Page 90 of Meant to Be

“I hate him.”

“Well. That’s understandable.”

We both take a sip, holding our drinks the exact same—our pinky fingers lifted off from the cup. We grin at each other. If someone told me that me and my brother were alike, I’d laugh. But then we have moments like this where our mannerisms are the exact same and I think I may believe them.

“Why did you do it?” he asks.

I stiffen, my train of thought having swept away for a moment.

“Do what?”

“Cheat on Nick.” I swallow, my throat drying out. “You say you love him, but you weren’t happy. I could see it then and I can see it now.” He tilts his head, eyes scrutinising me. “So, why did you do it?”

Maybe I wasn’t as transparent as I thought. I keep an aloof expression on my face as I shift in my seat.

“A bad decision on my behalf. That’s all.”

“Bullshit.”

I quirk an eyebrow. “There isn’t any more to it.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“Why?”

“Because Harley has been eye fucking you the moment he realised you were here,” Sam jabs a finger at me. “And you’ve been doing it right back.”

I blink for a moment. Have I?

My eyes travel back to the bar. Harley’s deep eyes are like two pools of water staring back at me. Just one look from him sends heat flaring over me.

“Have not.”

“Have so.” He grins. “Admit it. Nick doesn’t rev your engine like Harley does.”

“Oh myGod!” I half-exclaim, half-guffaw. “Sam!”

I sink into my seat, feeling like my face is about to light on fire. I really hope Harley didn’t hear that.

While Sam laughs, I excuse myself to the bathroom and slip in there to collect myself. I don’t like how right he is. When I step back out, Harley is in the hall.

“Hey,” he says.

My body does that thing where it feels like I’ve gone too fast down a hill and left my stomach behind.

“Hey.”

The hallway is dark and I’m finding it hard to breathe.

“How are you?” he asks.

“Hot. I need ice.” I blurt.

“Uh, okay,” he says slowly, pushing off the wall. “I’ll get you some.”

I follow him into the kitchen. The chef is singing to himself and has no idea he’s no longer alone. Harley grabs a cup of ice from the freezer and ushers us back into the dim hallway. When he passes it to me, our fingers brush, sending a jolt of electricity through me.

His eyes fix on the ice as I run it up my arm. I press it into my neck and push it low over my chest, before settling it between my breasts. Harley’s lips part as he watches. Feeling suddenly bold, I pluck it into my fingers and press it into my mouth, before I lean towards him. His lips open and I push the ice cube inside his mouth with my tongue.