Page 31 of Keeping Skylar (Fractured Hearts #1)

Heath

The four of us are gathered around a table at Coyle’s, celebrating my homecoming. Hannah and Skylar are enjoying their mojitos, while Nate and I take hearty gulps from our pints of beer.

It’s been a week since I moved to Brightly Bay, and it already feels like home.

I started working at the restaurant a few days ago, and it’s been an incredible experience.

The food is outstanding, the team is fantastic, and the atmosphere is full of life.

As head chef, I’m responsible for planning next season’s menu, and so far, my ideas have been met with enthusiasm from the boss. Life couldn’t be any more perfect.

Skylar has been very accommodating, allowing me the freedom to use her kitchen as my creative space. I’ve been planning to cook us a meal again, but each time I’ve suggested it to her, she seems to have already eaten beforehand.

Sometimes, it feels like she’s trying her best to avoid me, offering excuses like being too tired or needing to prepare for her class the next day.

More often than not, she spends her evenings locked away in her room, only coming out when she needs something from the kitchen.

I’d be lucky to have a conversation with her that lasts more than a few sentences.

I’m not sure when things changed, but ever since I played her my song that night, she’s been acting differently—more reserved, more distant.

My mind keeps replaying that night, trying to pinpoint when things started feeling off between us.

I can’t help but wonder if something I said or did made her pull away.

I’m hoping tonight we’re able to have more than just a brief conversation and that she’ll feel a little more comfortable, especially with Hannah here to help ease the tension.

The girls are on their fourth cocktail of the evening, having just finished our meals, and I can already see Skylar starting to loosen up.

I’ve caught her glancing my way a few times, and I’ve been doing the same.

There’s just something about her I can’t figure out yet.

Every time she’s near, I feel this magnetic pull, like I’m desperate to get close to her.

Hannah’s loud squeal snaps me out of my reverie. She and Nate have been all over each other since we sat down, and it’s only getting worse as they become more intoxicated.

“Sit on my lap, babe,” Nate teases as he slaps his thigh, a devious grin spreading across his face.

Hannah scrunches up her nose, pretending to be grossed out, and attempts to slide her chair further away from her fiancé. “Eww, creep! Not here!” she quips.

Jesus Christ. These two need to get a fucking room. They’re practically eye-fucking each other and the sight makes me want to gauge my own eyes out.

As if reading my mind, Skylar looks up from her phone and asks, “Do you guys need a room? I’ve got nothing against voyeurism, but unless you are, you’re giving everyone a front-row seat to your foreplay show tonight.”

I snort into my drink and the sound makes her snap her head towards me.

Her sultry smile and the way she teasingly sips her cocktail while locking eyes with me has me wondering just how tipsy she is. Is she trying to flirt with me right now?

“Uh, no, we don’t.” Hannah rolls her eyes, her cheeks turning a dark shade of pink.

“Nate just gets like this when he’s been drinking.”

“Nate, brother. Wait until you get home, man. I really don’t want to witness you feeling up my sister when I’m right here.”

I jerk back as I’m suddenly sprayed with something wet and cold, and then I quickly realise that Skylar has accidentally spat out her drink.

She covers her mouth, fighting to suppress a laugh. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry, Heath.” She hiccups, making Hannah and Nate break into laughter. She reaches across the table to grab a napkin and starts wiping the splatter off my jaw and neck, her touch sending a jolt of electricity through my body.

I shake my head, letting out a low chuckle as I take the napkin from her and wipe the remnants of her drink from my mouth and chin.

I try—and I mean really try—not to lick the last drops from my lips, but I fail miserably.

The sweet hint of her mouth still lingers, and damn it, I can’t help but savour it. Heath, you pervert.

I clear my throat and grin at Skylar. “I’ve never had a mojito shower before, but it definitely feels and tastes refreshing.” I wink, earning me another laugh from around the table.

Hannah shakes her head, wearing a ‘you’re so lame’ expression on her face, while Nate waggles his eyebrows at me. The prick loves to taunt me, and I’m almost certain he’s going to give me shit about this later.

I’ve been trying to act casual around Skylar all night, but seeing her laugh and joke with Hannah and Nate, looking so carefree and incredibly sexy, is making it really difficult to keep my feelings in check.

