“Yo, Alex, you gotta watch Deeno do a keg stand. This asshole is a machine!”
I instantly recognize Holden's voice as we round the corner and enter the kitchen. Holden is just as much of a big brother to me as Alex is, and if I am being honest, I hate it. I look up at him and can't help but feel that familiar warmth spreading through me.
Holden's short blond hair is a mess around his head. It is sexy as hell, because it looks like he doesn’t give a damn.
I don't know if I am drawn to Holden because I’ve known him practically my whole life, or for the fact, besides Alex and my parents, he was the only other one that was there for me.
“Sky, this is Ryan and Max, my other two roommates.” Two beefy guys hold out their hands.
“Hey there. We heard a lot about you.” Ryan's ball cap is low on his head and his hazel eyes are bright and expressive.
“It's nice to finally meet you, Skylar.” Max grabs my hand that Ryan just released and grins down at me. He is also wearing a ball cap. In fact, they are both pretty much wearing the same thing: frat shirts and distressed jeans.
I can only imagine the embarrassing stories Alex might have told them during one of his drunken parties.
“Skylar.”
The sound of my name has this chill racing along my spine.
Holden.
His voice is deep, kind of scratchy, and always has my body reacting. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me in close. God, he smells incredible. “How about a beer?”
“Oh, hell no, Holden. You're not corrupting my little sister when she just walked in. Besides, she's only eighteen.”
I can't help but roll my eyes. “Give me a break, Alex. You were getting trashed in high school.” This has all the guys in the kitchen laughing loudly.
“That was different.”
I might give Alex a hard time, but I don’t want to drink anyway. “Maybe later, Holden. Thanks though.” He tightens his arm on my shoulder and looks down at me, his expression comforting. I can't help but feel that soft tingle of warmth start in my stomach and spread through my body. Standing this close to him, smelling his incredible cologne, and staring into whiskey colored eyes, I can't contain the spear of lust that shoots through me.
He brings his beer to his mouth and takes a long drink. The way his throat works as he swallows shouldn't make me feel desire. But it does, so intensely.
Something flickers in his eyes as we stare at each other, but all too soon he drops his arm from my shoulder and puts a fair amount of distance between us. I sigh. Yup, this is the story of my life. It doesn't matter though. I don't have room in my life for guys, especially not ones that are best friends with my brother.
I clear my throat and start wringing my hands in front of me. I don't like feeling uncomfortable around Holden. But that small "moment" I had with him and then his sudden shift in demeanor have me feeling exactly that.
“On second thought, I’ll take that beer.”