Page 160 of Force Play
I let the words absorb.
She doesn’t care.
I’ve been afraid to be myself for so long. Telling Lucia feels freeing.
“You’re only the second person I’ve told. Cole is the only other one who knows.”
“You don’t say anything to the men you’ve been with?”
“I don’t need to. My reputation with women is well-known, so men don’t approach me. I approachthem.At that point, they aren’t questioning anything because clearly, I have some type of interest in men.”
“I figured you would’ve told your parents or something.”
“My mom wouldn’t care,” I say. “I know she wouldn’t, but I’ve never really felt the need to come out to her when I’ve been so adamant I’d never settle down. Cole knows because we’ve been really close since we met. I knew I could trust him with it. My dad, though… I know I’ve mentioned that he’s conservative. Well, that includes a hearty dose of homophobia.”
“Your dad is a jackass,” Lucia says emphatically. “I’m sorry he’s ever made you feel like you can’t be yourself. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being anything that’s not heterosexual. You should never be shamed for that.”
I smile at her, and my heart flutters in my chest.
“You’re amazing, Lucia. Thank you for letting me be myself.”
Lucia places her hand on my cheek, gazing at me with her deep brown eyes. “You don’t need to thank me for doing what’s right. I love getting to know all the parts of you that you don’t really share with anyone else. I meant it when I said you’re incredible. You’ve become one of my favorite people, Ari.”
Without thinking, I say, “Youaremy favorite person.”
For the first time since I’ve known her, I see Lucia blush as her face lights up.
I’m so fucking obsessed with her.
She teases her fingers over my torso, the look on her face taking on a more mischievous feel. “So… I’m curious. When was the last time you were with a man?”
I bark out a laugh. “How did I know you’d ask that?” She just smiles at me. “Do you remember when we talked back when Lane threw that celebration for Liv?”
“Of course,” she shrugs. “That was the night I adamantly exclaimed that I’d never move in with you.”
“Yet here you are now, naked in my bed.” Lucia pushes me playfully. “Well, I mentioned that the last person I had been with was Taylor.”
“I remember that. I told you she sounded pretty.”
“About that… Taylor is a man, baby.”
“Oh my God,” she howls. “I had no idea.”
I wrap my arms around her and pull Lucia over on top of me. “I’m done talking about past partners, Luc. You’re the only partner I care about anymore.”
She leans down and kisses me, and I melt into her.
I finally get to be myself with more than just Cole.
I get to be myself with the woman who lives in my mind rent-free.
The woman who lives in my penthouse rent-free.
And goddammit, I love having her live in both of those spaces.
Lucia is every bit as incredible as I thought she was.
forty-six
