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Chapter Twelve

What happened?I’m still dazed by the last couple of minutes. How could so much happen in such a short amount of time?

Deegan’s whinny reminds me I didn’t finish brushing him. I pick up the wire brush again and resume grooming his ebony coat with firm strokes.

Liam had been charming and not at all his usual jerk self, and I’d been drawn to him. I would have kissed him. I want to kiss him still.

Fuck! That’s not good. Not good at all. I have to cool off. I have to calm down.

I can’t—I won’t hook up with him.

Yes, he’s hot. Hell, he’s hot as fuck. Yeah, I have noticed. More than once.

One would have to be dead not to notice how hot he is. And more than that. Liam has a certain air of confidence about him. Like he knows who he is and makes no apologies for it. Maybe he was always like this. Maybe it’s a marine thing. Guys in the military are sexy.

Whatever this is, it’s not good for me to get any ideas about him and I can’t avoid him altogether.

I mean, his brother and my sister are madly in love with each other. Skye fell hard and fast for Logan, and he’s just the same. Skye’s a different person since meeting him—different in a good way. She has always been quiet and reserved. She’s such an introvert. Logan’s love for her makes her more self-assured, confident, and even more adventurous.

I’m the opposite. And I don’t want to change or be changed by a guy. No matter how hot said guy is.

I think of his hands on my hips, the feel of his hard body and his lips almost on mine—a shiver runs down my skin and I rub my arms to shake it off.

I like my snarky, in your face personality. I don’t want to change.

If falling in love with someone does that—changes people—I want nothing to do with it. What would love do to me? Make me coy and insecure?

Fuck that noise! And then that little voice in my head speaks, ‘Love makes you a better version of yourself.’

Does it? I’m not so sure.