Yeah, there was that.From the first time I met Chris Cavanaugh, there’d been something I was attracted to.His demeanor, his good looks, that devil-may-care grin.All of it together made up the man I’d fantasized about a few times over the years.
You should try telling him that.Maybe break the ice.
I didn’t get a chance to say anything before Cav was on his feet, moving around to pour himself another drink.He seemed antsy.Whether that was in direct correlation to me or the date he’d had, I wasn’t sure, but I intended to find out.
“What is this, Cav?”I asked, not waiting for him to return to the room.
I expected him to play coy, so I was surprised when he answered with a simple, “I have no fucking idea.”
That about summed it up, I figured.We’d been doing this dance for a long time.
My gaze trailed him as he moved toward the sofa.He’d dressed up for his date, and I got the feeling Jamie had been impressed.It was rare to see Cav wearing a suit.It was a good look for him.
“It’s been building for a long time,” I admitted, knowing we had to hash this out at some point.
He sat, stared at me.“I know.For me, too.”He took a swallow of his drink.“So where does it go from here?”
I relaxed back into the chair, pretending I didn’t have a care in the world.“I want to hear about your evening.”I allowed my gaze to slide over him momentarily before slowly creeping back up to his face.“But I need you to do something for me first.”
He sipped his drink, and I could see the battle brewing in his head.He wasn’t sure he was ready to give in to this, although he’d been fighting it for as long as I had.I could see the hesitance, the uncertainty.He wanted more, but like me, he didn’t quite know how this could play out.
Finally, he said, “What do you want me to do?”
“Strip.”
When he didn’t move, I took a sip of my scotch, continued to watch him closely.
“And if I don’t?”
“Then we can talk about sports or work or whatever the hell else is on your mind.”
“But not my date?”Cav challenged.
“I didn’t say that.If you want to share, I’ll listen.But I can always get the details from Jamie.”We both knew I was giving him an out.
Or you could just tell him what you really want.Stop beating around the bush.
I could.But where was the fun in that?
When he set his empty glass down on the end table, I couldn’t look away.And when he stood, I stopped breathing momentarily.
“I’m tired of playin’ this game, Edge.”He began unbuttoning his shirt, first the cuffs, then the rest.
When the fabric slid open, I nodded approvingly.“I am, too.”
“Then why do we keep playin’ it?”
I met his gaze, my insides burning from the lack of air.“You tell me.”
It wasn’t until he flipped the button open on his slacks and lowered the zipper that my lungs filled, and my body flooded with heat.
Chris Cavanaugh was a very attractive man.Ruggedly good-looking with his blond hair, blue eyes, and purposely stubbled jaw.His body was chiseled nicely, and I admired every single inch as he slowly discarded his shirt.My attention shifted to the scars from the bullets he’d taken years back.I remembered it like it was yesterday.I’d gotten the call and dropped everything to be at his bedside.The man had been my best friend since college, and that news had damn near leveled me.
“Keep watchin’, Edge,” Cav growled softly as his hands moved to his hips.
Seconds later, they slid down his muscular legs, pooled on the floor.His black boxer briefs were the last to come off, but finally, he was standing in my living room naked while I watched him from what was now my favorite spot in this house.
“Is this what you wanted?”he taunted.
