Page 18 of Fourth and Long

He stands up, yanks his shirt off, takes a few steps, and pulls it over her head.

“You can be half naked, but I can’t?” she says with a chuckle.

I try to wrench my gaze off Slater, but it’s impossible. It should be illegal for him to be shirtless. He’s lean, not an ounce of body fat on him, with muscles that are sleek rather than bulky.

“I don’t make the rules, I just follow them,” he says.

I study the line of hair that disappears into the waistband of his pants. I know it’s inappropriate for me to ogle him, but I’ve never been this close to perfection. I didn’t know they made bodies like his.

With superhuman effort, I divert my attention to his face. Thankfully, he isn’t paying me any attention.

“If I have to suffer your company, the least you can do is wear a shirt,” he says, folding his arms and glaring at her.

His biceps pop and his stomach looks even more defined. I barely withhold a moan.

She laughs and says, “You’re such a prude.”

She opens the fridge and pulls out a gallon of milk, then pours herself a glass while Slater continues to glare at her.

“Who’s this?” She tips her head in my direction as she leans against the counter next to me.

“Ellie is my friend,” he says, which, let’s face it, is a total lie. We barely know each other.

I’ve never felt more awkward in my life. I wonder if she noticed how thoroughly I checked him out.

He turns to me, his face a mask of neutrality. “This is my twin sister, Celeste. She arrived unexpectedly last night.”

“You never invite me.” Celeste tosses the words at him as she looks at me. “I’m sorry to intrude. I didn’t know Slater had a friend over.”

The special emphasis she places on the word “friend” is not lost on me.

Heat creeps into my cheeks. She definitely noticed the way I was drooling over his naked chest. “I’m not his friend. We’re, um—” And now it sounds like we’re sleeping together. Abort. Abort. “It’s not a problem. I can…uh…go?”

Slater glares at Celeste as if he’s hoping she’ll give us some privacy. She smirks and grabs a piece of his uneaten toast.

He sighs. “Let me get a shirt and I’ll walk you out.”

No scooter today. I’m a bit bummed.

It seems unnecessary for him to walk me out, but he disappears down the hall before I can tell him there’s no need.

Celeste turns to me as soon as he’s gone.

“What are you really doing here?” Her carefree, almost goofy behavior is gone.

“My sister is married to Cam.”

She raises her brow. “Slater’s agent?”

“That’s right.”

“I’m confused.” Her eyes narrow. “I don’t know why that’s relevant. But surely you know that the last few years have been difficult for my brother. He doesn’t need some girl taking advantage of him.”

I have no idea what she thinks I’m doing to take advantage of him.

Her eyes narrow even more. “He hasn’t dated in years.”

Ah. “We aren’t dating.”