“Ezra, please. Don’t do this.”
“Roe.” I heard that edge of humor in his voice. “He’s not your type.”
At his arrogance, I stiffened and pulled away. “What do you know about my type? About me?”
“I know that guy isn’t for you. And I know that kiss we shared wasn’t from a man who was in love with someone else.”
His breath tickled my ear, and goddamn if it didn’t make me want to feel his lips on mine again. It didn’t matter that three hundred people were right outside that bathroom door. But I didn’t want to hurt Colin. I couldn’t be that much of a bastard.
“Let it go. Don’t do this. Whatever was between us is over.”
Light as a feather, his mouth left a wet, burning trail down my throat, and all those good intentions disappeared when I tasted his kiss again.
“It’s not over,” Ezra breathed. “Not when we both feel like this.” His mouth came down hard on mine, and he cupped my ass. I hardened against him. “See? You feel it. You want me.”
At his low, triumphant laugh, I broke out of my stupor and pushed him away from me so hard, he crashed into the opposite wall.
“Fuck off, Ezra. You ignored me for twenty-three years. Let’s keep it like that.”
I slammed past a wide-eyed man entering the bathroom, who’d obviously heard some of my conversation with Ezra. He kept his head down and scurried past me. I continued my progress away from Ezra and returned to Colin. My chest squeezed tight when I spied him standing with a glass of wine, looking awkward and out of place. I threaded my way through the crowd and slipped an arm around his slim waist. “Sorry I took so long.”
“Everything okay?” The curls he tried unsuccessfully to control fell into his eyes, and with an impatient swipe of his hand, he pushed them back. He gazed up at me through his dark-framed glasses. God, he was sweet, and I was a bastard.
“It’s all good.” From the corner of my eye I caught Ezra chatting with people, laughing as if nothing mattered. I supposed it didn’t, after all. I whispered in Colin’s ear, “Let’s get out of here already.”
At his delighted smile, I took his hand in mine, and we left. If Ezra thought I’d be spending the rest of my evening pining after him, he could go to hell. In fact, no matter what, Ezra Green could go to hell and stay there.
* * *
The next morning I watched Colin dress while I lazed in bed. He finished buttoning his shirt and sat down by me, within easy reach. He was still naked from the waist down, so I touched him. I liked touching Colin. His skin was soft, and when I ran my fingers down his naked thigh, he trembled and grew hard. I reached for him, thinking a quickie before he left for class would be a nice way to start the morning.
“Roe, stop.” To my surprise, he twisted away from me. “Who’s Ezra? Is he the guy from last night? The one you were kissing in the office?”
What the hell?I sat up, the pleasurable buzz of desire vanishing as quickly as it appeared. “What’re you talking about? Why are you asking?”
This was a different Colin than the sweetly yielding man who rode me last night until we both passed out. His soft mouth hardened, and wetness glistened in the corners of his eyes. I might not be in love with Colin, but thinking I caused him pain hurt me as well.
“I woke up earlier and had to use the bathroom. When I came back to bed, you hugged me tight.”
“Sounds good so far.” I smiled.
“You called me Ezra.” He swallowed hard. “And said you loved me.”
Shit, shit, shit.
“No…Colin.”
“Roe, don’t.” He put his hands up to ward me off as if I were a bad spirit. “Don’t lie to make me feel better.” Looking older than his thirty years yet vulnerable, Colin said, “We never made any commitment to each other. It’s my fault for spinning dreams out of wishes and letting myself think maybe there could be something more.”
Feeling like the biggest asshole in the world, I put a hand out. “Please listen to me.” Colin hesitated. “Please, Colin.”
With him at the foot of the bed, I braced myself against the headboard. “I’m sorry that happened. First you should know that when I was with you, Ineverwished I was with anyone else. You’re a wonderful man and a fantastic lover.”
“But not someone you’re in love with. Or could be.”
It might be the truth, but that didn’t mean I wanted to hurt him any more than I already had. My silence, however, spoke volumes. Fortunately, Colin saved me from having to say it out loud.
“Fine,” he said. “But who’s Ezra to you? At least tell me that.”
