Free Holding Her Close (Bits and Bytes, Book 0) (Bits & Bytes) by Allyson Lindt

slammed his fist into the steering wheel. “Do you not understand the concept of hostile takeover? I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn’t plan for the woman I thought I was going to marry to dump me in front of the entire internet. I didn’t want one of our biggest competitors to swoop in and steal our livelihood out from under us. “
    “ And now that it’s happened you just give up?” The alcoholic buzz was gone now. Righteous indignation on Scott’s behalf had taken its place. This was why she didn’t want to get involved with Zach, or any other asshole who thought he could rule the world with the right smile. She clung to the reminder.
    He shot a glare at her, anger flashing in his steel eyes, before turning his attention back to the road. “I’m not 'giving up'. We can’t do anything else there. At least if we take the offer on the table we can get on with our lives. If Scott realized that, if you stopped feeding his fucking delusions, then maybe he could focus on what comes next instead of clinging to something he can’t have.”
    Zach pulled the car into her apartment parking lot. He leaned over, face hovering near hers. “If you’re the one feeding him these ideas, keep in mind how severely it fucks with what little chance we have to recover. I keep bringing up the past because your track record when it comes to emotional decisions sucks. If you hurt Scott, I'll never forgive you.”
    “ Oh no. Because you and I such great friends now.” It took every ounce of sobriety she could grasp to ignore how close he was. To ignore the faint smell of soap, spearmint, and smoke that triggered her fantasies and made her heart flutter. To lie to his face. How had this turned so ugly? Again.
    Zach gave her a cold smile. He shut off the engine and handed her the keys. His voice was low. “I’ve moved on, but forgetting would be stupid. Good night, martyr.”
    She kept her back straight and her gait even as she walked toward her apartment. The conversation devoured her, and every replayed snippet pissed her off again. What was worse was some of the anger was directed at her. Was he right? Was she making things worse for Scott by being supportive?
    No. Zach just didn’t want to hear any opinion that disagreed with his own. It had nothing to do with her or her own prejudices or insecurities. Probably.

CHAPTER EIGHT
     
    Rae tossed her controller on the coffee table, a loud clatter filling the living room, and flung her hands in the air. “Pwned!”
    The final score blinked back from the large screen TV, taunting and backing up her exclamation. She'd beaten Scott at a video game, she couldn't believe it. Sure, it was Tetris, but still. It was the principle of things.
    “ Not,” Scott countered.
    “ Yuh-huh.” She giggled. “Guess I'm not a noob after all, noob.”
    “ Oh yeah?” Scott lunged forward, tickling her.
    “ Ack!” Her giggles squealed through the condo. She fell back on the couch, leather creaking beneath her as she tried to get away. Her shirt slid up her stomach, exposing her flesh the more she resisted. His palms were warm against her skin. The more she squirmed under him, the more her body reacted. She paused, aware of how close he was.
    Damn he was good looking. But he wasn’t Zach. What was she thinking? Scott was perfect. The kind of guy she should be with instead of one who used excuses like closure to get laid.
    She blinked, but didn't pull away. This was enticing, perfect even. So why didn’t it make her pulse race? She pushed forward anyway. Her bottom lip caught between her teeth, the corner of her mouth still tugged up in a teasing smile. “Meanie.”
    Scott rested his forehead against hers. “Pay back's a bitch.” His hands slid under her shirt, fingers lightly brushing her skin as he resumed the teasing torture.
    “ Oh, you asshole.” Her protest was broken up by laughter. She squirmed, but didn't try to get away. The soft musk of his body wash left her lightheaded.
    A