Crazy for Your Love (The Boys of Jackson Harbor #5)(11)

“Is he okay?”

Carter pinches the bridge of his nose. “Yeah. Doped up on pain meds at the moment. Lucky as fuck, if I’m honest, but he’ll be okay.”

“Good. That’s my unit, so let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

“Thanks.” He takes a breath. “What was Shay doing here?”

“You know, trying to get the scoop on what happened between us last night and threatening to do me bodily harm if I break your heart.”

He grunts. “I thought it was your brothers who were supposed to threaten me.”

“I don’t have any brothers, so I guess you lucked out.”

He shrugs, as if he wouldn’t mind, or maybe he’s distracted. He seems . . . off. “Regardless, I’m sorry she’s butting in. I’ll talk to her.”

I wave a hand. “She’s my best friend. I’d be worried if she wasn’t trying to pry the details out of me.” I wince, realizing we’ve landed right on the conversation I was hoping to put off until . . . never. “Not that I admitted anything, but the hickey you left behind probably did the confessing for me.”

He squeezes the back of his neck and grimaces. Awkwardness threatens to creep back into the room.

Now’s as good a time as any. “About last night,” I say, at the same time as he says, “I’m sorry if things moved too fast.”

I blow out a long breath. “It’s not that, Carter. It’s . . . you’re my friend.”

He takes a seat at the table. “And you’re mine. I’m not interested in changing that.” His eyes wrinkle at the corners, and he laughs, some of that uncharacteristic tension leaving his shoulders. “But if those panties are supposed to keep me from thinking about last night, I have to tell you, they’re failing spectacularly.”

When that self-assured gaze of his dips again, I remember I’m not wearing pants. Sleep must still have ahold of my brain for me to forget that quickly. I yank my robe closed and tie it tight, embarrassment licking flames up my neck and into my cheeks.

His gaze lingers below my waist for a beat, as if he can see right through the terrycloth. “Should’ve kept my mouth shut.”

“So you could stare at my crotch over coffee? That’s mature.”

“Never claimed to be.” He winks at me. “Are we really going to pretend that what happened last night could happen between two friends who aren’t attracted to each other?”

I snort. “I’m plenty attracted to you.”

“Wow.” He grins.

“What?”

“You surprised me, that’s all.”

“Come on.” I take the seat across from him. “You have enough of an ego to know you’re attractive. Enough to know I find you attractive.”

He shakes his head. “Oh, I know you do.” Cocky sonofabitch. “It’s not that. It’s just . . . I didn’t expect you to admit it.”

“What’s the point in denying it now?”

His gaze drops to my mouth, and I’m there all over again—in the office, pressed against the wall, his mouth at my ear. Would it be so bad to have a repeat performance before we have this conversation? If the damage has been done, is it much worse if I drag him into my bedroom to finish what we started before we officially declare it a mistake and say never again?

I swallow. Be strong, Teagan. “But we’re just friends. Regardless of that attraction. Last night was an anomaly and never would have happened if we hadn’t been . . . pretending.”

He scratches his stubble. “So you hadn’t thought about it before I kissed you onstage? Not once?”

“I didn’t say that. I’m saying I’m not going to think about it again.”

His grin widens. “I’m gonna call bullshit on that.”

“What? Why?”

“You’re thinking about it as much as I am. I can see it in your eyes and your pink cheeks . . .” His gaze trails over my face, and his voice softens. “And the way you’re looking at me.”

“Fine. I’m thinking about it, but that doesn’t mean I want it.”

Another smirk. “Sure. If you say so.”

I growl. “Okay, so I want to do it again.” And more. As soon as possible, please. “But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.” I fold my arms and shoot him my best scowl. “It would be really helpful if you’d stop looking all hot and self-assured. I’m trying really hard not to let my hoo-ha call the shots right now.”

He coughs and raises a hand, one brow arched. “Can I be team hoo-ha?”

I can’t believe I just used Ellie’s favorite word for her female anatomy. My friends are a terrible influence. Or maybe I can’t think straight in Carter’s presence now that I know what it’s like to have him—

I rub my temples, trying to stop that line of thinking. “Carter, I’m serious.”

He leans back in his chair. “So am I.”

Panic starts to claw at me, like growing points of pressure on my ribcage. What if I screwed up everything last night? What if this becomes a thing between us, and we can never go back to how we were?

My thoughts must be written all over my face, because his grin falls away. He exhales heavily and ducks his head. “Can I be completely honest with you?”