“Exit wounds,” he murmured.
“You were shot?”
“It happens.”
She giggled. “It happens?”
He propped himself on one arm and looked down at her, his crooked grin a little too gorgeous for a woman already contemplating round two.
She shook her head.
His gaze explored her face in the dim light spilling into the cabana. “That was... Damn. Did I hurt you?”
Her chest felt heavy. “No.” He hadn’t hurt her. He’d made her feel alive. Desired. Cherished. And when his attention wandered to her breast, she knew she’d feel all those things again if she didn’t stop this madness. A distraction was in order and fast. She asked the first thing that came to mind. “How...how did it happen? The scars, I mean?”
Everything about him changed. Gone was the passionate man who’d completely rocked her world. His face was expressionless, devoid of any emotion. He stood suddenly, pulling his pants up in the process. She hadn’t realized how cool it was until he’d left her. She shivered—from the chill in the air and from Patton.
Why his sudden withdrawal bothered her, she didn’t know. But it did. Obviously mentioning the scars was a bad move. Maybe it was too painful to talk about? She stared up at him, taking in the hostility he radiated. What had happened to him... She shook her head. None of her business. This—they—was about sex. Pure and simple. She didn’t want anything more. If he didn’t want to share life experiences with her, fine. It didn’t make sense for her to get upset about it. It didn’t make sense to feel...angry. But she did. She sat up, smoothing her skirt over her legs and tying her halter behind her neck.
“Need help?” he asked, tucking his shirt into his pants.
“Nope.” She hadn’t meant to snap.
His eyebrows rose, but he didn’t say anything.
She stiffened at the sound of laughter in the distance. It wasn’t as if they were alone. There were guests at the inn. And the two of them were practically on display since he’d kissed her before she’d untied the last shade. She wasn’t into exhibitionism and had no desire to be discovered by someone. Especially one of the party guests... Or, God forbid, family. She’d been so caught up in Patton she’d all but forgotten about Bianca and Zach’s engagement party. What the hell was wrong with her? The wedding must be getting to her more than she knew.
She stood, shaking out her skirt and running her fingers through her hair. She should have spent less time fantasizing about Patton, his incredible body, and all the things he could do to her and more time getting to know the charming Zach Ryan. She didn’t know why, but she didn’t trust him.
She realized Patton was watching her, eyes narrowed.
“What?”
“I’m not sure,” he answered. “You’re the one sighing and hostile.”
“Hostile?” She shook her head. “Me? Can’t imagine why.” He was the one who’d broken the mood by going all tall, dark and silent on her.
“Thing’s a little small to cuddle on.” Patton looked at the chaise longue, his sarcasm giving her temper the kick it needed.
“I wouldn’t dream of cuddling with you.” She smiled sweetly.
He crossed his arms over his chest. “What’s got you fired up?”
“Fired up?” She slid on her heels. “Lots. One, I broke my don’t-jump-into-bed-with-old-one-night-stands rule. The sex is nice, but what’s the point? And two, my best friend is engaged to some guy she barely knows. One thing isn’t that big a deal. The other is huge.”
“Bianca and Zach?”
She nodded. “I can tell you’re not into emoting and caring for people, and I get it. But the few people I do keep in my life matter. Bianca is number one. She’s making a mistake—”
“I agree.”
She glanced at him, trying not to get caught up in the fact that his shirt wasn’t buttoned up and a good portion of his chest was on display—teasing her. She swallowed. “About my assessment of your lack of emotions or the engagement?” She knew she was being catty but couldn’t seem to stop. It would be easier if he didn’t get to her the way he did.
His crooked grin was back. “The engagement.”
She paused. “Really?”
“They don’t know each other.” Patton nodded. “They have no business making a life-altering decision that will end up in catastrophe. And dragging their friends and family along for the ride.”