Page 53 of Reckless Kiss

Chapter 17

Riding back to my house was an exercise in creative foreplay. My hands up her skirt, her hands over my pants, my fingers dancing along the sensitive skin behind her ear, her fingers stroking the stubble on my cheek.

I was so blind with need when I pulled into my driveway that I didn’t notice the car on the curb.

“Stop fogging up the windows!” Jeffry yelled as he knocked on Esme’s window, causing her to jump and yelp at the same time.

The blood drained right out of her face as she mouthed his name.

“Back off!” I yelled. Then to Esme, “Looks like plans have changed.”

“At least this should provide plenty of entertainment for my four friends.”

I grimaced as I stepped out of the car and walked around to let Esme out, but not before glaring at Jeffry. He was dressed as usual in an ironic shirt about the Periodic Table, worn jeans, and rumpled hair. “This better be good.”

So of course he smirked. “Hope’s been gone three days. I’m fucking lonely.”

Esme stepped out, glancing between us warily. I kissed her cheek hoping it would help settle her nerves. “Why are you lonely, Jeffry? Where are John and the gang?”

I liked to pretend that Esme never dated Jeffry but it was times like this that I had to face facts. They dated. She knew Jeffry’s friends. They had a relationship that didn’t involve me.

“They’re at a conference in Boca. Can you believe it? Everyone left me at once. Well, except for you guys.” He shrugged.

I didnotlike the expectant look in his eyes. “Cock blocker,” I muttered, grabbing Esme’s hand as I fished out my keys. “You can stay for an hour.”

“Why? You two got plans? Something fun to do later?”

I let everyone in and Jeffry immediately went to my refrigerator. Two minutes later he’d assembled a sandwich and helped himself to a beer, all while Esme stood in the doorway.

“This is weird,” she finally said. “It’s weird right? Can we just say it and get it out in the open? This is weird.”

Jeffry stopped mid-chew and looked at me. “Me?”

“No Jeffry,” I groaned. “She means youandherandme. As in, you two dated and now we’re dating. It’s weird.” I probably still harbored feelings of guilt for the way I lusted after Esme while they were dating. That was the only logical explanation for my odd feelings.

“It’s not weird,” he repeated as he swallowed and took a swig. “Certainly not any weirder than the fact that Leo was with Hope.”

Esme gasped.

I groaned again. This night was...not going well.

“Wait, wait, wait,” Esme put her hands up and screwed her eyes shut. “Let me get this straight. We dated,” she waved between her and Jeffry. “Now we’re dating. But first you had sex with Hope, and now Jeffry and Hope are together?” She waved her hand around the kitchen. “This isn’t weird. It’sbeyondweird.”

“Only if you decide to feel weird. I don’t feel weird,” Jeffry said.

“Can everyone stop sayingweird?It doesn’t even sound like a word anymore.” And Jeffry was right. I didn’t want to feel this way and feelings were at least partially a decision. “We’re all adults here. Adults who’ve made choices, been respectful, and can continue to do so. Hope and I were a one time thing. No feelings were involved and I think of her as a friend or a sister. I’m pleased that she and Jeffry have chemistry and compatibility that is rare and special. Likewise,” I turned my attention back to my very beautiful girlfriend, “you and Jeffry went on several dates. You discovered that despite some initial attraction there was nothing more, unless I’m missing something?”

They both visibly stiffened, looked at each other like the very idea of sex was repulsive, and shivered. “No,” Esme said firmly.

Jeffry shrugged. “I’d be insulted by that response if the feeling weren’t mutual. In fact, I’m going to echo Leo’s sentiments and say that I care about you Esme, but in a platonic, brotherly way.”

“I care about you too.” She smiled at him warmly. “I’m glad you found someone who doesn’t make you nervous. I felt so bad...”

I took her hand and wrapped her arm around my waist. “You don’t need to feel that bad. Jeffry’s a big boy.” One who apparently can’t be left alone unsupervised for more than twenty-four hours.

“Where is Hope anyway?”

“Something for work. All she’d tell me is that it was an investigative report and the less I knew the better. But,” he held up a finger as if he were Sherlock Holmes about to explain a mystery, “I know she flew to Nashville first and now she’s in St. Louis and plans to head to Boston on Friday. Then she’s coming home.”

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