“I mean, I’m not… actually straight. I’m bi. But he’s not.”
“Ah, so is this really about this woman? Or do you want to fuck your best friend?”
“I think that’s, uh, beyond the scope of my question,” I managed to say, my voice strangled. “But thanks for your insight. I should probably go now.”
“No problem, Milo,” Aimee replied, sounding like she knew exactly the reaction she’d provoked. “Good luck with your content creation. And remember, clear communication is key—with both your potential third and with each other. Maybe he’s more open to it than you think.”
I ended the call with fumbling fingers, the silence in the barndominium suddenly deafening. I couldn’t look at Xavier. Couldn’t risk seeing disgust in his eyes.
“That was fun,” I said with false brightness, turning back to my bike and grabbing the first tool my hand touched.
Xavier was quiet for so long that I finally had to look up. He stood by the kitchenette, a beer in his hand, his expression unreadable.
“Why’d you call?” he asked finally.
I shrugged, aiming for casual. “Thought it would be funny. Content ideas, you know?”
He took a long pull from his beer, his eyes never leaving my face. “You record it?”
“What? No,” I said, confused. “Why would I record it?”
His voice was carefully neutral. “If it was for content, you would need to record it.”
“Oh.” I hadn’t thought of that. Clearly I needed to work on my excuses. “No, it was just... impulsive, I guess.”
Xavier nodded slowly, like he was processing something complex. “So that’s what you’re into? Threesomes where our dicks might touch?”
There was something in the way he asked it, a thread of tension beneath the casual words, that made my pulse pick up. Was he asking if I was into him? Or was I projecting my own confused thoughts onto a simple question?
“I don’t know,” I lied. “Never really thought about it before.”
“Hmm.” Xavier took another sip of his beer. Then, unexpectedly, the corner of his mouth quirked up. “Your face when she asked if you wanted to suck my dick, though.”
I nearly dropped the wrench I was holding. “I didn’t—she didn’t exactly phrase it like that.”
“Close enough.” He shrugged, his eyes glinting with something that might have been amusement or might have been something more dangerous. “You looked like you were about to pass out.”
“Yeah, well,” I mumbled, turning back to my bike to hide my burning face. “It was unexpected.” And I’d thought about sucking his dick more times than I wanted to admit. Not lately, but back when we were teenagers and my crush had been full-blown lust.
“For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t have punched you if you’d said yes. I know you’re bi, and it’s fine if you’re into sucking dick.” He was quiet for a moment, and I could feel his eyeson me, assessing. Then he added, almost casually, “The bookish brunette with the shampoo commercial hair. That’s who I’d fuck between us. If she was into us enough to give us a second glance.”
“What?”
“She looks innocent, but I bet she has a filthy fantasy life. I read a few of the books I saw her with.”
My head snapped up, but Xavier was already walking toward the stairs to the loft, his beer in one hand and his phone in the other. He didn’t look back, and I was left staring after his very nice ass as he climbed the stairs.
Chapter 5
June
I pushed open thedoor of Honeybee Books, my mind still tangled in the pages of “Four of Hearts,” and slammed directly into a wall of leather and masculine scent. The world tilted as I stumbled backward, my bag slipping from my shoulder, books tumbling to the sidewalk in a cascade of paper and embarrassment. I grabbed for something, anything to steady myself, and my fingers closed around warm leather, then warmer skin.
Strong hands gripped my elbows, anchoring me as I blinked up into a stunning pair of storm grey eyes surrounded by lashes that were just unfairly long. Dark slashing eyebrows pushed together above them as he frowned down at me.
“Whoa, you okay there?” A second man peeked around his friend, and I realized that I was talking to the bikers, andthe mysterious quiet one had removed his helmet. His face was devastatingly handsome, and up-close Milo had a face that belonged in a K-Drama, all perfect skin, bright eyes, and a smile that dimpled his cheeks.
“I’m so sorry,” I managed, my voice embarrassingly breathless. “I wasn’t looking where—”
