Page 31 of Licks

Her deep inhale said she’d be keen to explore those athletics, too. And man, did I want her hand wrapped around my cock, fisting me, pumping me. Almost as much as I ached to watch her fall apart. Unfortunately, I knew which question dogged her.

The one I’d avoided.

The one I still wasn’t sure how to approach.

Her calf slid against mine purposefully. “I have some idea, but the question you sidestepped is if you’d like to wear your Badass PI badge and help me find my father.”

I froze, the cold bottle caught in my death grip.

Deciding to pursue her didn’t ease my guilt over what I’d done, but I couldn’t reverse time. My choices hadn’t been malicious. Still, if Gwen learned I’d stolen her chance to meet her father, intentional or not, she’d shut me out. I could drop clues, lead her to him without admitting what I’d done, but that would hurry things along, limit our time together.

Time was already in short supply.

I’d also reread Mary’s last line, before leaving my hotel. Remember what I told you on Gwen’s nineteenth birthday.

Gwen’s mother had shocked me when I’d called her nine years ago, her unexpected revelation leading me to buying Gwen her birthday ring, which had led to our epic disaster. Like this letter was more of the same—Gwen’s mother more involved in her daughter’s life than Gwen had ever realized. I wasn’t sure what that meant. Figuring it out seemed important.

More time I needed.

“Of course I’ll help you find your father,” I said, buying myself more hours.

Gwen

Whenever I’d stand on the edge of a plane door, about to skydive, my heart would pummel my chest, exhilaration and nerves spreading as wind blasted my face. Free. It always made me feel incredibly free.

Like I was a superhero. Invincible. Immortal.

Exactly how sitting across from August felt.

“You’re sure?” I asked, unwilling to believe he’d agreed to this nutty adventure. That he’d laid out his heart, asking me to take a chance on us.

“Stop questioning everything I say.”

He was asking the impossible. Even after his confession, my courage faltered. He knew I’d crushed on him as a teen, but he had no clue how intense those feelings had been, or that they’d continued long after. I probably still loved him now. Words that would send most men running for the hills. I also hadn’t realized how badly I wanted his help finding my father until he’d agreed.

I’d be spending the night with August Cruz, my partner in crime, who really was perusing me like my bikini-clad picture had decorated his teenage wall. I took my fill of him, too: the dark circles under his stunning eyes, his masculine jaw, the way his broad shoulders stretched his T-shirt.

He played the part of brooding singer well. Too well.

Being with him while chasing down clues would be a challenge. Already, I debated dragging him to my apartment instead of into San Francisco’s Tenderloin district. August was the best and worst distraction. One I couldn’t entertain. I had a birthday wish to fulfill by midnight tomorrow. No matter how slim the chances of that happening, I’d do my best. Which meant waiting out this storm cloud of sexual tension.

First and foremost, August and I had been friends. Best friends. If we were going to explore our undeniable connection, starting here made sense.

And I wanted to start now.

I faced our friends. “You guys okay if we take off? August agreed to help search for my father.”

Rachel spun her wineglass restlessly. “We can come, tackle other leads. Our wine tasting event later isn’t a big one. I’d be happy to cancel.”

“Whatever we can do,” Jimmy added, compassion in his earnest gaze.

Silent communication passed between Owen and Ainsley. “I was supposed to attend a store opening,” he said. “A new place selling my furniture, but I’m cool to bail. Give you whatever help you need.”

Ainsley beamed at her man, but said to me, “We’d love to come.”

A wave of warmth rolled over me. I may not have blood relatives in my life, but I had this crew, people ready to drop their commitments and come to my aid. Owen’s offer in particular touched me. He didn’t know his father, either, and his mother had disappeared from his life. He’d been lucky enough to have a loving grandmother raise him and his brother, but understanding shone in his soft brown eyes.

My throat grew scratchy. For a woman who rarely succumbed to emotion, I was sure getting blubbery today. “You guys are the best, but you have food coming, and I only have one lead so far. More people won’t help.”