Loner by Harloe Rae Page 0,32
devious chuckle drips off his lips. “I’ve seen it all, wildcat. No reason to hide.”
I quirk a brow at the nickname, not entirely sure it’s warranted. The bite mark where his shoulder meets his neck says otherwise. Guess I’m not the only one with lingering evidence. “It’s morning.”
He glances at the window, catching the glowing outline that’s framing the blinds. “So it is.”
I tuck some tangled hair behind my ear. “I’m surprised you stayed.”
“You wore me out. No way was I getting on my bike after all that.” His soft expression oozes charm I’m certain he’s not aware makes him exactly my type. I could easily fall for him and reap the inevitable consequence for being reckless. Getting attached isn’t an option. I drop my gaze from the enchanting possibilities. My heart can’t withstand another fracture.
“I need to shower.”
“That almost sounds like an invitation,” he purrs.
“It’s not.”
He lets another rusty chuckle loose. The gritty sound tickles my exposed nerves. I curl my toes into the blanket so I don’t do something reckless, like straddle his face.
“Damn, are you always this snarky?”
I bristle at his implication. “No, this is only reserved for those deserving.”
He grunts. “I feel special.”
“You shouldn’t.”
He straightens, fixing me with a glare meant to intimidate. “Fuck, Keegan. What’s your deal?”
I grind my molars. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
Crawford shakes his head. “Try again. Even I know ‘fine’ does not mean fine.”
I open my mouth with a snappy retort, but think better of it. This is going nowhere, just as planned. “All right, whatever. Thanks for the, uh…”
“Sex?”
“Mh-hmm, exactly. It was great.”
He hooks a brow up at me. “Maybe we’ll do this again sometime.”
“It’s probably best if we don’t.”
A furrow lines his forehead. “Oh?”
“This was…fun. But it’s over, and we can’t let it happen again. I don’t want to give Millie another reason to get attached.”
“Ouch, Kee.”
I twist my lips to one side. “Now I’m Kee?”
A single shoulder lifts. “I’m good at dishing out nicknames. Who knew?”
“Not me, but that’s not surprising.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” His tone clangs with the echo of going on the defense, but I ignore it.
“You’re one rung above a total stranger. I know next to nothing about you.”
“Why give anything away when I get nothing in return?”
I toss my hands up. “And that’s fine. I didn’t ask for details. We aren’t dating.”
“Thank fuck for that.”
A scream tickles the back of my throat. “But you’re still lying in my bed.”
“You’re kicking me out?” His expression is stony, cut marble and granite.
“This is my house.”
“Didn’t realize my welcome was worn out.”
I repeat my mantra. Remaining indifferent is vital. “One night, remember?”
“Trust me, I didn’t forget.”
“So, what’s the issue?”
“You’re trying to get rid of me.” He slaps a palm to his chest.
“Because this is what we agreed to. I can’t do a casual fling, Ford.”
“Never mentioned that.”
“Fine, hooking up, whatever you want to call it. I’m not looking to get involved with anyone, especially for random sex. I have Millie to think about. Things get messy.”
“I’m a sloppy loose end?”
“No, that’s why we tie it up right now.”
“Right, got it.” He rolls out of bed, stalking to his lump of clothes.
I swing my legs out from under the covers. “Am I the bad guy here?”
He widens his stance, naked and totally unashamed. “Nah, we’re square. Give and take. We can share the blame.”
A frosty chill zips through me when my feet land on the cold floor. “I’m confused. Why are you mad? I thought we had—”
“And that’s your problem. Assumptions ruin the best of intentions.”
“Do you regret this?” I motion between us.
He barely spares me a glance. “I do now.”
Within seconds, I can feel my self-preservation kick in. Fight or flight? I stand and snatch a discarded shirt, wrenching it over my head. The thin material does little to hide my modesty but anything is better than standing completely nude. Woodsy smoke and pine swirl around me, but the heady aroma is chased away by a cloud of red. “Nice to see you again, asshole. I was beginning to wonder when those true colors would bleed through.”
Crawford mocks a wince and clutches one of his ridiculously toned pecs. “Oh, fuck. That would hurt if I cared.”
Mere hours ago, this man was responsible for my endless loop of pleasure. How did we flip upside down so fast? The memories I was planning to use are already tarnishing. Those smudges spread the steeper his scowl dips. I should’ve known, of course. This is a lesson I’ve learned enough to truly