Coldhearted Boss

“You want another drink?” Tanner asks.

I shake my head tightly and then bolt right back to the safety of my chair.

I want Ethan to talk to me. I want his eyes to meet mine so I can see if he’s feeling what I’m feeling. Maybe I’ve had one too many drinks or maybe I should take another dip in the water. Or maybe the ache I feel can’t be washed away with a quick swim.

After they fire up the grill to start dinner, Jace and Brody start a small campfire in the center of our circle. As the sun starts to set, everyone carries their drinks over, and I’m so desperate for Ethan to claim the seat beside mine. My body is practically humming with nervous energy at the idea that he might, but he sits directly across from me instead. Camille is quick to snatch the chair next to him. They’ve been thick as thieves all day, and I overheard Liv betting Brody they’d make things official before the weekend was up.

“I’ve never seen him act like this around anyone,” Liv whispered, not realizing I could hear her.

Now, I wonder if she was right, if Ethan will soon be off the market.

It’s no surprise my stomach protests every sip of my drink.

“You okay?” Tanner asks from the chair on my left—the one he dragged from camp so we’d each have one.

I smile. “Yeah, just tired.”

He frowns, not quite buying it. Then he slings his arm across the back of my chair and I feel everyone’s eyes on us, Isla’s most of all. I hate that Tanner dragged me into this game of his and suddenly, I’m done playing. I set down my drink and shoot to my feet. Everyone looks up, waiting for me to say something, and I nod toward the lake’s edge.

“Going to cool off.”

Tanner doesn’t follow me, which is for the best. I’ve been pretending all day and it feels nice to just stand here, looking out at the dark water and wondering where the hell I go from here.

“You know, it’s interesting seeing it firsthand,” a deep voice says behind me.

I’m so shocked by the sound of it that it takes me a moment to realize I’m supposed to respond.

“Seeing what?”

“The way men fall at your feet,” Ethan replies, stepping up until his shoulder brushes mine. I go perfectly still, scared he’ll move and cut off the contact.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I know you have no interest in Tanner, so what’s your goal?”

His tone isn’t as steely as usual. In fact, it nearly sounds drugged with desire.

I keep my gaze trained on the water while his eyes drag down my profile.

“How do you know I have no interest in him?” I ask, dredging up what little energy I have left for verbal swordplay. “Maybe Tanner’s just the guy for me, sunny and happy all the time.”

He laughs mockingly, finishing his lazy perusal of my body before he flicks his attention back to my face. “And yet you’ve seemed bored all day.” I turn to walk away and his hand wraps around my elbow, keeping me near him. “I only meant it’s obvious you and Tanner aren’t going anywhere. Not only is he in love with my sister, you’re interested in someone else as well.”

“Oh really?”

His hand loosens enough that it feels more like a caress than anything else. His touch is hot. Searing. His thumb drags slowly down the inside of my forearm, inching toward my wrist.

I stand there with my head tipped back and my icy gaze frozen on his, waiting for a continued attack, waiting for the shots to be fired so I can pretend they’ve missed their mark and carry on with my day as best as possible.

But then he steps closer and his thigh hits mine. My breasts brush against his chest and only my thin swimsuit separates our skin. I gather a deep breath.

“You asked me the other day if I was tired,” he says, using his other hand to lift my chin, bringing our faces closer. “Do you remember that?”

I say nothing. In fact, I don’t even move, so he continues.

“You wondered what it would be like if we put our weapons down. At the time, you mentioned friendship, which is why I rebuffed your offer. Friendship is for someone like Tanner, someone who is willing to sit around for two years and wait for the person he loves to make up her damn mind. Unfortunately, I don’t have Tanner’s patience. So again, you asked me if I was tired…” His sultry gaze is narrowed on my mouth as he says, “I’m fucking exhausted, so no more games. No more pretending I don’t love the way you look in this red bathing suit. No more pretending I don’t hunt for you every time you enter a room. No more pretending your wit and smart mouth aren’t the perfect match for mine.”