Page 54 of Hard Rock Fling
"Hey, just take off your wrist cuff," I said.
Ian froze, going stiff.
"So you don't have to strip completely," I explained.
"It's fine." He seemed to force a smile on his face, but the muscles in his shoulders and back were still tense. His fingers were twitching, trembling. "I'm cool with losing the boxers."
"Jewelry counts, though, right?"
He let out a strangled sound and shook his head.
"That's not fair to you. The rest of us can use our accessories."
"I said it's fine!" He snapped his jaw shut and turned his head away. I shrank back into my chair alarmed. The table went silent.
"I fold," he muttered after a few awkward moments. He threw his cards on the table, grabbed his pants and stalked off down the hallway.
"You can't fold, asshole!" Cameron called out. "It's Go Fish, not poker."
"What was that about?" Jen asked.
I shook my head helplessly, hurt and confused. "I don't know why he got so upset."
"You should go after him." August glanced up from his cards for a brief second, his eyes clear and penetrating. "Don't let him be alone."
I looked back to the hallway. "I fold, too."
"That's not how it works!" Cameron griped as I stood from the table and left.
Chapter Nineteen
Ienteredone of Cameron's many bathrooms with hesitant steps. Ian was leaning against the sink, taking a long swig of beer. With his head thrown back, his rippling throat muscles and strong jaw were on display. He'd put his pants back on, but he was still shirtless. The sight made my stomach clench.
"Ian?"
He ignored me, finishing off the beer and tossing the bottle in the sink. The glass made a clattering noise, loud in the empty bathroom. A lump of worry formed in my gut. I didn't know what I'd said to make him run off.
"I'm sorry."
He braced himself against the counter with two hands, head bowed. I could see the top of his head in the mirror above the sink.
"No." He exhaled heavily through his nose. "I'm sorry."
"I said something to upset you."
"It wasn't you. I shouldn't have—" He cut himself off and shook his head. "Never mind."
I approached him slowly. I wrapped my arms around chest from behind.
"Can you tell me what I said that upset you?"
"It doesn't matter."
He had his hang ups about his brother, aboutDamian'sreputation with women, and now this.
"I don't like feeling I have to walk on eggshells around you," I confessed quietly.
He groaned and turned around, pulling me against his chest. "I don't want you to feel that way."
