Page 89 of Clashing
“It’s basically the same people you come with to the bar every night.” She followed me. “How is a barbecue different?”
“I don’t like Fourth of July.”
“Why not?”
“Jesus, Scarlett. Drop it. I just don’t like it.”
“Is it because of Collin?”
That was definitely part of it but not the whole thing. I didn’t need witnesses to my inevitable freak-out once the fireworks started.
“If it is, you should know Collin won’t be there,” she said. “He had plans to go to the coast before we started dating and I wanted to stay with Dan.”
That didn’t help a lot. Without him there, I’d have an even harder time not flirting with her. Like right now.
“The world doesn’t revolve around you, Scarlett. I don’t want to go. That’s it.” I spun to face her, and she almost knocked into me. “But while we’re being nosy, why is it still dating?”
Her lips pulled down. “What?”
“You guys have been dating for a while.” I stepped closer. “Why isn’t he your boyfriend?”
She stepped back and averted her eyes. “He hasn’t asked.”
“Why haven’t you?” Another step closer, and her floral shampoo invaded my senses. “Why haven’t you asked him to be your boyfriend? I thought you wanted a relationship.”
Each step I took, she took one back until she bumped into the wall. She inhaled sharply when I braced my palms on either side of her head. Fuck, Iwantedher. We had something. Something that couldn’t be broken. The desperate idiot inside me took the wheel because I had an effect on her and couldn’t let it go.
It’s not all gone.
“It hasn’t been that long.” Her blush spread down to her rapidly falling and rising chest. “What are you doing?”
“Curious.” I dipped my head, and her warm breath fanned over my lips, the heat between us crackling hotter by the second. “If it’s not exclusive, doesn’t that mean you’re allowed to be with other people?”
“Ryker.” She pushed me back. “I’m not that girl.”
“I didn’t mean me,” I lied. “How would you feel if he were out with another girl? Have you made those rules with him? For all you know, he’s out with someone else right now.”
“Stop trying to sabotage this.” She swatted my arm. “That’s not what you meant.”
“It is. Although, I’m wondering why you assumed I meant me. You want me, sugar?” I cocked my head. “Seems like you do.” I rested my hand over her chest, where her heart thrummed against my palm. “Look how hard you’re breathing. Am I making you nervous, Scarlett?”
“God, Ryker.” She shoved me back. “I don’t appreciate you doing this. Just becauseNatdoesn’t mind being unfaithful, doesn’t mean I’m okay with it.”
I groaned and leaned one shoulder against the wall. “You’re not going to let that go, are you?”
“It’s not you.” She curled her arms around herself. “I don’t see you as that guy.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re a good guy and sleeping with someone who’s taken is sleazy.”
“I’m not a good guy, Scarlett. Far from it.”
“Bullshit.” She pursed her lips. “I know you. You’re an asshole but you’re also a good guy. So, why are you sleeping with a married woman?”
It’s always going to come back to this.She couldn’t get past it, and I didn’t know what to say.
“You don’t know me, Scar.” I forced myself to grab my toolbox and move toward the exit. “Don’t pretend you do. Us fucking for a couple months,”sixty-seven days, “doesn’t mean you know shit.”
