take to get you to admit that there’s something between us. I feel it, and I know you do too. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have pawned me off on someone else like I’d invited you for a weekend orgy instead of dinner.”
“I set you up to avoid confronting my feelings?” I roll my eyes. Dammit. Am I that transparent?
“Yeah. I think that’s exactly what you did. And she’s nice and beautiful, but I’m not going to see her again. Or anyone else. Not until you tell me this isn’t happening.”
“What isn’t happening? Us hooking up once and ruining our friendship? No thanks, Maverick.”
He stands and walks toward where I’m frozen to the spot near the door. “Why is it so hard for you to separate sex from everything else?”
“Because it is.”
“That’s a bullshit answer. If you’re not into me and I misread you, then fine, but don’t play it off like I’m not offering more than some quick fuck. Give me a little credit. I dig you. You dig me. What’s the problem?”
“You’re exasperating.” I throw up my hands. “I’m not interested in casual sex. Not with you. Not with anyone.”
“Fine then, it won’t be casual. Nothing about the way I want to fuck you is casual.” His hand reaches up and caresses the curve of my neck. My skin tingles and warms at his touch. Is he serious right now? Does he even know what he’s saying?
“We can’t. It isn’t a good idea. We’re friends. I have my internship to think about.” I step away from him, cross my arms, and avoid his gaze. “Drop it, okay?”
My pulse thrums loudly in the seconds before he speaks.
“Sure thing.” He stops in the hallway. “See you in the morning. Night, Kota.”
