“That’s not true. I-I told Ambrose.”
“Wow, I’m so honored.” Bailey slow-clapped, and my face flamed.
“Forget about him. What did you mean you’ll meet someone else?”
Jaw set, he folded his arms. “It’s pretty self-explanatory. I want a lover who’s proud to be with me, not someone who pretends I don’t exist because I don’t fit with his lifestyle. If I try hard enough, I’ll find someone else who wants me. So go ahead. Leave. Sit at home and brood about the world instead of living in it.”
Bailey had made it easy for me. I could walk away, and that would be it. I’d probably see him occasionally at Grady’s, but I could work it out so I didn’t have to. But as Bailey spoke so easily of replacing me, I saw red. The thought of another man touching him, kissing him…being inside him? No fucking way. Unthinkable.
“I’m sure you can find someone else. But he’s not gonna get the chance. Not as long as I’m around.”
Bailey rolled his eyes. “Yeah? What? You’re going caveman on me? Talk is cheap, Keston. I need someone whose actions match his words.”
“How about this?” I pulled him to me and slammed my mouth over his. He clung to me, pushing his tongue past my lips to play with mine. I tangled my hands in his hair, breathing deep of his smell. “You’re mine. No one else’s.”
He sucked my tongue, then nipped it. “Yeah? You want me? Say it to my face.”
“I want you.” I licked a wet path up his neck, touching the jumping pulse at the base of his throat. “I’m crazy about you.”
“Are you just saying that to get me into bed?”
I gazed into Bailey’s lust-drunk eyes, his mouth swollen, face reddened from my stubble. “No. If you want me to leave, I will, but it won’t change how I feel. You’ve gotten under my skin.”
“Like a bedbug?” He grinned.
“Only if it’s my bed.” I cradled his face between my palms. “I am so sorry I didn’t stand up for us earlier. I was caught by the shadows of the past instead of living in the sunlight of the future. I promise to try and be better.”
“That’s very poetic. It would make a great tattoo.” Bailey kissed me. “I accept your apology. Were you being honest with me? Did you tell Ambrose about us?”
“Yeah. He was pissed I lied, but he admitted he made it hard for me to tell him the truth with his stupid attitude toward lawyers.”
“I told him about his brother. That I’ll be looking into his case.”
I nodded. “I know. Also that you’re doing it for free? Bailey, that’s nice of you.”
He shrugged. “Don’t you know? I’m a nice guy.”
“Really nice.” I slid my arm around his waist. Bailey fit me, no matter that our pieces came from two different sets. “Hot too.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere, you know.” He blinked at me. “Where do we go from here?”
“We said we were gonna try out this dating thing.” One hand splayed at the small of his back while the other undid his tie.
“We’re a little past that phase, don’t you think?” His gaze was steady, and I squirmed under his scrutiny.
“I guess…yeah. We are.” My phone buzzed, and Grady’s name popped up. “Do you mind if I get it?”
“No, of course not.”
“Hey, what’s up?”
“I know it’s a little late and short notice, but Lauren and I were gonna meet for dinner downtown. Want to join us?”
Bailey had put some space between us to give me privacy, but I grabbed his arm and put my hand in his. “Can I bring someone?” He raised a brow, and I grinned.
“Uh, yeah. Sure.” A smile softened Grady’s normally husky voice. “Do I know them?”
“Kind of.”
