Page 45 of Savored Sins
Nah, ma’am. Unless we’re talking about my dick, Zeke doesn’t do deep.
Zeke keeps things cool.
As Jenny hooks me by the elbow and leads me off in search of food, I push the volleyball game to the back of my mind. It’s too much to think about right now, and I just want to enjoy the summer night.
Because if I let myself slow down enough to think about it, I’m pretty sure I’ll realize something. Although she may be the one who’s jealous, the fact remains that Autumn Carroway is a million miles out of my league—so what happens once the heat of the sex wears off and she sees reality for what it is?
I see reality right now. I’m the fuck-up whose very existence made his dad walk out. I’m the kid who wasn’t good enough, who was easy to leave. And I amnevergiving someone the opportunity to do that again.
If Autumn wants my cock inside her, fab. But I’m not gonna mess around and pretend like there’s anything else between us. I’m fun and reckless. Happy go lucky. And I intend to keep it that way, thank you very much.
twenty-one
AUTUMN
As I sink into one of the fold-out chairs next to Lydia, I can’t help but watch Zeke and the cute little blond chick with the pink stripes in her hair make their way across the sand. Trey hands me a beer, and I crack the top, immediately taking a long, long swig.
I know I made things pretty obvious with that last, sharp spike—and maybe Iwasa little overzealous—butgod. When I saw Zeke grab that girl’s ass, something just let loose in me. And I don’t even know why. It’s not like Ilikehim. I mean—not likethat.
It’s just… ugh. Zeke’s the first guy to fuck me in two years—and the first guy other than Patrick in, like,sixyears. I think I enjoyed it so much that the thought it might not ever happen again, that Zeke might be involved with someone else, made me a little nuts. That’s all it was.
But I’m cool now. I’ve got a beer, and although Trey is still looking at me sideways, I’m chill. But the pendant’s still in my pocket. No way am I putting that back on when Zeke’s strutting his little playmate around in front of me.
“So who’s the chick?” Lydia asks, one eyebrow raised. “The one Zeke came trotting out with, I mean.”
Goddamnit. I wish I could elbow her, tell her to shut up because I don’t want to talk about it—but I can’t. She doesn’t know, and she’s not goingtoknow. I don’t need that judgment from her and Will.
Phoebe rolls her eyes. “Oh, who the hell knows. Does it matter? It’ll be a different one tomorrow.”
I tip my head back and swig my beer. Because yeah, that’s certainly how it’s seeming. We had sex how many days ago? Two? Jesus Christ.
“Well, he’s definitely got some charisma,” Trey says, stroking his five o’clock shadow. He looks at Dustin, then at me, and I already know what he’s going to say. “Autumn and I were at the house one night a couple weeks ago, and he came to the door at, like, three in the morning. Forgot his keys, I guess, but wasclearlyon his way back from a booty call and—I shit you not—straight up hit on us both.”
That makes Dustin crack up. He squeezes his husband’s thigh and blows me a kiss. “I mean, I can’t blame him. I would’ve, too.”
“I’m just glad he’s not barging intomyhouse every night anymore,” Will says. “I love him, but damn—it gets to be a lot. Thanks for taking one for the team, Autumn.”
“Ha. Sure,” I say, pasting on the fakest grin ever and very carefully avoiding Trey’s eyes. “But honestly, he’s been fine. I barely even remember he’s there.”
Benji’s gaze flicks to mine, like he suspects something. But then he clears his throat.
“Not to be that guy,” he says, “But maybe we can change the subject? I’d rather save the criticism for when Zeke’s here to defend himself.”
Once again, Phoebe rolls her eyes, but she wraps her arms around her twin. “Oh, my lovely brother. Always the softie. Butyou’re right. And actually, come to think of it, I could use some advice on something work-related. My boss is atotaldickwad?—”
There’s a high-pitched shriek, and Phoebe stops mid-sentence. Everyone’s heads whip around, necks craning to see where the hell that came from. And then all of a sudden, Phoebe’s about flipping over the picnic table in her haste to stand up and run toward the female figure sprinting across the sand toward us. I look blankly to Lydia, and she just shrugs.
“Oh, my god!” Phoebe screeches, throwing her arms around whoever it is. “Caroline Walcott?! Is that really fuckingyou?! Giiiiiiiiiiirl! What are you doing here?”
Across the picnic table, I see Benji start. He straightens a bit, his spine drawing up in a way only a yoga dude’s can, and I swear his dark eyes get just a little wider. But then, as suddenly as his surprise came, it’s gone, and his handsome face is smooth again. His posture relaxes, and he slides on his sunglasses—which is weird, given that the sun’s already started to set. But whatever. Benji’s a good guy, and I saw that look he gave me. He’s not prying into my business, so I won’t pry into his.
I turn my attention back to Phoebe, who’s finally pulled back from her hug and is holding the woman she just crushed at arm’s length. They’re both laughing, and although I can’t hear what they’re saying, the occasional shriek and howl drift over to us.
“Who’s that?” Trey asks. “I mean—who’s Caroline Walcott?”
Will cracks open another beer. “Phoebe’s childhood bestie. They were, like, inseparable until middle school, when her family moved away. I guess they stayed in touch, but I haven’t seen her in ages.”
“Huh. Looks like a nice little reunion,” I say, downing the rest of my beer.
