“What would that be?”
“Don’t trust anyone, because they only want something from you. In college it was easy because no one was looking for forever or a relationship. I didn’t have to tell anyone anything about myself because they didn’t care. All they wanted was sex. And that’s all I figured I was good for anyway.”
“Spence.”
“It’s okay. I know I’m worth more than a quick fuck. I pick who I want to be with—when and where. I decide. It’s my choice now. Mine.” He didn’t realize he was shouting until Wolf gathered him closer.
“I have you. Don’t worry.” Wolf didn’t seem to mind that Spencer had wrapped both arms around his neck. “I’m here.”
Embarrassed by his outburst, he wriggled free from Wolf and sidled away, fixing his hair and straightening his shirt. “I’m fine. I didn’t mean to lose it. It was so long ago…”
“You don’t forget. Ever. We learn to live with it,” Wolf muttered.
“I wanted to forget. I didn’t think anyone would care.”
“We would’ve. You know that. Chess, Elliot, and me. We care about you.”
Spencer snorted. “Come on. You looked down on me, you always have.” Frustrated that the conversation had turned this way, he walked away, but the annoying man followed.
“I didn’t.”
“I don’t believe that. And anyway, it doesn’t matter anymore.” He huffed and pointed to the sushi. “Can we eat, please? I’m hungry. This night isn’t supposed to be about me. It’s about you and your father.”
He’d struck a nerve, and Wolf’s face darkened with anger. “Don’t put the two of us together in the same sentence.”
They ate the sushi in silence, and Spencer, who now regretted spilling his guts earlier, knew that Wolf wouldn’t give up so easily and had to think fast how to get the topic of discussion back where it belonged: on Wolf and his issues. Wolf hadn’t dealt with anything that had happened to him in the past few months, and since Spencer was pissed off and a little embarrassed he’d revealed so much to Wolf, he wanted to poke him.
“You never really explained why you’re still representing my father. Why do you have to ask a judge? And I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me anything.”
Setting his chopsticks on the table, Wolf sighed. “An attorney can’t simply walk away from a client. They have to ask a judge for permission to recuse themselves. So I put in my request. Hopefully, it’ll be granted.”
“Hopefully?” he sputtered. “What do you mean? You can’t represent him.”
“I have to if the judge says I do. But I don’t want to think about that. I’ll deal with it when the time comes.”
“What do you want to do now?” Spencer raised a brow.
Wolf smiled.
Chapter Eighteen
He swept the containers into the bags and dumped them into the garbage. Hearing Spencer’s story slayed him. Having dealt with victims of abuse in his work, it explained so much about Spencer’s behavior—the inability to form lasting sexual relationships, the need to be loved and wanted.
When Spencer didn’t want to talk—which was rare—he wouldn’t. He was a stubborn ass and used his charm and sense of humor to change the subject. The more Wolf thought about it, the more he realized maybe Spencer was always one to give advice to Elliot and Chess about relationships because it was what he wanted but didn’t believe he deserved for himself.
“I don’t know if I thanked you enough for what you did for me earlier.”
Never one to hold a grudge too long, Spencer said, “I think you moaning my name andyes, pleasewas thanks enough.” His eyes twinkled, and Wolf’s cheeks heated.
“Idiot. I wasn’t talking about that, although I’m going to have a hard time being in the office now and not thinking about it.”
“Hard time, huh?” Spencer left his seat, and in two strides closed the distance between them, trapping Wolf against the kitchen counter. “I like thinking of you hard.” Spencer nuzzled his neck, and that incredible burst of electricity shot through him. “I bet you’re hard right now, aren’t you, Wolfie?”
His control slipping fast, as it always did when Spencer touched him, Wolf gritted his teeth. “You’re not letting me speak.”
“I know. That’s the point.” Spencer’s mouth covered his, the taste of him sweet and familiar. How could he not have become addicted to kissing Spencer? The touch of his lips settled the last of his doubts about what was happening between them. Nothing this perfect could be wrong.
Wolf mustered up the strength to stop kissing Spencer and cupped his face. “I meant, taking time out of your day to come to me. I know I haven’t made it easy for you to stay my friend.”
