Page 56

I gulped when my eyes locked with Dan’s large oval ones, the color of the night sky. Alec spun me back. He was smirking down at me.

“He likes you, you know?” Alec’s hands moved down a tad lower. “But the thing is, Chloe, do you like him?”

“Of course I do.” My eyebrows frowned and studied his face as he dropped his smirk. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“You’re not his mate.” Alec’s hot minty breath swirled around my face. “You and he are doomed before you begin.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“We have mates for a reason. Don’t go against nature.”

“You sleep with women who aren’t your mate!”

“That’s different. That’s for fun.” Alec’s head lowered. “Feelings don’t get involved.”

The deep drum rumble softened our conversation. I knew no one else would be able to hear us. Loosening my arms, I kept my eyes locked with his.

“Are you saying I’m hurting him?”

“You are hurting yourself.” Alec and I stopped swaying and his eyes were soft, all the teasing and playfulness gone from his face. “There is a thin line between hate and love. I just don’t want to lose you as a…well, um, a kinda sister.”

“A hot sister?” A smile twitched at the corner of my lips and he rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, well. You know.” Alec unclenched a hand from my back and ran it through his messy hair. “Just don’t hurt each other.”

The beat changed and, from the daggers I felt in the back of my head I knew my work was done.

“I’ll see you at home, Ace.” I shot him a gentle smile and then brought my hand back and slapped it across his face. “I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU! FINE. WHATEVER. HAVE HER!”

Alec’s eyes looked terrified and he cupped his injured cheek. A few people glanced in our direction, but not many paid attention. After all, there was only one person we really wanted to see that slap, and I had a feeling she did.

“Have a good night,” I said under my breath to him, before turning around and faking a look of disgust. I shot a dirty glare in the brunette’s direction before marching away like a scorned women.

“Nice backhand,” Dan smirked at me, jealousy and anger now gone from his eyes. Or he was hiding it well.

“Come on, let’s get out of here.” I lowered my voice. Dan was up from the chair in an instant and we moved through the luau. As soon as we were clear of the crowds and Alec was out of sight, Dan grabbed my hand from my side and shot me his charming smile.

Was I setting myself up to be hurt? I glanced at our entangled hands. My heart was telling me no, but my stomach was flipping backwards at the possible heartbreak which could come my way.

***

“You ok? You’re really quiet.”

I turned away from the beach and looked at Dan. “Yeah, I’m…do you think we’re doing the wrong thing?”

I tried to pretend everything was ok, but, yeah, that backfired. I couldn’t lie to Dan. The breeze swirled my hair across my face and I brushed it to the side. I studied Dan’s intense stare and his t-shirt flapping in the night breeze against his toned chest.

“What did Alec say?” He crossed his arms, watching my reaction.

“Just stated facts, facts we both know.” I shrugged my shoulders and let the night ocean breeze whisk around me. I closed my eyes enjoying the feeling. “I don’t want to hurt you, Dan.”

I felt his hands cup my face. I didn’t need to open my eyes to see him. I felt him.

“Chloe, we both know that this could end in disaster.”

Slowly I opened my eyes and looked into his. “Then we should stop this.”

His arms brushed against my chest as his hands remained around my face. His eyes were intense and I could hear the steady rise and fall of his chest. My own rising chest was competing against his, both of our bodies reacting to skin contact.