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A loud knocking on the bar jolts me out of my head. I drop my hands to find Tadhg watching me worriedly. ‘You okay?’
‘Yeah. I’m good. Stef’s here. They’re upstairs changing.’
That gets me an eyebrow raise. ‘Upstairs?’
Then I realize what I’ve said. Guests usually use the bedroom and bathroom down here to change, since it’s closer to the pool. It’s odd for someone to use my personal bathroom. ‘Yeah. I wasn’t sure if the bedroom down here would be occupied.’ It’s a lame attempt at a thin excuse, and his smirk says we both know it. Before I can dig myself a deeper hole, Stef skips down the stairs.
“I’m here!”
They come into view and thank god I hadn’t taken another sip of whiskey because without a doubt I would have aspirated it. Stef is wearing the tiniest swim briefs I’ve ever seen. The lime-green and bright-pink checked fabric barely covers their perfect ass, and damn, even unaroused, Stef is... endowed. How in hell did they hide all that under their tiny miniskirt at the club?
Greedily, my eyes take in every inch of them, roaming over the dips and planes of their smooth, bare chest and abs. Jesus, I want to touch them. This pool party was a horrible idea. Awful. Who the hell thought of it? Thank god I’m behind the bar. The tent at the front of my swim trunks does nothing to hide how hard I am.
Stef hurries over and throws their arms around Tadhg, hugging him tightly, and for a brief moment, I’m jealous. ‘Hello, sweetie! How are you?’
Stef knows ASL? Wait, of course they do. They were friends with Tadhg before we ever met.
‘I’m great. How was class?’
Stef slumps against the bar. ‘Long and sweaty. But now it’s time to relax and let my hair down.’
For about three seconds, I’m annoyed Tadhg knew where Stef was and didn’t tell me. But how would he know I’d care? Heshouldn’tknow. We don’twantanyone to know. Because I’m notsupposedto care, even though I clearly do. So much for professionalism.
While they chat, I whip together a vodka soda with cranberry and slide it in front of Stef. They pause and glance at the drink, then at me, and beam. ‘Thank you!’ They pick up the glass, blow me a kiss, and take a sip. I watch their Adam’s apple bob as they swallow, and try to control the dissonance I’m feeling. Stef from the club, Stef from meditation practice, and Stef, my brother’s friend, are colliding in front of me and I’m at odds over how to react.
Stef clears their throat, and I guiltily snap my gaze to theirs. They raise an eyebrow at me and smirk into their drink, and I know I’ve been caught looking. They don’t call me on it, though. I gesture to the intricately detailed half lion, half lioness head on their deltoid. ‘Beautiful tattoo.’
‘Thanks. I had it done a few months ago.’ They glide their fingertips over the lines. ‘I love how I can feel the pattern of the ink under my skin. I’ll be sad when that fades.’
I want to run my fingers over the ink and feel it too. Feel their warm, soft skin beneath my hands. ‘I’ve always wanted a tattoo, but I never knew what to get.’
Stef sips their drink. ‘It’s never too late. Maybe you’ll think of something then you can have it done.’
Tadhg waves to interrupt us. ‘You two can talk about that during your meditation session. Come outside! Everyone’s waiting.’
I’m not sure Tadhg quite gets what’s supposed to happen during a meditation session, but I don’t contradict him.
Tadhg nods toward the pool. ‘Let’s go.’
I take another sip of whiskey and grab a beer from the fridge, belatedly remembering Gary’s request, and follow them outside.
10
Stef
IfIhadscriptedmy ideal entrance to this party, I couldn’t have done better than what actually happened. Not only was I greeted at the door by a half-naked Blake—I so adore a man with chest hair—but within ten minutes of my arrival, I was naked in his shower. Okay, I’d have written that part differently because unfortunately I was alone. But I came downstairs to an obviously appreciative Blake devouring me with his eyes, making me feel all tingly and gorgeous. I do look amazing in my swimsuit, but it’s incredibly gratifying to know he thinks so too. And he still can’t take his eyes off me. His gaze wanders over my body like an intimate caress, and I am reveling in it.
I want to stay and talk to Blake, but follow Tadhg out to the patio to mingle with everyone, saying hello to all my friends and getting and giving lots of hugs. I definitely don’t watch as Blake lounges next to the hot tub, talking to Jocelin, or when he goes inside to get another drink. My sole focus is not Blake McCarthy. Though his furry chest and delicious happy trail are yummy. Erik chuckles and waves his hand in front of my face. “Hey, Earth to Stef.”
I tear my eyes away from Blake’s beautiful body, cutting effortlessly through the water of the lap pool, his strokes powerful and mesmerizing. “What?”
“Why don’t you go talk to him?”
I glance between Erik and Quinn. “Talk to who?”
They both laugh, and Quinn leans closer. “Blake. Seriously, the two of you are being ridiculous. He’s obviously into you, and you can’t take your eyes off him. You’re both grown adults.” He gestures toward the pool. “Go see what happens.”
“I have talked to Blake. I said hello, and he got me a drink.”
