Page 196 of Better When Shared
“It’s nothing serious,” I insisted, as much to myself as to Skylar. “They’re hot, they’re into me, we had some fun. End of story.”
“Mmhmm.” Skylar wasn’t buying it. “That’s why you’ve checked your phone like eighteen times since we’ve been sitting here?”
I jammed my phone deeper into my pocket. “Just habit.”
“Right.” She tilted her head, her expression softening. “Look, I’m not judging. They seem nice. Just... you always pickthe unavailable ones. Either you’re afraid of connecting with someone who’s going to stick around, or you have a self-destructive streak a mile wide.”
“Probably both.” I flashed her my most convincing grin. “But not to worry, I’m always careful. Condoms and emotional distance—my two favorite protections.” Never mind that I hadn’t used condoms with them.
She kicked me again, harder this time. “You’re such an asshole.”
“That’s why you love me.”
“If you say so.” Skylar drained the last of her beer and stood, stretching her arms overhead. “I’m calling it a night. Gonna get online with my gaming buddies.”
“Speaking of your gaming buddies, when are they going to come out for a visit?”
“Never. Gamer boys are like vampires — they live in basements and shrink at the sight of sunshine. They fear islands. Oh, and they’re never as hot as their avatars.”
“Won’t know until you find out,” I said, winking.
“Fuck off. I’m not a slut like you. Except when playing Baldur’s Gate.”
“I don’t even know what that is.”
“It’s a game, doofus. Oh, and Nainai’s dropping by tomorrow with more dumplings. She says you looked ‘depleted’ when she saw you at the marina.”
I groaned. “I don’t think I want to know what that means.”
“Probably something about your qi. But free food is free food, and Nainai’s is the most delicious.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
Smirking at me, she collected our empty bottles. “Try not to stay up all night pining, okay? We’ve got actual work to do tomorrow.”
“I don’t pine,” I called after her as she headed down the porch steps. “I brood. It’s different. Sexier.”
Skylar was still laughing at the thought of me calling myself sexy as she crossed the yard toward her cabin nestled in the trees on the other side of the barn. I watched until she disappeared into the low light of dusk, then sighed, slumping lower in my chair.
She was right, of course. I was in trouble.
I pushed myself up and headed inside, flicking on lights as I went.
What I was feeling didn’t make any sense. I barely knew Hamish and Imogen. So why couldn’t I stop thinking about the look inHamish’s eyes when he’d taken me in his mouth? Or the way Imogen had whispered both our names when she came?
I rubbed a hand over my face. I’d had plenty of great sex in my life. Plenty of intense connections that burned hot and fast. This wouldn’t be any different. They were tourists. We’d have our fun. They’d leave. Life would go on.
Determined to wash away any remnants of their scent on my skin, I headed for the shower. Maybe after a good bath and a good night’s sleep, I’d remember how this game was supposed to be played.
I stepped into the stall with a soft moan, turning the water hotter as it poured over my aching muscles, and closing my eyes, resting my forehead against the tile. My mind wouldn’t stop replaying everything that had happened over the past forty-eight hours.
I had Hamish’s phone number, and knew exactly where Imogen worked, so it wasn’t like I couldn’t find them if I wanted. But would they want me to chase them like that? Or would they be angry? My mind spun with possibilities, and I didn’t have an answer by the time I’d finished my shower.
When I heard the soft knock at my front door, I was still naked and wet. I cursed, assuming Skylar had forgotten something, and threw on a pair of sweatpants and a clean T-shirt. I padded barefoot through the living room, ready to tell her to stop bugging me. But when I swung the door open, the words diedin my throat. Hamish and Imogen stood on my porch, looking nervous but determined.
“Surprise,” Imogen said, holding up a bottle of red wine with a shy smile. Her gorgeous hair hung loose around her shoulders, casual in a way I hadn’t seen before.
Hamish stood beside her, clutching two bags of food. “We thought you might be hungry. After... everything.”
