Page 37 of Reckless Love

And I knew instantly who William neededto befriend. “You know Marie’s husband?”

“The bastard? Yes. I’m familiar with him.”

Ah...maybe they were too alike to be friends. I threw it out anyway. “I think the two of you would really get along if you tried. If nothing else he knows all the best cigars in town. And the whiskey.”

William’s eyebrows shot up. “Okay. I’ll give the bastard a shot. If nothing else I’llget some good cigars out of the shit show.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“So is not knowing what my baby sister does for a living. You gonna show me that lab of yours next?”

“Do youwantto see my lab?”

“I do. I want to know you Esme.” He said it so solemnly I believed him. Almost.

“I don’t know how much you’ll understand...”

“Now you’re just being mean. Youthink I can’t keep up? It’s all just numbers in the end, right?”

“There are a lot of numbers,” I agreed, pleased I’d riled him up.

But then things took the turn I dreaded. After we shared a meal and all the fun teasing siblings were supposed to share I almost thought I’d been wrong. Unfortunately I wasn’t.

“Do you still go to those clubs of yours?” He didn’t say it condescendinglylike Edmund did.

“Not for many years. Why?”

He shrugged. “Like I said, trying to get to know you. It seemed like that was an important part of you.”

“It was.”

“And now you’re with this Leo guy? How does that work?” He put his hands up. “I’m just curious.”

So I explained it in the most basic of terms. That at one point I’d used sex as an escape, first in my relationships,then, when those failed, in the anonymity of the club.

“So you love him? Just him?”

I didn’t blame William for being confused. Sometimes I confused myself. “Just him. He’s my other half. No matter what happens I’ll never love anyone the way I love Leo.”

“And do you two...share? Is it an open relationship?”

This was so awkward. “It’s not open. No. And we don’t share.However our sex life is separate from our personal relationship. I have no idea how that will grow and transform.” I had no plans or expectations. Right now I just wanted to be in love.

“Okay. IthinkI get it. As long as you’re happy and he’s good to you.”

That warm light glowed inside me again. “Or you’ll beat him up for me?”

“Hell yeah I will.” He quieted down. “Those guysyou were with at the club. The ones in the video...did you know them outside the club?”

I wanted to shut down. I wanted to yell at him. Mostly I wanted the whole conversation to end. Yes it was uncomfortable and weird and just plan awful to talk about, but I knew—knew—he was digging for information.

I crossed my arms and glared at him. “Tell me why you want to know that.”

“Just more curiosity.” He even shrugged.

“Curiosity? You’re curious about your little sister’s sex life? Why? You going to go beat them up ten years after the fact?” I leaned closer and lowered my voice. “Or are you wanting to know somethingelse?”

“Like what?” His voice was as low and menacing as mine.

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