Page 125 of Devious Love

A bolt of excitement courses through me. It’s clear what’s going to happen. Matt and Luna will take the primary suite. Miles and Chiara will share a room, obviously, since they’re dating. And since Luna’s brother apparently needs his own space, that leaves Mia and me bunking together.

I have to fight the urge to give Matt a bear hug. Not only because I’ll get to share a room with her, but because it will give us an opportunity to talk.

As ecstatic as I am, I press my lips together to keep myself from grinning as I lean against the kitchen counter and cross my arms.

Matt clears his throat. “Someone will have to sleep on the couch.”

I shrug nonchalantly. “Or I can take the floor.”

Mia sighs, her shoulders sagging. “That’s fine. It’s not a big deal.”

Luna gestures to the stairs. “Let’s go. I’ll show you to your room so you two can get settled.”

Mia steals a glance at me then squares her shoulders and follows Luna.

As I hit the top of the stairs behind them, Luna gestures to a closed door. “This one is yours. Take your time and join us downstairs when you’re settled.”

She looks from Mia to me, mischief dancing in her eyes, making me question the truth about the bedroom situation. Could this be a ploy to force Mia and me to spend time together? If so, I have the best friends in the world.

Though I can’t imagine Mia would agree, especially when she opens the door of our room and sees the lone bed in the middle of the space.

Settlingin didn’t take long. Mia was silent as she pulled her toiletry bag out of her suitcase and hung a few things in the closet. Then, she quickly headed downstairs.

As the group lounges around the house, drinking, talking, and laughing, I catch her glancing my way. I keep my distance, but that doesn’t mean I’m not acutely aware of everything she does.

Someone suggests we go out—probably Miles, because it’s always him—so we head to a local club, spending our first night in Tahoe surrounded by a crowd of people, alcohol, and loud music.

With an elbow propped on the bar, I stand with Miles and Matt. They’re drinking whiskey, but I stick with beer. I don’t want to get too drunk tonight.

Mia is on the dance floor with Chiara and Luna. I take her in as she moves her hips. She’s in a little black dress that shines under the strobe lights. Her hair is down, falling over her bare shoulders like a heavy curtain. The heels she has on should be illegal, because her legs seem endless.

Fuck, she’s beautiful.

Luna makes her way to us, a drink in her hand. She’s swaying her hips, eyes laser focused on her fiancé.

“Come dance with us!” she yells.

“Nah, baby, we’re good.” Matt pulls her to his chest and wraps his arms around her waist. “Better you come to us.”

“I’m already here.” She places her hand on the back of his neck and kisses him.

I turn away, giving them a moment, and when I find Mia again, anger flares to life inside me. She’s dancing, facing me, but that isn’t the problem. It’s the guy hovering behind her, dancing incredibly close to her back. She angles away, sidestepping him, but he leans in and says something to her.

She forces a tight smile and puts more distance between herself and the creep. Chiara grabs her hand and drags her closer, the two of them turning away, but he doesn’t get the hint. He’s still there, and considering how unsteady he is on his feet, he’s drunk.

Beside me, Miles grunts just loud enough to be heard over the music. Lips flat, he watches the scene unravel too.

Chiara is shielding Mia from the man now, but instead of walking away, he rounds her and towers over Mia again.

She shakes her head and walks toward us, taking Chiara’s hand. Her eyes meet mine, and I swear, her body sags with relief.

The fucking asshole actually has the gall to follow her. He’s officially moved past the pissing me off stage and has made it onto my shit list. He keeps following her, eyes glassy as he tries to grab her.

I hand Miles my beer and make a beeline toward the girls. Mia notices me approaching and lets go of Chiara’s hand, gesturing for her to continue. As Chiara and I pass one another, Mia turns to face the fucker.

Swaying from left to right, the guy stops too, and just as I reach them, he says, “C’mon baby. Why did you leave?”

“I told you I’m not interested,” she hisses.