Page 88 of Forged

I study him more closely now. The way he’s able to say what he feels is refreshing. My world is cold, and for so many years I’ve kept things strictly casual with partners. No morning conversations, hell, more often than not, I didn’t even stay long enough to interact with the person or people I shared a bed with. Ialways slipped out after the deed was done, keeping my distance, staying safe.

But here I am, with the woman I’ve come entirely too close to telling I love her and a man that ignited a fire in my skin that I’m not sure I can explain yet. The way his shoulders stay relaxed, but his eyes stay sharp, he’s a man comfortable in pleasure and control.

He shifts, fingers curling around his mug. “Is it too bold of me to say I don’t want this to be a one-night thing?”

The question hangs between us.

I lean against the counter. “I can’t make decisions like that alone,” I say. “I would need to discuss that with my wife.”

“I know,” he replies. “I just wanted to make sure you know that last night left a deep impression on me. I would like to get to know you and Neomi better.”

“If we were to see you again,” I continue, “it wouldn’t be in a bedroom.”

A flicker of amusement touches his eyes. “Oh, yeah?”

“We’d have dinner,” I tell him. “At a public place where we could have a proper conversation and no expectations.”

“I’d like that,” he answers, and this time the relief in his voice is faint but I still recognize it.

I nod once. “I’ll take your number.”

I set my mug down, pick up my phone and type in his phone number as he recites it.

“I’ll talk to her,” I tell him. “If she’s comfortable, I’ll text you details to meet up again.”

He inclines his head. “I hope to hear from you, Lars.”

Footsteps echo down the hallway before the moment can stretch any further. Neomi reappears, dressed now, hair brushed, that soft glow still lingering on her skin. She pauses when she sees us standing close but not touching.

“What did I miss?” she asks lightly, eyes curious.

I push off the counter and slip my phone back into my pocket.

“We were talking about how sexy you are,” I say without missing a beat.

Her brows lift. “Oh, were you?”

Gabriel’s mouth curves, but he doesn’t contradict me. “Extensively.”

She laughs, shaking her head, and walks toward us. I reach for her waist on instinct, drawing her into my side.

“We should get going,” Neomi says after a moment, glancing once more toward the piano.

Gabriel nods. “I’ll walk you out.”

The three of us move toward the door together. It feels different than leaving a hotel room or a stranger’s apartment ever has. There’s no scramble or awkward nervousness. Surprisingly, the only thing I feel is the want for more time.

Neomi reaches him first.

She steps into his space, her hands sliding up his chest before looping around his neck. The kiss she gives him isn’t heated, it’s slow, her lips lingering on his. His hand settles firmly at the small of her back, and when they part, something unspoken passes between them.

Neomi steps back and watches as he moves toward me. The first brush of his mouth against mine is restrained. I let it linger a second longer than necessary before deepening it just slightly, enough to feel his breath change. His hand comes to my jaw, thumb pressing lightly along the edge as if anchoring himself.

When I pull back, I work to steady my pulse.

“Be safe,” he says, voice lower now.

“Always.”