Page 12 of Don't Let Me Fall (Don't Let Me 1)

“Playing a game of pool in the rec room.”

“You hate pool.”

“The guys convinced me to play a round. Can I get you a drink?”

With a quick scan of the copious options laid across the island, I say, “Be my guest.”

As Logan starts pouring a concoction I have no doubt is going to leave me with a headache in the morning, an awareness settles over me, causing tingles to race down my spine. I glance around the crowded main floor, searching for the catalyst. The same dark, hypnotic eyes from the hall greet me. Same strong jaw. The girl’s gone, though. My expression sours, causing his lips to turn up on one side as if he can read my mind.

Which only fans my annoyance.

The guy’s sex on a stick in nothing but a dark T-shirt and jeans. And he’s staring at me. Shamelessly. And even though he knows he’s been caught, he isn’t deterred. If anything, my quick glances are only spurring him on. A knot of anticipation forms in my lower gut. I’m drenched in proverbial guilt as Logan hands me a drink, breaking whatever connection was building between the stranger and me.

“You okay?” Logan asks. “You look flushed.”

“I’m fine.” I take the cup from him and drink half its contents, tilting my head toward the new guy while refusing to look at him again. “Who’s that?”

Logan looks around the room. “Who?”

“The new guy.”

He scans the room again. “Who? Colt?”

Colt.

Yup.

He’s definitely the guy who airdropped his number.

I peek at the stranger from above the rim of my cup and catch him still looking at me with the same cocky smirk.

Logan follows my gaze, chuckles, and tosses his arm around my shoulders, pressing a kiss to my cheek and not-so-subtly claiming me in front of the stranger. “Yeah. That’s Colt. He was buddies with me and Theo in high school. Just transferred.”

“Oh.” I peek over at him again.

He’s still watching me. Curious. Confident. Undeterred.

With a thick swallow, I turn in Logan’s grasp until my back is to Colt, though I can still feel his stare. “And the reason he’s staring?”

“He must like what he sees.”

I laugh. “And it doesn’t bother you?”

“You’re beautiful, babe.” He kisses my temple. “I’m not the only one who can appreciate it. And Colt is Colt.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, he likes getting under people’s skin. Come on.” Logan grabs my wrist and tugs me toward the stairs. “Let’s go to my room.”

“What about the party?” I ask.

“I’d rather finish it in my bedroom with you. Come on,” he repeats.

But as I follow him to the second floor, the same swell of anticipation floods my system as I peek over my shoulder and find Colt watching my every step.

And I hate how I notice.

5

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