Page 42 of One Touch

Her eyes dipped to my lips, and I almost did it. My hand was ready to capture the back of her head, tilt her at the perfect angle until I could take her mouth.

Claim her.

Never let her go.

Instead, I ground my teeth together and left her staring at my back as I walked away.

FIFTEEN

KATE

“What the hell was that?”Annie stepped up next to me as I watched Beckett stomp off and disappear into the crowd.

My heart hammered against my ribs. My legs wobbled. “I have absolutely no idea.”

Lark planted her hands on her hips and pointed in the direction of his exit. “That man wants you.Bad.”

A lump formed in my throat, and I swallowed hard. Flushed, I fanned my hot skin. “I think I need something to drink.”

“I need a bucket of ice water. The way you two moved together? How he held you like there was no one else in the world? Holy fuck, that was hot.” Lark laughed as we moved through the crowded dance floor and back toward the outskirts of the alcove.

We each got a cup of water from the bar area, and I gulped mine down in three chugs. Annie and Lark stared at me as I continued to scan the crowd for any sign of Beckett.

Together Lee and Wyatt walked up, and Lee threw a friendly arm over Annie’s shoulders. “I saw Beckett storm off. What did you say to him now, Katie?”

Lark snorted and covered her laugh with a cough as Wyatt scowled down at her.

I looked, wide eyed, at my brothers and shook my head. “Why are his pissy moods always my fault?”

Duke walked up, slipping his phone into the back pocket of his jeans. “Beckett texted. He headed home.”

Coward.

Duke scanned the crowd one last time. “I’m out of here. Anyone need a ride?”

Irritated, I tossed the plastic cup in a nearby garbage bin. “I’ll go with you.”

After saying our goodbyes, Duke and I walked up the long sidewalk, past the marina and toward his truck, which was parked on a quiet side street. My eyes peered into the heavy darkness, knowing only three blocks up was Beckett’s house.

I wanted to storm over there, bang on his door, and demand he talk to me. Instead I climbed into the cab of Duke’s truck and folded my arms over my chest like a petulant child.

Silence filled the truck as he headed toward the farmhouse. When he cleared his throat, I looked over at my brother.

“So, uh ... you and Beckett.”

My stomach dropped, and my eyes flashed to his.

When I stayed quiet, Duke sighed. “I’m not an idiot, you know.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. I wanted to dissolve into the seat of the truck and disappear altogether. I suddenly felt thirteen again, having to listen to Duke lecture me about crushing on his friends and how uncomfortable that made everyone.

“I know it’s difficult, with him being Declan’s brother. You have every right to be hurt, but I really wish you’d give him a chance to do this renovation right. You’ve been really aggressive. What Declan did to you wasn’t his fault.”

Wait a minute ... what?

“Just don’t ride his ass so hard,” Duke continued. “He’s doing us all a huge favor.”

Riding hisasswas not at all where I thought this conversation was going. I shifted in my seat, my eyes lowered to my hands. “Yeah, I know.”

---