Page 28 of Heartless Boss
She uses her index and middle fingers to point to her eyes then to Gunner’s as she walks backward toward the glass doors, disappearing from the balcony. I watch as Matteo holds her hand, then I peer at Gunner.
Several moments later, the silence between us is drowning out the blaring of car horns.
“Are you still friends with Logan? Is he still with that crazy girl?” This is the most boring talk, but it keeps me from thinking about being super-duper horny.
He takes long sips of the brown liquid before he answers. “Yeah, we are. He isn’t with her anymore, but they have kids. He’s a criminal lawyer now.”
Logan didn’t show up to the library as much as Matteo and Gunner, but when he did and his girlfriend wasn’t around, he asked me if I had any friends who were into random hookups. He invited me to Gunner’s graduation party and encouraged me to go because I might not see him again. Gunner was known as a party animal back then.
“Wow, I can’t believe you guys are still friends.” I tuck my legs under my butt.
He stares at me with delight in his eyes. What kind of dirty thoughts is he having about me?
Note to self—Don’t drink anytime soon, especially not around Gunner.
I set my glass on the round table next to me and shake my head. “Is Alana your only sister? Do you come from a two-parent household?” I ask, changing the subject.
I always wondered if I had any brothers or sisters on my dad’s side, and if I did, would I have been close to them? Or would there be sibling rivalries? The way I see Izzy and her sister interact with each other make me envious. Siblings are lifetime friends that people are lucky to have.
“It’s public knowledge I came from a single-parent home, Rainbow.” He pauses and his eyes move rapidly. “Alana is five years younger than me.” He rests his arm on the back of the couch, still clutching the glass. “My dad left when I was seven, and Alana was two.”
“Why did he leave?” I ask, playing with my hair.
“He dumped my ma for younger tits and ass. He had a thing for women younger than him.”
His facial expression is stoic and his shoulders tense. My heart bleeds for him.
“Tell me more about you,” I say. His eyes are so deep, I can get lost in them. I lick my lips, wanting to taste the whiskey on his tongue.
“That’s all you’re going to get out of me.” Just like that he shuts me out. I want him to use me like a diary and spill all his secrets to me. “Why are you fighting what’s between us, Rainbow?” He uses his thumb to stroke my right cheek; a million butterflies swim in my stomach.
“There’s nothing going on between us,” I lie.
“You’re a terrible liar, but if you want to live in denial, then I’m all for it.”
“Maybe I hate the way you make me feel, Gunner,” I say.
“How do I make you feel?” He cups my cheek, staring into my eyes. Like he’s about to kiss me.
Don’t kiss me.
Kiss me.
Don’t kiss me.
Kiss me.
“Like a winter’s thaw. I’m frozen until you come around melting me into a puddle and making me feel more alive than ever before.”
I’m shocked by the way I opened up to him. Shocked that I finally admitted how he made me feel all those years ago when he used to come to the library to visit me. I pull away from his warm touch, avoiding eye contact. I don’t want to know how he feels about me, if he has any feelings.
This conversation is over, so I gather my wine glass and camera and walk inside.
When I crawl into his bed with my phone, pinning cupcakes on Pinterest, I receive a message from Gunner.
You’re my new addiction.
From your Wolf.
