Page 23 of The Science of Attraction

“Well, I actually chucked in my job,” Laura admitted cheerfully, meeting my gaze. “So, we should definitely catch up.”

And there was Zee’s boot connecting with mine again. I withdrew my leg and ignored him.

Laura continued, her gaze still fixed on me, “I got tired of the Auckland chaos,” she explained. “I’m going to have a go at developing my own underwear line.” She tugged on the shoulder of her jersey which had slipped to expose a pretty black bra strap.

My gaze lingered for a moment, memories flooding back. Sex was something else Laura and I had done well together.

“Of course, that means no money coming in for a while. Hence the move back home.” She laughed prettily and the warm sound curled in my belly like hot cocoa.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll be a hit.” I ignored thetap-tap-tappingof Zach’s fingers on the table and the way Luke was eyeing his boyfriend like he was two seconds away from marching him outside.

“Maybe, but either way, at least I’ll have tried.” She eyed me up and down. “I have to say,you’relooking good.”

“Thanks. You too.” And I meant it.

She put a hand on my arm and squeezed. “I was sorry to hear about your dad. He’s home, right? Maybe I’ll drop by and say hello.”

Jesus George.That was the last thing I needed. When Laura headed north, my father berated me for lettingthe oneget away. “Thanks, and yeah, he is. But he’s not quite ready for visitors yet. Maybe give him a few weeks.”

“Okay.” She studied me for a moment, then smiled. “In the meantime, maybe we could get together for a drink or something, if you’re not seeing anyone, that is?”

My gaze strayed inexplicably to Liam before I snapped it back. “Nope. Still single. And yes, I’d like that.”

She beamed. “Excellent. I’ll call you. Now, are you going to buy me a drink or what?”

CHAPTERSIX

Liam

I stretchedfrom the bed to the window and flipped the roller blind up. Too-bright daylight poured into the bedroom, causing me to snap my eyelids closed and rest the back of my forearm over my eyes.

I think you and I should have a conversation soon?

My groan circled the quiet room.Really, Liam? What the hell were you thinking?

I couldn’t even blame the alcohol since I’d only had one beer. Still, it certainly solved one issue and answered a burning question.

After my suggestion, Jules couldn’t have been more obvious in his mission to avoid me, spending the rest of the evening talking and laughing with the cute blond who’d planted herself in my seat the moment I’d left. The easy intimacy they shared, touching and leaning in close, spoke to a lot more than friendship, and watching them dance together at the end of the evening, I’d found myself surprisingly disappointed and mortifyingly... jealous. And as for the almost silent thirty-minute drive back to the station, awkward didn’t even begin to cover it. When Jules finally pulled up at the cottage, he was as skittish as a kitten and I practically leaped out of the ute to end the mutual suffering as quickly as possible.

Dammit.

How had I read things so wrong? I was usually pretty astute when it came to this shit. Jules’ expression as he watched his brother kiss his boyfriend had seemed... envious... maybe even hungry. And the way he’d looked at me when our faces had been so close, way too close for most straight guys to be comfortable with—in that moment I’d been almost positive. But I’d been wrong. And I’d broken the golden rule—don’t flirt with a guy until you see the rainbow stripes in their eyes.

I sighed. Everyone had their off days, I guess. At least he was a nice guy and hadn’t gotten too pissed about it. Just... awkward.

I grabbed my phone from the bedside table and checked the time. Eight o’clock. I snuggled back under the covers to contemplate my plans for the day. My contract with Paddy stipulated a minimum of six hours a day Monday through Friday, two to three hours on Saturday morning, and Sundays off. But with it being our first week, I’d given Paddy the option of taking Saturday for himself and he’d jumped at the chance. I didn’t blame him. I ran a tough schedule and it took some getting used to. By the end of the previous day, he’d looked positively exhausted. I was happy to let him sleep in and give us both a break.

Through the blur of condensation on the window, a bluebird sky and a crisp, chilly morning beckoned. Perfect for a spot of yoga on the deck. And yet I balked at the very idea. My brain felt too cluttered to do it justice, which should only have reinforced my need for a bit of meditative stretching, but I was feeling an urge for the wind in my face and the road under my feet. I counted to three, flung the covers back, and ran my goosebumps as fast as I could to the bathroom. Ten minutes later, I was jogging down the gravel road with The Foo Fighters slamming in my ears.

A crisp frost covered the tussock mounds with only the grassy tips beginning to drip in the morning sun. Fence posts glistened in the sparkling light and the cool valley air grazed my cheeks like ice-tipped fingernails, my feet pounding in time to the music.

Fifteen minutes of running brought me to the river and out of sight of the big house and the rest of the station’s patchwork of buildings. With music blaring in my ears, I never even heard the quad until it pulled alongside and slowed to keep pace. And I didn’t need to look around to know who it was.

Jules.

I buried the petty urge to ignore him and slowed until I was running in place. Jules brought the quad to a stop, I turned and pulled my ear pods free, and Hopper immediately thrust his head over Jules’ shoulder, his breath fogging in the icy air.

“Hey, boy.” I reached out and stroked him. “That’s a cold nose you’ve got there.” I finally looked at Jules and offered a very civilised, “Good morning.”

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