Page 5 of Fall Apart

His hand grips my hip, pressing my body into him. “There’s two things you should know about me. I was raised that I’m as good as my word. If I make a promise, I’m going to keep it or die trying.”

I feel my heart pound as he crowds my space. His presence is intoxicating, more intoxicating than the bourbon I was just drinking. And he clearly isn’t phased by my teasing. But I’m not backing down from him. I manage to get out the words, albeit with a little less conviction than my earlier taunt. “You said there’s two things?”

His nostrils flare and his muscular chest fills out as he inhales a deep, irritated breath. His lips part when he leans forward, his grip on my hip tightening. His mouth is so close to me as he whispers into my ear. “I’m all action. I don’t make threats.”

The feeling of his warm breath on my neck, matching the heat pooling low in my core.

His words.

His voice.

A hushed whimper escapes me and my restraint snaps.

I fist his shirt, pulling him down to me. He slants his head and our lips meet. His kiss is hungry, piercing and devouring. I wrap one legaround him, drawing our bodies together and I can feel his bulge through his jeans.

He pulls away, both of us practically panting.

“You want to get out of here?” he asks. His eyes meet mine and I can see the eagerness in them. He reaches for my face, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. I grab his hand, desperate for more skin to skin contact.

His hands are strong and rugged and mine disappears into his palm. I can see the horseshoe on the back of his hand more clearly and now I can make out the letters on his knuckles that spell outCOME.

But it’s the other tattoo that I can’t look away from. The one on the inside of his wrist. It’s a jagged little line forming the outlines of mountain peaks. It’s the same one I’ve seen over the years on my best friend’s ribs. It’s the same tattoo that her boyfriend, Tanner, has on his wrist. The same one even Veronica’s brother Collin has on his wrist. The exact same spot as this guy.

I look back into those eyes, suddenly very aware of the familiar, intense green hue. The mischievous smile with perfect dimples. The tall, mountain man build.

Oh god.

No. No. No.

This has to be a joke.

CHAPTER 2

CLAY

FRU FRU SHIT

What isa woman likeherdoing in a place likethis? She smells so fucking good. Like all that fru fru shit that girls are into. Maybe coconut and citrus? All I know is that this close, I can smell her shampoo over the stale bar and I just want to breathe her in.

She was sitting at a bar drinking bourbon, not some girly cocktail. Where the hell does a woman like this even come from? Sure, she might be some annoying little tourist. But she’s such a firecracker and so sassy.

And why is she looking at me like that now? The sexy, hungry look in her eyes is completely gone. It’s replaced by something I can’t quite place.

Maybe a hint of panic?

This sudden look of shock on her face is killing me.

Fuck. Maybe I read this wrong asking her to leave so quick.

“Everything ok?” I pull my wrist out of her hand, tilting her chin up with a curled finger towards me to look into those beautiful sapphire blue eyes. I playfully flick an eyebrow at her, trying to lighten the sudden change in her expression. “Cat got your tongue?”

Her worried look doesn’t change. She looks like she’s seen a ghost.

“Hey. What’s wrong?” I look into her eyes, frantically searching for what could have gone so wrong so fast. I rest my hands on her shoulders. “Shit. I’m sorry”

“We can’t do this.” Her words are a muted whisper, lacking any of that early sassiness and conviction that was so sexy. She brushes my hands off her shoulders, rubbing hers down her front and smoothing out the hem of her dress.

“Hey. Did I do something?” I don’t know what went wrong so fast.

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