“Quinn doesn’t have ground-level intel.” Her steely gaze softens. “Go ahead and get some play if that’s what you’re after, just know that’s all he’s good for.”
My pulse taps low and heavy into my belly. “He’s a player?”
She squints one eye shut, thinking. “More like emotionally unavailable.”
“Oh.” That doesn’t sound too terrible. “So am I though.” At least right now.We’re talking about rebound sex here, Quinn pointed out. Tonight, I’m just buzzed enough to ignore my insecurities and the fact that just a week ago I was convinced Linden was a jackass. What would rebound sex with Linden be like? Freeing? Fun? Would I hate myself in the morning?
Annaleise tucks a stray curl behind my ear. “Just be careful, okay?”
I give her a brave smile. “I’ve got this.”
Do I?
When we return, Linden is in a group by the food table, one hand wrapped around the cup he’s been nursing all night and the other in his back pocket. The instant I step into the light of the room, his gaze lifts to mine.
My belly flips.
I swallow hard and paste on a confident smile—the one that soothes stressed passengers or reassures them during bouts of unexpected turbulence.
“You are welcome to stay here,” Annaleise says in a low tone. “The party will probably wind down in a few hours.”
“I think we’ll head home pretty soon,” I tell her as I follow her into the kitchen.
With a nod, Annaleise slips into the throng while I swing over to the sink. A drink of water before the trip home sounds like a solid plan.
“Looks like you could use some help.”
I glance up. It’s the guy who had a staring contest with Linden earlier. His friend is standing next to him laughing with two women who look familiar, though I can’t place them.
“Sure, thanks.”
The guy fills a cup of water and hands it to me. I lean my butt against the counter so I can guzzle it.
“What’s your name, doll?” he asks when I pause for a breath.
The tiny hairs on the backs of my arms wake up.Doll?
Linden appears out of nowhere. It’s so loud and crowded in the kitchen I didn’t even see him coming. Though he doesn’t touch me, I feel the charge in the space that separates us. And coupled with the sudden chill in the air, I’m not sure if I should lean closer to him or take a giant, self-preserving step back.
Linden says nothing, but the guy’s smile turns hard. “That new therapy you’ve been trying must be working cuz wow, you made it out of the house. Or did they change your meds?”
Uh oh.
“Didn’t you hear?” Linden says. “I started sacrificing assholes during the full moon. It’s worked wonders.”
With a fake laugh, the guy swings his hand up, like he’s going to grab Linden’s shoulder. “Too bad it causes erectile dysfu?—”
Linden locks onto the guy’s wrist with one hand and bracesthe other off his bicep, putting his arm in what looks like a potentially bone-breaking position in less time than it took me to blink.
“Don’t,” Linden warns. His eyes aren’t angry, but they’re intense and serious, his forearm muscles flexed. Ready.
I don’t know what’s going on here but it’s clear if these two don’t untangle their horns, one or both of them is going to get hurt. It’ll start with Linden breaking this guy’s arm and I don’t think it will stop there.
The other guy shakes off Linden’s hold and brushes past us.
When he’s out of sight, only then does Linden turn to me with a grimace. “Sorry.”
“You okay?” I tuck my crutches into place and push off the counter.