I’m ridiculously drawn to this woman—to the point, where she’s constantly on my mind, day and night. I think about how her eyes light up when she talks about work and her family, and how those irresistible dimples appear every time she smiles or laughs.

Sometimes, all it takes is her walking into a room, and I’m already struggling to keep it together. Everything about her captivates me ... and drives me insane at the same time. I’ve only known Skylar for a week, and it feels like I’m already feeling too much.

Hannah is right; the last thing Skylar needs is for me to complicate things by getting involved with her.

I need a moment to breathe, to take a step back before I do something impulsive and completely out of character—like lean across this table and kiss her senseless right here in the middle of the restaurant.

Maybe I should find a distraction—anything to clear my head—but I’ve got no idea what that could be.

Feeling the sudden urge to escape for a moment, I push back my chair, mumble a quick excuse, and head straight for the restroom.

Once I’m locked safely inside the men’s room, I take a few deep breaths and try to shake off the ridiculous thoughts swirling in my head.

It’s starting to get out of hand. I can’t even make it through one night with Skylar without feeling the overwhelming need to touch her, to kiss her.

She’s my roommate, for God’s sake—this is dangerous territory.

Maybe it’ll help if I hook up with someone tonight and get it all out of my system. It’s been a while since I’ve had sex, and living with Skylar hasn’t exactly made my dry spell any easier.

Yep. I should just do it. I should just go out there and find a really sexy woman to flirt with. And hopefully, if it all goes well, we can leave here by the end of the night for a bit of fun. I can do this . I’ve done this many times before.

I splash some cold water on my face and wipe it dry with a paper towel before stepping out and heading straight to the bar.

Once I reach the bar, I quickly scan my surroundings. A few minutes later, I spot two gorgeous women sitting at the end of the bar, a couple of feet away. The blonde bombshell catches my eye and smiles. Bingo!

I stride over to them and stand beside the blonde, who meets my gaze with a shy smile. My eyes linger on her, taking in every detail of her tight little body in a short black dress, as I offer to buy their next round of drinks.

“Are you ladies enjoying your night?” I ask, keeping my voice low and gravelly.

The two girls grin from ear to ear as if they’ve been waiting all night for someone to join their little duo. The fiery redhead speaks up first. “It’s been pretty tame so far, but now that you’re here ... I’m sure our night is going to get a whole lot better,” she responds with a sultry smile.

I wink at her and hold out my hand. “I’m Heath.”

The redhead places her small hand in mine and gives it a light shake. “Katie, and this is Summer.” She gestures to the blonde to her left.

I shake Summer’s hand, her coy smile awakening a primal need within me. “Are you from around here, Katie and Summer?”

Summer shakes her head and finally says, “We’re from the Sunshine Coast. We’re in Melbourne for a business trip, and it’s our last night here.”

Taking that as an open invitation to have some fun, I decide to push a little more. “What are you hoping to do on your last night in the city? Something memorable, I hope.” I flash them a playful grin—the kind that never fails to charm the ladies.

“Well, that depends. What do you have in mind, Heath?” Katie’s luscious lips curve into a devious smile as she says my name.

Their gazes lock onto mine, daring me to take this to a more private setting.

Eager to get the party started, I glance between the two vixens and tilt my head towards the door. “Want to get out of here?” I grin suggestively.

Summer and Katie exchange a quick glance before turning to face me, nodding in unison.

I break into a triumphant smile, thrilled to be finally releasing some of the sexual tension that’s been building up all week. I tell the girls I’ll meet them outside as I quickly say goodnight to the gang.

Once Katie and Summer are out of sight, I make a beeline to where Hannah, Nate and Skylar are still seated.

Hannah looks my way and snickers. “Well, that was fast. Only a week after arriving back, and you’re already going home with not one but two women. Things never change.” She shakes her head.

I wink at her with a tsk. “Can’t help it that the ladies find me irresistible,” I tease, and I don’t miss the way Skylar’s eyes narrow, as if annoyed by my response.

I shift my focus back to Hannah, deliberately ignoring the heated glare that Skylar is directing at me.

“I just wanted to thank you for celebrating the evening with me, and, um ... yeah.” The words stumble out, and suddenly, I’m at a loss. Skylar’s intense gaze is both unreadable and unnerving. Why does she look angry all of a sudden?