but you’re interrupting our girl time.”
“Yeah, leave us alone so we can talk about you!”
Vinn’s granite-like features softened. He pinched my chin and stood. As soon as he rounded the corner, Queenie clutched her chest and fell into the couch.
“You two are so cute it breaks me. The way he looks at you makes me melt.” She flattened her dark curls and burst with a nervous giggle. “You’re having a kid. Are you freaking out?”
“A little.” I would be if it were real. “It’s so far ahead I’m putting it on the back burner. Maybe there’s something I can do about James. My brother’s professional network is robust. Hell, I’ll ask Vinn.”
Queenie lifted her head, bleary-eyed. Her mouth twitched. “Well, I should get going.”
“You sure?”
She nodded. “We’re searching the parks today. Just in case, you know.”
I pulled her into a hug. “Keep a positive attitude. No sense driving yourself crazy until he’s found.”
“I’m trying,” she whimpered. “Thanks for listening.”
“Of course.”
We exchanged goodbyes, and she headed out the door. I’d decided before I’d slid the deadbolt. I didn’t like asking Vinn for favors, but I’d put my pride aside for Queenie.
Vinn was working out in the gym. He’d changed into shorts and a tank top. He stood in front of a wall-to-wall mirror, lifting an Olympic barbell. His features were so perfect and symmetrical that any more would’ve made him too beautiful for a man. Dark hair stuck to his handsome, square face. He jerked it to his shoulders and swung down, releasing the bar. He picked it off the ground and repeated the exercise.
The plates banged into the rubber mat.
Vinn cupped his shoulder and let out a raw hiss, massaging the muscle surrounding the gunshot wound from a year ago.
My feet smacked the floor as I rushed toward him. “You okay?”
Vinn gave me a narrowed glance. “I’m fine.”
His frosty tone should’ve sent me running. Something disturbing had replaced his smolder, and it cautioned me to stay away, but I hated leaving him alone.
I approached, lungs filling with the scent of iron and his heady musk. “I didn’t realize it still hurt you.”
“It doesn’t.”
Like hell.
Sweat glistened on his forehead. His nostrils flared as a timer beeped from his phone. He closed it and wiped his rippling brow.
“You don’t have to pretend. You can be vulnerable with me.” I joined him on the bench, fidgeting with my shirt. “I’m always here to listen.”
“Not the talkative type.”
He patted my knee and lurched upright, then snapped the safety clips off the barbell. He eased the Olympic plates while lifting the bar. His bicep trembled, and a bang erupted through the room as it landed.
“Fuck.”
I stood. “I’ll get ice.”
“Don’t bother.” Vinn sighed, dropping onto the mat. “Fuck.”
“Would a massage help?”
He stared into the mirror, silent. His arm fell in his lap as he rested against exercise equipment, his eyes shut.
I rolled my hand over his shoulder. He tensed but didn’t throw me off. I slowly dug in. Vinn released a ragged hiss.
I paused, my heart pounding.
“Don’t stop,” he whispered. “Harder.”
I did my best to work out the rock-hard knot, but it was like massaging stone. I sank into him. His mouth twisted, beads of sweat rolling down his neck.
“Am I hurting you?”
“No, it’s good.” Vinn leaned into me, sighing. “I used to have a physical therapist do this, but I got sick of a dude touching me every week.”
“You’re ridiculous.” I took a deep breath and held it in. “So when you declared yourself healed six months after the shooting, that was total bullshit?”
“I keep everyone in the dark and oblivious.”
“Why?”
“I see no point in letting people in.”
“You should’ve texted me,” I growled. “I could’ve helped you.”
Vinn’s broad face split with a smile that tickled my cheeks. “Hey, Li. Want to come to my place? I could use a back rub. Your brother would’ve loved that.”
“Like I’d tell him.”
He made a deep sound. “Tempting, but I’m nobody’s dirty secret, and neither are you.”
“I would’ve done anything for you.”
My insides clenched at the blunder. I was doing it again. Pouring out my feelings would get me hurt. I throttled the current zipping through me.
Vinn’s gaze riveted on my face. My skin tingled as he searched my eyes. He turned, hand cupping my cheek. Warmth bloomed inside me, betraying my resolve. My attraction to Vinn had nothing to do with logic. It screamed for me to take the leap.
Our lips touched.
He melted into me with gentle strokes. I slackened as he lulled me into a trance. Ecstasy