He rested his elbows on his knees and wrung his hands together, trying to come up with the words that would make everything all right.
Bailey spoke first. “Do you love him?”
Because he didn’t want to lie to her, Holt nodded as he explained. “I haven’t seen Rafe in nearly three years.”
Bailey wagged a finger at him. “Is this the back burner story that I previously asked about?”
Feeling guilty for not telling her about it, Holt dropped his head and said, “Yeah.”
“When was the last time you saw him? At the beach while you were workin’ on your project?”
Holt lifted his head. “Yes. We spent a lot of time together for those couple of months, but nothing happened between us until … well, until the last day he was there.”
“What happened?”
Holt forced himself to look at her. “I wish you’d ask him to tell you.”
“Oh, I plan to.” Bailey shifted so her knee was on the cushion, and she faced him directly. “But Rafe’s not the one who led me on.”
“I didn’t lead you on, Bailey. Iamin love with you.”
“How does that work if you’re gay?”
“Bisexual,” he corrected. “Not gay. Not straight. I’ve always been attracted topeople. It hasn’t mattered whether they were one gender or another.”
“Oh.” Her lips pursed. “That does make more sense. But it doesn’t explain what you expect out of all this. Did you think you could be with meandRafe?”
Holt wanted to tell her he wasn’t the one who had kissed Rafe, but it felt like a betrayal to blame the man when he wasn’t there to defend himself. And he had kissed Rafe back, so that negated his innocence.
Bailey’s eyebrows rose slowly. “Is that why you don’t care that I have feelings for Rafe? Because that would benefit you?” She shook her head. “Oh, God. And that’s why you thought it was okay that I’ve been fantasizin’ about the two of you.”
“What?” Holt sat up straight. “You fantasized about both of us?”
Based on her expression, she didn’t realize that was something she hadn’t shared with him yet.
“More like fantasies when I’m asleep,” she muttered.
“Dreams?”
She chewed on her lower lip for a moment. “It doesn’t matter. You were turned on when you thought he was watchin’.”
“If I recall, you’re the one who saidyouwere turned on.”
Bailey shrugged.
“But yes, I was turned on. More so by you than anything else, but the idea of it was … I might have a penchant for exhibitionism, so thinking Rafe might be watching … sure, it was hot.”
Bailey’s cheeks turned rosy, which seemed her default when the topic was sex-related.
“But I had no idea you fantasized about both of us.” He inched closer. “At the same time?”
“Maybe.” Her gaze dropped to her hands. “But that’s not the point.”
No, it wasn’t. At least not right now. It would definitely be something they revisited later.
“Do me a favor, Bailey?”
“Hmm.”
