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We would never work out.
Which is why I had to question the way I kept thinking of his chiseled chest and the intriguing sprinkle of salt-and-pepper that streaked through his hair. I ran my fingers through it that night, pulling him closer for a kiss, and I could still remember the sound of his deep voice growling at me when I did. I’d enjoyed pretending he was all mine, as Duke belonged to my sister, Clover.
Perhaps Riley was difficult to resist for a certain type of girl, but not for me.
My taste skewed more towards a guy like Jake who understood my need to remain unattached, to explore my sexual desires with more than one man. He entered a polyamorous relationship with me because it’s what he required—my complete and utter detachment from any kind of commitment.
We were so well-suited.
Plus, he never went around spewing his alpha male energy in every corner of the room, like a dog marking his territory. Jake had nothing to prove and made it clear by regularly scoffing at gym rats and testosterone-laden males.
It was just that, as much as I wanted to hold Riley in disdain, I had to admire that he earned his muscles not in a den of muscle-bound mayhem, where grown men engaged in a ritual of grunting and groaning, faces contorted as if orgasming, sweat-soaked bodies filling the room with stale stench.
No, Riley’s strength resulted from the lives he saved.
I imagined him diving fearlessly into fire which danced and roared. Amidst the billowing smoke and falling debris, in my daydream, my firefighter spotted a frail, elderly woman, cornered and helpless amidst the encroaching flames.
With determination etched on his face, he navigated the treacherous terrain with the agility of a nimble predator. His bulging biceps swung his axe to shatter the obstacles that stood between him and the trapped lady, carving a path to safety.
Honestly earned sweat poured down his forehead, mixing with the ash and grime, his voice firm yet soothing. Then, with swift, gentle movements, he’d carry her through the hazardous maze, navigating past crumbling walls and collapsing ceilings.
While my mind continued to wander, Riley stood tall in my imagination, his strength forged by bravery and compassion, not any desire for a fine physique.
What a physique it was.
And my God, did he know how to brandish that hose.
In fact, I should call him soon, we were overdue for a hook-up.
Just one more fling. Nothing more, nothing less.
I remembered how the silver fox stud had plunged his fingers into my hair and pulled. With a firm tug, my neck and back arched in pleasure as he moved inside me.
“Faith!” I jolted back to reality as my bestie’s voice broke through. How many times had she tried to get my attention? I shook off the fog of my lascivious daydream.
She removed her glasses and slowly blinked at me, reminding me of a baby owl. “By the wailing banshees and haunted shadows, Ibeseechthee to hear my words.”
Picking up the glass of water Luna had filled for me at the counter, I thought about how thirsty I’d been lately.
Remembering her phone call, I declared, “Well, you’ve got me hanging on pins and needles here. What’s this mysterious secret you can’t discuss over the phone? Is it about The Gabe-inator?”
Excitement stirred behind her eyes. “Hold thy breath, for I bear news that shall transport us to realms of darkness and intrigue! But don’t you want to order your coffee first?” she asked.
At that point, Ava arrived at our table. “Hey Faith. What can I get for you?” she cocked her left brow at me, her giveaway look. She considered my bestie to be a creature as strange and unsolvable as quantum physics. “You having the usual?”
Normally, I ordered a large iced espresso with extra heavy cream. But right then the very thought of it made me want to hurl. “I’d better go for something different today. How about a cup of chamomile?”
“By the ghostly whispers of forgotten souls, this takes the cake! You never have tea,” remarked Luna, as Ava gave my bestie an exaggerated eye roll and returned to the counter to fill my order.
“Speaking of tea, you need to spill yours. The suspense is killing me.” I told her. “Especially if it has nothing to do with Gabe.”
“No, it’s not about him,” her shoulders sagged, and she slouched down in the booth, looking defeated, as always, whenever she mentioned his name.
“OK, I give—what is it? What’s all the secrecy about? I’m dying here.” I announced impatiently.
“I received a job offer.” Her mouth pressed into a white line. “Not just any job offer.”
My brows shot skyward. “But what about the library? You love it there.”
