My throat tightened at her assumption, and I pulled at my collar, searching for room to breathe. Before I could choke out a reply, Aspen swooped in.
“I know. It was surprising to me, too. But life is full of surprises, and I’ve learned to just roll with them and not question the how too much.”
A laugh slipped through my constricted throat, earning me a glower from Aspen that I met with a look that called bullshit.“Asking questions is Aspen’s favorite pastime,” I teased. She had a driving need to understand and know what came next. Especially when we played. “I guess I’m just lucky that she decided not to question whatever it is between us too much and said yes.”
“Lucky indeed,” Aspen said.
After more congratulations and small talk, the girls made an excuse to go grab drinks.
“I was sure you’d never get married again,” Corbin said once we were alone, his deep blue eyes filled with knowing doubt.
“You know I made a promise to my godfather,” I confessed. Corbin knew me better than anyone, making lying useless. The last thing I wanted was a public interrogation that someone could overhear about my motives for marrying Aspen. “I needed a wife, and she needed a way to keep her company. The end.”
“But marriage?” he questioned, stepping to my side, looking over the crowd toward our women at the bar.
“We aren’t all as lucky as you with Rose.”
He scoffed. “Hey, remember, I was divorced, too.”
I winced at the reminder, hating the connection he was trying to make between us.
“Maybe Aspen isyourRose. Your second chance at love.”
It was my turn to scoff. Hard. “I don’t think so.”
“You’re sure looking at her like I look at Rose.”
“Because I like playing with her.”
“Hmmm.”
I did my best to ignore his gaze boring into the side of my head as I tried to change the way I watched Aspen.
“With that look, you two must fuck like bunnies.”
I flinched. Then cringed, knowing my reaction gave too much away.
“You do fuck, right?” he asked slowly.
“We’ve fucked. Yes.” I paused before muttering, “Once.”
“What?” he exclaimed.
I cringed again and hesitated, not wanting to voice all the reasons I had for holding back from having sex. Admitting them aloud left them exposed and gave Corbin the opportunity to question their validity. I wasn’t ready to defend my choice to stick to foreplay, or to receive feedback on it.
No matter what I said, he wouldn’t understand how I lost control when I fucked her on my desk, without a condom, and the door unlocked, allowing anyone to walk in. I’d been reckless and acted without thought. I’d reacted on feelings.
And I didn’t do feelings.
Clearing my throat, I tried to explain. “We do…other things.”
Corbin faced me completely, demanding I acknowledge his wide-eyed stare. “What the fuck, man?”
Relief nearly buckled my knees when I saw Aspen and Rose on their way back, saving me from answering.
“What has you so shocked?” Rose asked with an amused glance at Corbin.
I peered at Corbin, finding him still slack-jawed and staring.
