Page 50 of Dreamboat

“More like he of little magic skills,” he counters. “Everyone in that theater knew how he made you disappear.”

I gasp a little too loudly as we continue walking side by side. “No, they didn’t.”

“Hell, yes they did.” He chuckles. “You hid on the ledge at the back of the box.”

“I can neither confirm or deny that’s true.”

He shoots me a look. “No need to do either, Delia. You tried your best, but Clever the unclever magician needs to practice, and then practice more, and then…”

“Practice more?”

“You know it.” He slows as the crossing light flashes a warning. “Tell me why you tracked me down tonight.”

I glance up at him. “To talk.”

“About?”

I look at the passing traffic before I finally shift my gaze back to him. “Having more fun.”

“With me?” he questions, a glint visible in his eyes.

“Don’t hurt Matt,” I warn him. “When this ends we agree to be adult about it. We each go our own way and agree that Matt remains neutral throughout. He’s my brother and your employee.”

“And friend,” he adds. “I told you his job is safe, Delia. I won’t change my mind on that. You have my word.”

I barely know him, but I sense his word means a great deal.

“It needs to be casual,” I say as we start to cross the street. “No conflict, no drama. Just fun, Donovan.”

“I’m all for that.” He motions for me to turn to the left to continue our walk on that sidewalk. “If you want to be on top, you’re not going to get an argument from me? I’ll eat you instead of dinner seven nights a week.”

All of that sends a charge straight through to my core. “I need this to be as uncomplicated as possible.”

“As do I.” He slows his pace. “We’ll enjoy ourselves and when it’s time to call it a day, we part as friends.”

He may be capable of that. I’m not sure I am, but I know that I’m going to do everything within my power to keep my emotions out of this. I want to spend more time with him. I’m desperate to crawl back into bed with him, and I’m mature enough to see this for what it is.

It’s a summer fling with the possibility of slipping a wee bit into fall before it runs its course.

“We can’t hang out at my apartment,” I blurt out. “Matthew has been known to randomly show up, so…”

“So, you’ll come to my townhouse when you want to see me,” he says casually. “Text me so I have your phone number.”

“Now?” I ask, glancing around.

He smiles. “Or later. It’s up to you.”

I look into his eyes as we stand under a streetlight. “We’re going to have fun.”

He nods slowly. “So much fucking fun and yes, I mean that just as it sounds.”

I bow my head. “It sounds divine.”

“I’ll take you home with me now,” he offers. “If that’s what you want.”

I crane my neck back and suck in a deep breath. “I want to text you later so you have my phone number.”

“That works too.” He leans forward to press a soft kiss in the middle of my forehead. “I’ll get you home. Let me flag down a cab or we can take the subway.”

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