It had been five years since I’d had my first and only boyfriend. I had been fifteen and thought it was special. Cody had said he loved me. I’d believed him. All that young love stuff was exciting. My oldest sister, Geneva, however, made sure I didn’t experience too much happiness, and it had ended almost as soon as it had begun. Cody was lucky that Geneva only wanted to hurt me. It could have all been so much worse for him.

“You’ve only dated one guy and that was five years ago,” he said this as if it explained everything.

“True, but I’ve not dated girls either during that time,” I reminded him.

He did that eyebrow scrunch that I knew so well.

“Heath, if I liked girls, I would hope that, by now, I would have managed to find a girlfriend. I’ve dated no one in five years. That doesn’t mean I don’t like guys.”

He was still frowning when I patted his arm. “I like men. I’m just not meant for relationships.”

My words seemed to open a new set of emotions in Heath as they exploded on his face. “Because of that asshole Cody?” he asked immediately. Of course, he’d remember his name. I thought Cody was forgotten by everyone in my life.

“No, not really. Sure, he showed me what could happen.” I didn’t add “and what would happen,” although I was thinking it. “I’m different.” Was all I said instead.

Heath’s frown faded, and he inhaled sharply then let out a short laugh. “Yeah, Cat, you’re definitely different.”

The door to his apartment swung open then, interrupting anything else he was going to say.

Rathe’s tall body filled the doorway. He was now shirtless, and the sight was something to behold. I turned my eyes from him quickly, not wanting him to think I was checking him out. There was no reason for him to have taken his shirt off other than to get attention, and he already had it in spades. I wouldn’t give him more.

“Margo’s locked herself in the bathroom and is banging on the door and can’t get out. Is there a key?” he asked.

“Shit,” Heath muttered then looked at me. “Text me when you get home safely,” he said.

I nodded. “Of course,” I assured him.

He looked like he wanted to say more, but Margo’s yelling could be heard out here now. He groaned and turned to go inside to save his sister. I didn’t glance back toward the apartment. Rathe was still there, and although he was nice to look at, I didn’t need to allow myself that kind of pleasure. It opened doors to things I had to keep closed. I didn’t have to look back at him to know he was watching me leave, which made not looking back even more difficult.