Page 35 of Beneath Your Beautiful

He arched his brows. “What did you do to piss her off, Romeo?”

I ignored Louis and followed Eden out into the hallway. “Where are you going?”

She stopped and turned to face me. I crossed my arms over my chest. She took a few steps closer and planted her hands on her hips. “If this is how you act after letting me sketch your face, I’m sorry I asked.” She was beautiful when she was angry, her skin flushed and those green eyes flashing heat.

“You think everything is about you, princess?”

Her eyes flared. “I don’t know what to think. How could I? You don’t talk. All night you acted like…”

“An asshole. You said that already. A few times.”

“I call it like I see it.” She tilted her head, trying to make sense of my behavior. “Why are you acting like this?”

“Text me when you get home.”

She let out an exasperated sigh. “Why?”

“So, I know you got home safely.” How hard was that to understand?

Eden rolled her eyes. “I can take care of myself, and if you ever call me princess again, I’ll—”

I leaned my shoulder against the wall and gave her a lazy grin designed to piss her off. “What will you do?” I glanced at her balled fists and laughed. “Punch me?”

Her chest heaving with indignation, she stormed off.

“Don’t forget to text me,” I called after her. She held her middle finger in the air as she rounded the corner. I chuckled under my breath. I loved it when she got feisty. How could Inotfind her irresistible?

I whipped out my phone and texted Zeke.Make sure she gets home okay. And remember what I told you.

Friends. No benefits. Got it,he texted back.

Five minutes later, he sent me a follow-up text. She’s not too impressed with you right now. If you’re saving her for yourself, you’re doing a shitty job of it.

I didn’t bother replying.

* * *

I swirled the amber liquid around in my glass before I downed it. The burn hit my throat and heat pooled in my stomach, the fire spreading throughout my body. I set my empty glass on the coffee table. Unlike Seamus, I knew how to control my whiskey consumption. The shootout scene in a basement tavern played out on my TV. I’d seenInglourious Basterdsbefore, so the element of surprise was missing. It was background noise—something to keep me company and pass the time.

I checked my phone again. It was three in the morning, and still nothing from Eden. Fuck it.

Are you home yet?I texted.

Seconds later, my phone buzzed with a message.Yes.

I told you to text me.

And I told you I can take care of myself.

How did you get home?

My two feet carried me.

You walked? At 3:00 in the morning?

I stared at my phone and waited for a response. I didn’t get one.

Fucking Zeke. I swiped the screen and called him. When he answered, I heard music in the background. Something upbeat and loud. Party music. “What’s up?”