Explosive (The Black Opals) by Tori St. Claire Page A

challenge McTavish had inadvertently voiced. He choked the gut-reaction down and pretended to examine the label on his bottle. Could he convince her otherwise? Could he get her to remember what they’d been like together and let go of McTavish for just one night?
    Did he want to go down that road again? Let her in, as much as he demanded the same from her? Perhaps discover answers…
    Before he could find an appropriate response to McTavish’s statement, Alyssa ducked into the room. “About five minutes, guys.” She flashed them both a smile and disappeared once more.
    The momentary interruption soothed Jayce’s agitated emotions. Cold, realistic logic that he’d honed during his years as an emotionless Black Opal slid into place. He gave McTavish a short nod. “That’s not a game I want to play.” A smirk formed on his mouth, and he chuckled. In mock toast, he lifted his beer. “No offense, man. I’m sure beneath those fancy dress clothes you’re hot as hell.”
    The joke lightened the mood, and McTavish joined him in laughter. But despite his hearty chuckles, down deep inside, anguish pried at Jayce’s heart. The only woman who’d ever mattered a single damn shared everything with another man. It was clear Jayce no longer held a place in her life.

 
     
     
    N i n e
     
     
     
    B rice twirled a forkful of spaghetti against his plate then leaned over to take the bite. His gaze latched onto Alyssa as she laughed, her eyes only for Jayce. Sorrow pulled tight chains around his ribs. Not because her heart belonged to Jayce Honeycutt—no, it always had been his. But because she was too caught up in a nightmare she couldn’t let go of to run after the one thing she had never stopped wanting.
    Hell, the two of them were so into each other, they’d hardly spoken two words to him. And as for the chemistry arcing between them—a blind man could have carved it into an exquisite sculpture with a butter knife. The heat flaring between Alyssa and Jayce was enough to make Brice’s cock rise to attention.
    He set his fork down, his plate now empty, and picked up his drink. The only thing that made him remotely uncomfortable was the undeniable fact that, despite everything separating them, Alyssa was and always had been Jayce’s girl. It felt somehow wrong to be a party to what would, inevitably, happen tonight.
    And yet…he couldn’t turn his back on Alyssa.
    Sliding his chair back, he scooped up his plate and rose. “I’ll meet you guys in the family room when you’re finished.”
    Alyssa turned wide, brown eyes on him, a touch of shame registering in the pinkening of her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Brice. We were just reminiscing.”
    He chuckled and flashed a smile he hoped would soothe. “You’re fine. I’m just finished.” He indicated his empty plate by lifting it a fraction. “Finish up.” His gaze shifted to Jayce. “If you’re up to it, I’ll pop in a movie.”
    Jayce nodded, but the hungry glint in his eyes indicated a movie was the last thing on his mind. A look Brice knew by heart; it had always crept in when his best friend spent more than twenty minutes around Alyssa.
    Chuckling to himself, Brice left the pair alone and retreated into the kitchen where he rinsed his plate and tucked it into the dishwasher. As he straightened, he looked out the window into their manicured back lawn. The moon rose on the horizon, filtering light between thick, overhanging tree limbs. A car’s red taillights glinted beyond the boundary bushes as it eased down the winding street. He could just make out the song of crickets over the purr of the passing engine.
    Pity that Alyssa had vetoed the gazebo he’d suggested putting in last year. Tonight would be the perfect night to enjoy the mountain breeze. But she’d said there were too many trees, she’d never use it, and he couldn’t fault her fears.
    As he turned away, he caught the movement of a shadow in the corner of his eye. Alarm bristled through him. He