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“And you, sweetie, are drunk.”
Nelson cleared his throat. “Maybe I should go.”
“No.” Kimberly stood, her lips pressed together. “I’ll leave. Thanks for dinner.” She practically ran out of the restaurant.
Samuel pushed Nelson out of the booth and ran after her. She was half a block away, her arms wrapped around herself. She looked so forlorn that his heart broke. Hurting her was exactly what he didn’t want to do. “Kimberly!”
She ducked her head and sped up. “Fuck,” Samuel mumbled. He went after her. She might have been walking fast, but his legs were longer, and he easily caught up.
“What do you want, Samuel?” She refused to look at him.
“Come on.”
She stopped walking and fixed him with a lethal glare. “I’m so tired of you playing games with me. You act like we’re a couple when it’s convenient, then you act like I don’t exist. You’re the biggest cock tease in the history of the world.”
“You don’t even have a cock.”
“Oh, you’re so funny. Samuel, with a joke for everything.” She pushed past him. Samuel caught her arm.
Kimberly stared at his hand, her expression cold, and Samuel released her. Hurried footsteps came up behind him.
“Everything ok?” Nelson’s voice was full of concern.
Kimberly tucked her hair behind her ear and tried to smile. It wasn’t Nelson’s fault that Samuel drove her crazy. “I had fun. Really. Thanks again for dinner,” she said. Nelson seemed skeptical. “And, uh, have a nice night,” she added.
“Wait.” Nelson’s voice commanded so much respect that Kimberly obeyed. “I won’t allow you to go home alone. It’s dangerous.”
“I’ll get a cab.”
“Crash at my place tonight. Both of you. I’m only a few minutes away. Please.”
Guilt washed over Kimberly. Nelson was so sweet, trying not to make her feel unwanted, but it only made her loneliness that much more acute. “I’m fine,” she said as brightly as she could. “I’m so happy that this is going to work out. Samuel is amazing, and you seem great—”
Nelson was giving her a peculiar look, his expression intent. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was about to kiss her…
He pulled her close, his eyes searching hers, and Kimberly froze in shock. Then his lips pressed against hers, and her eyelids fluttered closed. He gently nibbled on her lower lip before slipping his tongue between her teeth.
Some part of her confused brain struggled to understand why he was kissing her and not Samuel. Pity. Had to be.
He pulled her closer, and when their bodies touched she felt undeniable proof that Nelson wanted her. She moaned a little. She wanted him, too, so very badly. It had been too long since she’d been touched.
But Samuel.
Samuel!
She pushed Nelson away. “I’m so sorry, Samuel,” she stuttered. But he didn’t look the least bit upset. “I’m not trying to steal your man…”
Nelson took Kimberly’s hand and led her the few steps to Samuel. “Kiss her, you idiot,” Nelson murmured. “She’s waited long enough.”
“But—” Samuel shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair. “I can’t.”
“He’s gay,” Kimberly said. “Don’t let his claims of bisexuality fool you.” Her heart was pounding so hard in her chest that she thought it was going to explode—and probably take the men out when it did. “We’re friends and that’s it.”
“It’s true,” Samuel said.
Nelson gave Samuel a hard look that Kimberly couldn’t decipher. She needed to leave, but she didn’t though, because Nelson still held his hand in hers, his fingers clamped tightly so that she couldn’t go anywhere. And she didn’t want to walk away. It really wasn’t her fault, but damn, she liked Nelson’s firm touch. When they shook hands for the first time, her knees had threatened to give out on her. Something about an unapologetic, strong male made her stomach flutter.
And that kiss. He hadn’t asked permission. He looked into her eyes, saw that she was attracted to him, and acted.
