“You have nothing to worry about. I’m no poacher.”
My heart stops for two full seconds. Hayden is watching my reaction, and I can tell he’s been waiting to say this for hours. Maybe since we left the cave.
“What did you just say?”
“I would never overstep. Especially since he’s my brother.”
“Hyde told you?”
Hayden shakes his head, his grin huge. “Hyde would never talk. I had a feeling, based on the smile that hasn’t left his face since you two came back this morning.”
“You and your stupid feelings! It was just a kiss!” It streaks me that I’m even explaining myself. I smack him on the shoulder. “I can kiss whoever I want.”
Hayden’s hands come up in defense as he laughs. “Of course you can, but that’s beside the point. All I meant to say is that I’m not interested”—he gestures at the space between us—“so we’ll be fine here.”
In an elaborate display of nonchalance, he crosses his arms behind his head and leans back like he’s basking in the sun. The smug smile on his mouth makes my blood boil, but I’m determined to play this the right way.
I lean back too, pretending I’m as comfortable as can be in my clammy, smoky clothes. As the minutes drag by, I can tell Hayden is disappointed I didn’t react to his comment.
“I told you not to lie to me,” I say, after five full minutes have passed.
He peers at me. “When did I lie?”
“Just now. You said you’re not interested, but that’s not true. I’ve seen you watch me.”
“Can’t I look at you?”
“Of course you can. It’s just the way you look at me that’s telling.”
“And how is that?”
“You do this thing with your mouth.”
“I do a thing?”
“Yes. You pout.”
Hayden throws his head back and laughs. “I pout at you?”
“Yes. You do.”
It’s actually not a pout, but that’s the only word I can come up with. Occasionally, like just a short while ago, his lips relax in a very appealing, sultry way that is close to a pout, but not a pout.
“Well,” he says. “Don’t let my pout scare you. I promise you’re safe at my side. You and I would never work.”
“You just said that so I’d ask why.”
“You just said that because you’re avoiding asking why.”
“Fine. Why, Hayden? Why are you so sure we’d never work?”
“Aside from the reason I mentioned earlier?”
“Yes. Aside from that.”
“There’s no spark between us.”
I glare at him. Does this boy ever say anything direct? Does he never say what he actually means?
Turning my focus out over the hills, I consider the situation. He has done this on purpose, of course. To make me wonder if there might be a spark between us. The problem is that even though I see his trickery, I actually am wondering.
My heart is thumping, and I’m suddenly aware of just how close he is.
I have always found him attractive. Handsome in a grown, mature way. I’m not the only one who thinks so. I’ve heard women in the tribe talk about his smile on more than one occasion.
My move on plan didn’t work with Hyde. How could it, when I saw hope in his eyes? Hope that I didn’t feel myself? I won’t use someone else just to make myself feel better. I like Hyde too much. But Hayden?
I look at him, a little ripple of excitement moving through me as I find him watching me. In his eyes I don’t see hope. All I see is humor—and heat. And those soft-looking lips . . . I really would like to kiss him.
“There’s only one way to find out,” I say, before I can stop myself. “And you did offer to warm me up.”
Hayden’s eyes narrow slightly. “Brooke . . . you’re sure?”
“I’m sure.”
His hand comes up, and he runs his fingers along my cheek. I jump a little, but he doesn’t. His fingers are steady on my skin. Steady as they trace my neck and then run across my collarbone. His eyes are sensual and dark as they follow the path of his touch. His mouth relaxes, and there it is. That sultry pout.