Chapter 42
FORTY-TWO
SAVANNAH
Harley and I silently stare at each other from opposite sides of the room as Logan grabs his things and heads out. He doesn’t say a word as he leaves and closes the door behind him, the traitor.
I understand why he’s doing what he is, since I know for a fact he has absolutely nowhere to be, but it’s still irritating.
He wants us to talk things out, but I honestly don’t think that’s a good idea.
He’s been telling me for months—hell, almost years at this point—that I should just tell Harley the truth and that everything will work out, and maybe he’s right, but that doesn’t make it easy.
He takes a step forward and grabs his hoodie by the neck before pulling it over his head, taking his undershirt with it and leaving me to ogle his bare chest. It hits me then that this is the first time I’ve seen him without the shirt, and good god, is it a sight.
Whenever we’ve been together, it’s always been quick and in public, so I’ve never had a chance to look at him. Certainly not like this. His smooth, tanned skin begs me to run my fingers along it and explore the grooves in his abs.
Because, of course, the guy has a six-pack.
Why does he have to be so good to look at? Things would be a hell of a lot easier if he wasn’t.
He’s silent as he heads to the corner of the room and starts wrapping his hands with tape, leaving me to stare at his back, and Christ, how is his back so sexy?
Is that a thing I just didn’t know about? Never in my life did I think I would find a back so attractive, yet here we are.
“So, how long have you been sparring with Logan?” he asks, finally breaking the silence, and I have to swallow the lump in my throat. Is he mad about mine and Logan’s friendship? I’ve always tried my best to hide it, not wanting to come between the two of them.
When I don’t answer, he turns to look at me over his shoulder and raises a brow.
I clear my throat. “Since freshman year.”
His brows rise, his mouth making an O shape, and I know I’ve surprised him. “I see,” he murmurs and heads toward me, where I stand on the mats. My hands are at my sides, and I shift from foot to foot, uncomfortable with the entire thing.
I can’t take my eyes off him as he approaches, and there’s something unfamiliar in his eyes. He’s not looking at me with hatred, ire, or annoyance. His expression is completely open, almost vulnerable,
“If you’ve been training with Logan since freshman year, then why did you never use any of the moves he taught you on me?”
Why did I never...?
I blink, my breath catching as my brain tries to fight to catch up.
“Why would I?” I whisper, my heart almost beating out of my chest.
Does he really think the act I put on was real, and that I didn’t want it to happen?
“I know a part of you always wanted what we did,” he starts, his eyes darting to the side as he swallows. “But sometimes I wonder if I was just seeing what I wanted to see. So, was I? Was that why you didn’t fight back? Or did I just not give you the chance?”
Oh, Harley…
Clearly, finding me in that alley has made him question things, and no matter how much he hates me, he’d never want to purposely force me into anything. So, taking a deep breath, I do the one thing I know will make him understand that he never took me against his will.
I show him.
I surge forward and throw a punch to his gut.
He goes to block me, but he’s seconds too slow.
I make sure not to let the punch have too much force behind it, but it still removes the air from his lungs, and he bends over to catch his breath.
Rather than getting pissed, he straightens, a wide grin on his face.
He tilts his head from side to side and shakes out his body. “Alright, little devil. Let’s do this.”
He charges toward me, his hands coming out to grab my waist, but I sidestep at the last minute. The sudden change in move has him stumbling, and he fights to right himself before spinning around to face me. He huffs, but he still doesn’t get mad. No, he’s enjoying this as much as I am.
We keep going, neither of us ever getting the better of the other, until I change tactics and decide to just go for it.
I let him get his arms around me, thinking he’s finally gotten the better of me, and that’s when I strike.
I kick out my leg, making him lose his balance, so we both go tumbling to the mats.
He flips us over at the last second, taking the brunt of our weight.
He tries to shove me off him, but I tighten my legs around his hips and grab his arms, pinning them above his head so he can’t move.
“If I wanted to fight you, I would.”
His breathing is as heavy as mine, his eyes dark. His tongue peeks out of his mouth and swipes across his lower lip, making heat gather in my gut.
Fuck, why is that so hot?
I shift, and it’s only then that I realize he’s hard beneath me. I let go of his hands, but just as I’m about to stand, his hands grab my hips, holding me in place before his head surges up and his mouth meets mine.