Then, before I can protest or pull away, he leans down and his lips crush against mine.

There are so many things I should do in that moment. Logic and morals say I should run, I should shove his chest and scream at him to stop, I should wrench my mouth from his and order him to leave. They’re all the right things to do. It’s all what people would expect me to do.

But life isn’t always what people expect.

He’s married. I’m taken. There are so many reasons why this is wrong.

But I can’t push him away. My mind is screaming at me to, but my heart has other ideas. My knees become weak as his fingers tighten on the back of my head and his mouth opens, coaxing mine to do the same. It does. I part my lips and I take him, all of him. His tongue slides into my mouth and dances with mine. My hands go to his chest and I scrunch his shirt into my fists, holding him as tightly as I can. And we just kiss. We kiss long and we kiss hard.

Then he pulls back, his eyes frantic.

“Shit,” he rasps. “Shit.”

I’m speechless, my lips are swollen, my body is alive and I can’t just snap back into reality. It’s okay though, because I don’t need to. He puts me right back in my place when he turns his eyes to me and I see the one thing I knew I would see in them. Regret.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Nate growls and then spins, charging out the door and into the night.

I can’t move. Even when I hear his car start and speed off down the street, I still can’t move.

What have I done?

CHAPTER 14

NATE

Consuming me.

Every fucking day that kiss consumes me.

Avery made me feel something I’ve not felt before, something powerful and strong.

It scares me. It fucking scares me.

~*~*~*~

AVERY

“Hey, Kel,” I say, watching as Kelly walks through my front door and places two bags on the counter.

“Hey Avery,” he says, turning to face me. “How you doin’?”

I shrug. “I’m all right. Happy to see you. To what do I owe this tremendous pleasure?”

He grins and it eases some of the pain in my heart. It’s been five days since Nate kissed me and I’ve not been able to think of anything else. I’ve held my phone in my hands, willing him to ring, willing myself to be strong enough to call him and admit to the mistake, to beg for our friendship back. Only I don’t know if there’s a friendship to be had—how can there be when it’s clear he’s felt the same things I’ve felt?

Those feelings are toxic.

“Wanted to invite you around tonight. Keanu is in town and I’m having a few friends over.”

“Keanu’s in town?” I gasp, unable to hide my smile.

I’ve been a bit of a fan of Keanu’s for a while now. I became a fan when I watched him surf along side Kelly—he’s extremely talented. Though he and Nate are brothers, they are so very different. Nate is your typical tall, dark and handsome. He’s breathtaking and stunning. Keanu is the opposite. He’s more like Kelly. He’s got this hair, I can’t explain it—it’s long, golden-blond, and naturally formed into dreadlocks, which seems awful but God, they look great on him. His eyes are the same green as Nate’s but they take on a different look in Keanu’s deep olive skin. He’s got a killer smile and a body to die for.

I personally prefer Nate’s look—there’s something about the dark, broody type. But Keanu has his fair share of attention. When the brothers are together it’s like a double dipper. You don’t know where to look, or who to drool over first. Nate is sweeter than Keanu, though. Keanu is one hundred percent alpha: he grunts and he charms—then he fucks. Nate, while still alpha and sexy as hell, has a funny, charismatic side that Keanu lacks.

“He is,” Kelly says. “You got a bit of a thing for surfer boys?”

I grin. “Only ones that start with a K . . .”

He starts laughing and I realize my stupidity. Keanu starts with a K, too.

“Good going.” He chuckles.

“I didn’t think that through.”

“So, are you goin’ to come?”

I nod, rubbing my arms. “Sure, why not?”

He studies me. “You look like shit. What’s wrong?”

I shake my head quickly. “Nothing, I’m just tired. I’ve been working and dancing . . .”

He narrows his eyes. “How long have we been friends, Avery?”

I sigh. “I know Kelly, but please . . . this problem is my own.”

“It doesn’t involve Nate, does it? Because he’s fuckin’ angry. He came over yesterday and smashed my window because he couldn’t move the sofa where he wanted it. He literally put his fist through the glass.”

Oh no.

“It’s,” I swallow, “it’s not about Nate.”

I’m lying.

I’ve taken the step in the direction where there’s no going back. I’ve told my best friend a lie and I can feel it in every part of my body. My heart is aching, my chest is clenching and my stomach is rolling. It’s wrong, I know it’s wrong, and that’s why I can’t do it—I can’t admit what’s really going on.

“You sure?” Kelly asks, studying my face.

“I’m sure, but I hope Nate is okay.”

He keeps his eyes on my face, studying me, watching for . . . I don’t know what he’s watching for.

“He’s having problems at home.”