Why did that settle in Avalyn’s stomach like a load of bricks?
“It’s great to know you’re not interested,” Britney said.
“Not interested in what?” a deep voice said much too close to Avalyn.
She whirled to face the man of her every dream. Her tongue stopped working as she studied him in that perfectly cut navy-blue tux.
“You,” Britney said. With a deep and throaty laugh, she released Avalyn’s arm and put her hand on Bridger’s chest.
Bridger glanced from Britney to Avalyn. “Why wouldn’t you be interested in me?” His dark eyes bored into her, simultaneously offering a challenge and looking like a little boy who’d been hurt by a bully.
Avalyn still couldn’t speak.
Britney laughed again. “She’s the only one who’s not, you stud, you.”
Avalyn’s eyes narrowed and jealousy rippled through her. No. She couldn’t be taken down by petty thoughts like this. Bridger was an annoying little brother who she would never be compatible with, and she’d just given Britney permission to pursue him. “You’ve got him all to yourself, my beautiful friend. Bye.” She forced a smile, which only Britney returned, and spun away. Striding through the sand in heels was no easy feat, but she plowed on.
A hand wrapped around her waist, lifting her clean off her feet. She glanced up, and again Bridger Hawk was much too close for comfort. His subtle musky cologne infiltrated her senses and she wanted to push him away, but she was rendered helpless as he carried her to the steps, then set her on her feet. When he released his grip on her, she could still feel the impression of his warm palm on her waist.
“Looked like you were struggling,” Bridger murmured, his gaze dark and broody as he stared down at her.
“Thanks,” Avalyn murmured, much too breathlessly.Be strong, be strong. “Where’s Britney?”
Bridger inclined his head. “Emmett helped me out.”
“Why would you need him to help you out? Go have fun with your swimsuit model.” Avalyn felt guilty as she said that. Britney was a nice person, and Avalyn would hate to be stereotyped like that.
Bridger leaned closer to her. “Why wouldn’t you be interested in me?” He repeated the question from earlier.
Avalyn pushed out a breath, folding her arms across her chest. “You and I are never going to happen, Bridger.” Why was he pursuing her so hard? They were family friends and she didn’t want things to be awkward between them. She remembered those kisses from yesterday morning. Okay, too late on things not becoming awkward. Why had she allowed herself to respond to him like that?
Because he’s irresistible, a little voice argued back.
“Why not?” he asked.
She rolled her eyes, praying for strength and the wisdom to explain so he would never try to kiss her again. If he did, she’d be sunk. “We’re polar opposites, Bridge. You’re a playboy who every woman adores. You don’t take life seriously.” The fact that he was crazy brave and could die at any moment while performing his stunts should be another reason to stay far away from him. “My life is dedicated to serious causes, helping the children of the world.”
“I donate to your causes,” he said.
“Throwing money at a cause is vastly different from living in the trenches and dedicating every spare hour of the day to it.” She blinked at his hurt expression. What was this? She wasn’t a guilt-ridden person, but she also didn’t like to be the holier-than-thou type of person either. She’d made her choices for her life. She doubted Bridger could even understand the hours and days spent in primitive conditions helping and loving children. Her life was only occasionally glamorous and in the spotlight like Bridger’s. It didn’t mean that Bridger’s path was wrong; it just meant their paths couldn’t coincide. “Thank you for donating. It makes a huge difference.”
“But not enough of a difference,” he murmured.
“To what?” Just like that, she was caught up in his gaze again. Why did he have to look at her like she was his whole world? She knew it was a lie, just an act he’d perfected to reel women in.
“To win your heart.” His gaze pinned her in place as other wedding guests streamed around them on the stairs, heading up to the patio where the wedding breakfast was being held.
Avalyn backed away, clenching her hands together tightly. “You don’t want my heart,” she muttered.
“I want all of you, Ava.” His beautiful brown eyes were framed by long lashes and dark brows, and right now they were studying her like she could make or break his life.
Avalyn’s breath caught. She couldn’t stay strong for one more second with him looking at her like that. Forget social protocol. She needed to get away, right now. She spun and hurried up the stairs.
A tinkling voice piped up from behind her. “There you are. Where are we sitting for breakfast?”
Britney. She could have Bridger. Britney was beautiful and kind, and Bridger would have a great time being around her. Britney had said she wanted to be his flavor of the week. Why that made Avalyn sick to her stomach was beyond her, but at least she didn’t need to warn Britney that Bridger would move on to another woman tomorrow.
Avalyn strode toward the line forming to greet Creed and Kiera. She’d express her joy for them and get out of here, away from the pull Bridger Hawk produced every single moment he was around her. If she got far away from him, maybe she could think like a mature, accomplished woman and not a hormone-filled teenage girl.