Page 62 of Illicit

“That’s right.” A big warm hand lands on the side of my face, and a thumb drags over my bottom lip. When he presses the pad of this thumb between my lips, my eyes fly open.

Fucking Rocco.

He’s wearing nothing but boxers, a big bandage, and a wolfish grin.

“I remember Jed,” he goes on. “He’s great.”

“Isn’t he?” Landyn is clueless as she keeps digging my grave. “If you weren’t already my guy bestie, I’d recruit him. I love him. I remember we were so surprised when he broke up with Teagan. I mean, it’s Teagan—our Teagan. If anyone had a chance with her, they’d be crazy to turn that down.”

Rocco’s grin disintegrates.

My eyes flare.

“Crazy,” Rocco bites.

“But you’re right. Jed is great. Later, it all made sense.”

“Did it?” Rocco digs, his eyes still boring into mine.

“Well, yeah. He’s gay. It all came out later, remember? He told Teagan in high school when they broke up, but he didn’t come out until later in college. She kept his secret and supported him all those years.”

Rocco’s expression softens, and he slips the tip of his thumb that was tormenting me in a whole different way from my lips. Instead, he brushes my cheekbone with it. “That sounds like her.”

Landyn is as exasperated as I feel. “I can’t believe you forgot all that. Seriously, Roc. You never pay attention. You are definitely not gay.”

Hmm, I concur.

“Thanks for confirming that,” he mutters.

“Anyway, you have one job on the way from Mississippi to Miami. We’re calling it Project Get Teagan to Stay in Miami. Sammie will have a baby any day, we’ll have another one next month, and you’ll be home where you belong. Everything was perfect until she changed her plans. We can’t lose Teagan to New York City. It’s on you. Get her to stay.”

Rocco’s wide chest expands with a deep breath. He never looks away from me. “I don’t know if she’ll listen to me.”

“Convince her. I believe in you.”

“I’ll do my best,” Rocco says.

I can’t do this. I break his intense stare and turn my head to the side.

“I know you will,” Landyn says with a smile. “Just a few more days. I can’t wait to have you home. I’m sure we’ll talk a million times before then. Work your magic on Teagan. I almost have my family all together—she’s the missing piece.”

“I’ve got to go. Movers will be here soon and there’s stuff I need to tie up before I leave town.” What Rocco does not do is make any promises about me.

Smart man.

“Give Teagan a hug at graduation. I hate that I can’t travel to be there for her.”

“I’m sure she understands. Tell Brax hi.”

“I will. Working with you is all he can talk about. If I wasn’t so excited myself, I’d be offended since I’m about to have his third child. Good luck with the move.”

“Thanks. But I’m really hanging up now.”

“Fine. Love you.”

“Yeah,” Rocco agrees. “You too.”

He reaches over me to disconnect the call.

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