Page 4 of Sizzling Desire

Out of the corner of my eye, I see him glance at me, his expression unreadable. For a moment, I wonder what he’s thinking. Is he as on edge as I am? Or is he just amused, like always, watching me unravel?

The crowd begins to swarm Hudson and Kate, offering congratulations and clinking glasses. I take the opportunity to slip away, weaving through the throng of people until I find a quiet corner by the bar. I need a moment to breathe, to clear my head.

But, of course, he follows.

“Running away, Gracie?” His voice is like a challenge, low and rough, and it grates on my already frayed nerves.

I spin to face him, my fists clenching at my sides. “I’m not running. Unlike you, I don’t need to make everything about me.”

He raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “You’re the one who stormed off. Looks like you’re making this about you.”

“You aresoinfuriating,” I hiss, my voice rising despite myself. “Why do you always have to?—”

“Because you make it so damn easy,” he interrupts, stepping closer. “You’re like a live wire, Gracie. One little spark, and you go off.”

“Stop calling me that!” I snap, shoving at his chest. It’s like trying to move a brick wall.

“Why? Because it gets under your skin?” His grin is gonenow, replaced by something darker, more intense. His eyes bore into mine, and for a moment, the air between us shifts.

I’m not sure who moves first, but suddenly we’re toe-to-toe, the space between us crackling with unresolved tension. My breath catches, and I hate that he can see the way he affects me, the way my body betrays me.

“You’re impossible,” I whisper, my voice shaking.

“And you’re maddening,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough, his gaze dropping to my lips.

The world tilts, and for a brief, reckless moment, I think he’s going to kiss me. I think I might let him.

But then he steps back, his jaw tightening as he tears his gaze away. “This isn’t the time or place,” he mutters, turning on his heel and walking away, leaving me standing there, breathless and shaking, with no idea what just happened.

I take a deep breath, pushing down the burn in my chest as I weave through the crowd, forcing my focus on Kate. My best friend deserves all my attention tonight, not whatever this mess with Kane is doing to my head.

“Look, Grace!” Kate’s hand flashes in front of my face, the diamond catching the light, and she’s positively glowing.

I let out a laugh, wrapping her in a tight hug. “Kate, it’s perfect! You deserve this—Hudson’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you.” Unlike his partner, Kane, but I keep that thought to myself.

Kate sniffles, her eyes shimmering with happy tears. “I never thought I’d get here, Grace. I never thought I’d feel this kind of happiness.”

Her words hit me hard, and I can’t stop the tears welling in my own eyes. “You deserve every single moment of it,” I say, laughing through the emotion. “And now you get to bake your own wedding cake in your own wedding bakery. Talk about living the dream.”

She lets out a watery laugh, gripping my shoulders. “You’re gonna be my maid of honor, right? Say yes. You have to say yes!”

“Duh,” I say, feigning exasperation. “As if I’d let anyone else do it. Of course I will!”

We squeal, jumping up and down like we’re kids again. It’s a moment of pure joy, a moment that should be untouchable.

As Kate gets pulled into the crowd by the Walking Ladies and a swarm of other well-wishers, my attention betrays me, and my gaze drifts, almost involuntarily, across the bar to Kane. He’s standing near the bar, one arm propped against the counter, casually leaning like this is his kingdom, and he’s the reigning king. He’s laughing at something someone says, his stupidly handsome face lit up in that infuriating way that makes him impossible to ignore. His shirt is rolled up to his elbows, showing off those forearms that somehow manage to be both rugged and unfairly attractive.

Of course, Kane looks completely at ease, like he doesn’t have a single worry in the world. He thrives on this—being the center of attention, charming everyone within a ten-foot radius, and reminding me exactly why I can’t stand him.

The sight shouldn’t bother me. Itdoesn’tbother me. I’ve told myself this a million times. Yet here I am, watching his stupid grin as one of the women in front of him throws her head back in a laugh.

“Unbelievable,” I mutter, the word slipping out before I can stop it.

I know better than to let Kane Mitchell bother me, but watching him lean in closer, his deep voice drawing out another giggle from that woman, has my blood boiling. I down the rest of my drink, the burn doing nothing to quell the fire building inside me. Before I can talk myself out of it, I’m crossing the room, my heels clicking like gunfire against the wooden floor.

“Seriously?” I snap as I wedge myself between him and this floozy. “Do you ever take a night off from being…you?”

Kane straightens, and for a moment, there’s no reaction, just a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Then his lips curl into that infuriating grin of his. “Gracie,” he drawls, like he’s been expecting me. “Did you miss me already?”

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