Because he wasn’t afraid of rejection, not usually. But he realised in this tense, suspended moment of oh-fuck regret that he was terrified of being rejected by Abbie.

“You can deny it if you want,” she was saying, “but I’m not an idiot.” The word had bite. Her lips pressed tight together, she nodded as if reassuring herself. “I am an adult woman. I know what flirting is. I’m not imagining things.”

“I never said you were,” he replied softly. “I’d never say that, Abbie-girl.” I’d never fuck with your head. I’d never make you feel like a fool. Except maybe he already had.

At his words, something about her seemed to relax, just the tiniest bit. As if his honesty was the key to cooling her sudden ire. “Oh,” she said, and seemed suddenly at a loss.

Which only emphasised exactly how badly Will had messed up here. In the aftermath of her explosion, the magnitude of it really hit him.

He’d made Abbie doubt herself, hadn’t he?

He’d made her feel … played with.

He’d ignored her twin’s advice—ignored his own knowledge of her, and of the shit she’d been through with her husband—to carry out some cloak-and-dagger plan like she was a science experiment.

Well, fuck that. Fuck the fucking plan.

Will exhaled hard and propped his elbows on his knees, dropping his head onto his hands. “Shit,” he muttered.

“What are you doing?” Abbie demanded. She was always edgy when she was confused. Yet another thing he should’ve taken into account.

He should’ve taken her into account. That was the bottom line. But … “Honestly? I’ve never done this kind of thing before.”

“Well, that’s a lie,” she said. “I do see the headlines, you know. And don’t say it’s all made up, because Jase mentions things, too.”

Will frowned and looked up at her. She was still lovely in the pale morning light, even lovelier with that defiant frown and the fire in her gaze. “What are you talking about?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m talking about your marauding penis, William. I’m sure it’s very cold and lonely up here in the Highlands. But you better order yourself a Fleshlight because you ain’t warming that thing up in me.”

Will almost choked on his tongue. “Abbie!” Since when had the Farrell twins been this sex-obsessed?

“What? I know what you’re up to.” She scowled.

“No,” he said, straightening. “You don’t.” Was it his imagination, or did a flash of hope appear beneath her stony expression? Like the impression of a flash of lightning after you closed your eyes?