Page 68 of In Step

Fire burned in his eyes. “Jesus, look at you.Thisis what I’m talking about. It’s all there. Yes, you were good tonight. Still learning, obviously, but so much better. With time, you could beverygood.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, determined not to cry. I’d never been good at anything much, except maybe English and animals, but Abe’s words fit in my head like they belonged. I’d felt the difference myself, like a silent part of me came alive when we danced, and it wasn’t just about Abe. It was inside. I recognised the soft taste of anger from glimpsing my father at the farm, but it somehow fused with my body’s unfailing reaction to Abe and the sizzling snarky banter we shared, the laughter, the connection. He was right. Itwasall there. I might not be great at the steps yet, but I was there for the rest.

“Come here.” My fingers wrapped around Abe’s stiff cock through those ridiculously sexy tights, and I leaned in to take his mouth, sliding my tongue deep alongside his, my eyelids fluttering closed as his arm circled my waist and took the kiss deeper. Nothing but Abe in my head. Abe wrapped around my body. I lost myself to the moment, completely and utterly unaware of anything else until a lick of cool wind curled around my ankles and a familiar voice jolted me from Abe’s arms.

“Well, well, well. Who’d have fucking guessed?”

Judah.

I lurched out of Abe’s hold and spun to find Judah standing just inside the entrance area, disbelief and simmering anger carved deep into his beautiful face.

Fuck.“Judah, I—”

“Abe?” Judah ignored me and focused on Abe who stood motionless at my side.

I tried again. “Judah—”

Abe put a hand on my arm and shot me a tight smile. “It’s okay.” He took a deep breath and faced his friend. “Something you need, Judah? I thought you were at Jon’s.”

Judah huffed. “Jon was called out to a burglary.” He looked at us. “It appears you’ve been keeping secrets.”

Irritation flashed in Abe’s eyes. “You know, Judah, in respect to our friendship, I’m gonna let that one go. But that’s the last free ride you get, because in case it’s slipped your mind, this is none of your business. What I do, what Kane does, or what we do together isNone. Of. Your. Business.”

Oh shit.

Judah’s eyes blew wide. “None of my—”

“None.” Abe repeated. “Got it?”

Judah glared. “Well, in case it’s slippedyourmind, this ismystudio, and anything that happens in itismybusiness.”

Abe shook his head and his hand wrapped around mine. Shocked, I went to pull it free, but he held tight and Judah’s scowl deepened.

“Come on, Judah. I expected more of you than this. I’m an adult, a lot older than you, and I’ll kiss any damn man I want to. I don’t need your approval, and I certainly don’t appreciate your judgement, so you can back the fuck off, right now.”

Judah paled and his attention flicked to me. “So, you’re gay now?” He strode toward me and Abe stepped between us, putting a hand on Judah’s chest.

“That’s enough,” Abe warned in a tone I hadn’t heard him use before.

I put my hand on his lower back to settle him down and he leaned back into it.

Judah’s eyes glistened with moisture. “Get your hands off me,friend.”

Abe didn’t move. “Step back and I will.”

Judah’s jaw worked, but he finally stepped back, those bright hazel eyes flashing with anger and something that looked a lot like hurt, and all because of me, again.

“I expected more of you too, Abe,” Judah said in a hoarse voice. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but you’re my friend. And you know what he—”

“He was a kid, Jud—”

“Shut up, both of you.” I dropped Abe’s hand and stepped around his body, glaring at both of them. “I’m still fucking here, you know, and I don’t needyouto protect me.” I shot Abe a pointed look.

He blanched and stepped away, and I instantly regretted my words. He didn’t deserve that. “I’m sorry.” I touched his arm.

He shook his head. “No, I’m sorry. Of course you don’t need me to protect you.”

Judah shook his head in disbelief. “Holy fuck, this is really happening between you two, isn’t it?” His lip curled and a cold anger coiled in my belly at the sight.

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