“Was that really necessary?” I grumble, scrambling to get off him before I do something insane…like lick the patch of his chest I’ve been trying to avoid all night or stab him in the stomach with the erection that’s now introducing itself thanks to that little act.
“Yes, you were taking too long,” he says matter-of-factly. “Now, look over there at two o’clock. There’s a guy who just came in with a girl—the bestie, obviously—but he’s attractive, don’t you think?”
And so it goes for another hour and a half. I’ve lost count of how much I’ve had to drink, but Hanlon stopped after the firstone, clearly understanding that I wasn’t going to be in any shape to drive after this horrific adventure.
I turn down everyone he points out, but instead of getting frustrated, my saint of a stepbrother just pats my knee and tells me not to worry; we’ll find someone.
Eventually, he goes to the bathroom, and I head to the bar. I’m positive more alcohol isnotwhat I need, but I’m too far gone to care at this point.
As I’m waiting to be noticed by the bartender, another man comes to stand next to me. I greet him with a polite nod and then turn my attention back to the bartender, waiting to make eye contact.
Suddenly, the man’s breath coasts across my neck, sending a shiver down my spine…and not in a good way. It’s all wrong.He’sall wrong.
Jesus, what iswrongwithme?
Am I gay or not?
Normally, I’d step to the side and give him some room, but there’s nowhere to go as he whispers against my ear.
“I’ve been hoping to catch you alone all night.”
My head whips toward the man. He’s objectively attractive, not creepy or weird. He’s just flirting. Even in my current state of moderate inebriation, I can tell that. I’m not offended or grossed out. I’m just not interested.
He does nothing for me. Just like every other man and woman I’ve silently begged the universe to let me find attraction towards.
“Uh, thanks?” I say stupidly, unsure how to respond since I don’t want to lead him on, but I don’t want to be a complete dick, either. Being an asshole at work is a lot different from being one in a social scene. Plus, I don’t want to reflect poorly onHanlon.
Hanlon.How long has he been gone? I wish he’d get the fuck back here.
The guy chuckles and presses in closer.
I close my eyes, willing myself to want to give in; to feelanyhint of desire for him or anyone else in this bar besides theone fucking humanon the entire goddamn planet I can’t have.
But when the guy’s erection presses into my ass, and his hand slips into my pocket, I want to bolt.
Realizing I don’t know how to getoutof this situation since I’ve never beeninthis situation, I freeze. And all I can think is this must be how Hanlon feels when he wants his body to move, and it refuses to cooperate.
It’s literal hell.
Chapter 18
Hanlon
Tonight has not gone as planned. Stone is having a hard time breaking out of his shell and admitting what he wants. Hell, maybe he reallydoesn’tknow, but he’s never going to find out until he starts putting himself out there.
When I come out of the bathroom, he’s at the bar. An attractive man is getting handsy, and Stone isn’t punching him in the face, so maybe he’s into him.
I ignore the sting of jealousy welling inside me because it’s entirely misplaced. Stone can never be more than what he’s always been to me because our family wouldn’t survive it.
No, this man at the bar is doing me a favor. If I’m going to withstand the rest of this internship, working under Stone all day and living under his roof at night, Ineedhim to find a man he’s into because that’s a line I’d never cross, no matter how much I want him for myself. If he belongs to someone else, then I can get this sick attraction out of my head and move the fuck on.
Maybe if I knowhe’staken care of, I won’t feel likeIneed to be the one to do it.
That’s a lie.
I’ve taken care of Stone just as much as he’s taken care of me.
Even when he left me, I still covered for him with our parents. I never told them he left without saying goodbye. I lied and told them we talked weekly, so they wouldn’t give him shit about hurting my feelings.
