Page 107

Okay. I need to cut that line of thought off before I lose the ability to stand on solid legs.
Forcing my eyes to his face, I don’t miss the blatant offer in his stare for me to keep exploring what his body has to offer.
“Hey,” he says simply, so much heat in his amber eyes that the color is liquid and tempting.
I shake myself of a reaction I can’t be blamed for. Just about any healthy female - and even a good number of males - would feel the same.
“Hey.” My voice comes out on an awkward croak.
Clearing my throat, I give him a weak smile and lift my brows in silent question as to whether he’s planning on letting me in.
Eventually, he takes the hint and steps aside, but he doesn’t move enough that I can get through without our bodies brushing together, his scent wrapping around me as I pass.
Then it’s his arms wrapping around me and his chest against my back.
Stopping in place, I close my eyes and take a breath. Enjoying having Damon so close is wrong, but it’s not the same type of feeling I have when it’s Ezra holding me like this.
Still, I can’t claim I don’t react to Damon’s presence. It’s hard not to. I had a relationship with him as much as his brother when we were younger. I’d tempted fate so much that all three of us were hurt because of it.
I won’t do it again.
I flat out refuse.
Which is why we both need the reminder that there’s a third part to this friendship.
Especially now that he’s burying his face against my neck as his arms squeeze tight.
Especially now that I can feel another part of him that’s a bit too excited to be this close to me.
“Where’s Ezra?”
Damon stills at the reminder, several tense seconds passing before he slowly releases me and answers.
“He went to Tanner’s place for a little bit. Something happened with Luca, and Tanner is freaking out. We were both supposed to go, but I offered to stay here since we’d already made plans.”
Turning to look up at him, I try to ignore the sharp edges to his expression. The tension in his jaw is making his cheeks shadow, his stare tangling with mine as if begging me to step closer and ease whatever pain he’s in.
I see memories in his eyes.
Ones I’m not entirely immune to experiencing myself.
Ones that slice at my skin in a desperate bid to reach my heart.
I have to keep the topic of conversation light.
“Who’s Luca?”
“Tanner’s girlfriend.”
His voice is practically toneless on the answer. Distracted. As if what we’re talking about now is only an annoying barrier blocking whatever it is he’s really thinking.
Still, it surprises me. “Tanner has a girlfriend?”
Holy shit.
What woman in her right mind would commit to that man? He’s evil incarnate. The worst of the Inferno, followed closely by Gabe, Jase and Mason.
And why the hell hasn’t Ava told me about this? No, we’re not talking as regularly as we used to, but this is insane information.