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Lex is slightly taller than me. If you didn’t know him or weren’t related to him like I am, you could definitely see why he comes across as intimidating. It has something to do with his eyes—they’re very green.
Back when I was a kid and Charlie was eighteen, there was a rumor going around that she was having an affair with Lex. He was a couple of years older than her and, at the time, married. Mom mentioned it here and there, but I have selective hearing when it comes to gossip, especially when it involves my cousin screwing a married man.
Lex places his laptop on the table along with his cell.
“What’s so funny?” he asks, grabbing some coffee and sitting across from us.
“Proving your wife wrong that books are a dying breed, and the only people who read are horny housewives.”
He laughs along with me, infuriating Charlie. “Funnily enough, women count for the majority of our book sales. Specifically, in the erotica genre.”
“Thanks for having my back.” Charlie gritted her teeth.
Lex’s smile remains fixed. “Hey, I’m not complaining. Kudos to the authors who write the smut that turns you on.”
I’m grateful Lex and Charlie allow me to stay in their home, but the downside—they’re awfully affectionate with each other. It’s really quite sickening. Thank God the guest bedroom is located on a different floor than theirs. I’d hate to be next door. It explains why they have two kids with one on the way.
“Okay, guys. Awkward. I’m going to shower, and when I come back, I expect both of you to behave. Three kids are enough. Uncle Noah doesn’t need any more madness in his life,” I remind them.
I walk to my room and grab my clothes, hopping into the shower. After the shower and shaving, I change into my crisp, white shirt and charcoal gray pants. Charlie said the office isn’t overly formal and suggested I keep the tie at home. I splash on some aftershave and make my way back to the kitchen, stopping just shy of the door. I hear an unfamiliar voice, a woman, and the accent is distinctively British. Eavesdropping on the conversation, I stand behind the entrance.
“Charlie, I’m fine,” the unfamiliar voice says.
“Kate, you’re not fine. He’s a douchebag. I can’t believe he ended things between you via a text message. He needs to grow some balls!”
“He had balls, Charlie. Nice, big, round ones,” Kate jokes, chuckling.
I scowl at the image of another man’s balls. Gross. Do women really like big juicy balls? This is unheard of. I’ve never had a woman say, ‘Oh, let me touch your big balls.’
Normally, I’d have raised this topic with Benny and Tom. The reminder that they’re not a part of my life anymore dampens my mood.
“Gross, Kate… now that image is going to be stuck in my head. Balls? Really?” Charlie complains. “Argh, let’s stop saying ‘balls.’ Jokes aside, I hate that he did this to you.”
There’s a pause, followed by silence in the room. “I hate it, too, Charlie. But I’m not going to pine for him anymore. He’s made himself perfectly clear, and so it’s time for me to move on. I can move on,” she says unconvincingly.
I promised myself no more. Stop looking for women itching for a rebound. It’s a sick disease that I can’t seem to shake.
I can resist.
Be strong.
Last night, for example, now that was just fun. Both women were looking for a good time. And just because Erika kept mentioning her ex, that doesn’t mean anything, right?
Rebound. Rebound. Rebound. The voices scream as they slap my face repeatedly.
But this—I mean, the British accent is all types of sexy. It would be a waste to pass up this opportunity. All I need to do is see if her voice matches my imagination.
I enter the room, clearing my throat. The kids are gone, and so is Lex. Charlie looks up, her curious eyes watching me cautiously. Her friend, Kate, has already eye-fucked me, greeting me with a playful smile. She’s a gorgeous one—dark blonde hair with cute little freckles scattered over the bridge of her nose. If she’s wearing makeup, you wouldn’t know, her bright blue eyes shimmering as she waits for an introduction.
“Oh, Kate, this is my cousin, Noah. The one I told you about,” Charlie says carefully with a wary expression.
“The one you told her about. All good, I hope,” I tease, smirking back at Kate.
“All good,” she responds while biting her bottom lip. “I’m Kate.” She stands quickly, almost knocking over the coffee pot.
“Noah.” I shake her hand, holding on to it a bit longer than necessary.
She’s going to be easy. See, it’s all in a woman’s mannerisms. The flirty smile and batting of eyelashes are s
