and taking a step nearer to me. “Small place, at the back of an alley, right?”
Sam matches Tim’s movement and I find myself sandwiched between two of the hottest men I’ve ever seen in my life. If it wasn’t such a disaster, it’d be my darkest fantasy come true.
Sam narrows his eyes but keeps an easy smile on his face. His calmness is really freaking me out.
“So, Sean, was it?” Tim provokes.
“Sam.”
“Right, Sam. Do you get out to the festival every year?”
“First time, actually. I really only came here to see Ellie.”
Sam breaks eye contact with Tim and looks squarely at me, his body turning slightly toward me, engulfing me in sexual tension that threatens to choke the life out of all three of us.
“Well, I’ve got a tent just a few down from here. I’m a financial planner for a Fortune 500 bank. Stop by, we can talk about your future.”
“Nah, don’t need it. I’ve got a pretty good idea of what my future involves.” Sam looks away from me and gives Tim another of his easy smiles. I want to warn him to not poke the bear, but I’ve lost the ability to speak.
“Still, it might do you some good,” replies Tim. “We work with people all the time who’re living beyond their means. Maybe I could share with you some financial planning tools.”
“No need. In my line of work, I’m used to spotting a tool.”
Tim’s expression darkens considerably as he allows his cool façade to slip. Sam’s standing stoically, the tough biker inside him refusing to back down, waiting for Tim to make the next move. I’ve got to do something to stop this before they tear one another apart, but I think they’ve forgotten that I’m still standing between them.
“Hey, Tim.” The sound of Amber’s voice startles me out of my stupor and Tim, shaken out of his staring contest with Sam, turns to look at her. “Doug’s looking for you. Apparently someone’s beheaded all of your teddy bears and there’s a group of preschoolers over at your tent losing their shit.”
Tim looks down at me and I can tell he’s torn between needing to get back to his booth and wanting to stay for the face-off with Sam.
“Sounds like you’ve got a massacre on your hands,” says Sam, who remains as calm as Amber. He’s going to win this battle, and he knows it.
“Shit. I’ll see you later Ellie.” Tim leans down and places a quick kiss on my cheek. The action roots me to the spot and I can feel a noticeable tensing from Sam.
“Sam, it was nice to meet you,” Tim lies, holding out his hand once more.
Sam’s easy smile is gone, and his presence feels menacing as he accepts Tim’s hand, dropping it after one shake.
“Oh and, Ellie, save me some of that honey-flavored body powder. It tasted great on you the other day.” Tim saunters out of the makeshift alley, a satisfied smile on his face as he disappears around the corner.
I’m frozen and even if I wasn’t shocked into paralysis, I don’t think I could look at Sam right now. I can feel his eyes on me, boring into the side of my head as he processes Tim’s parting words. I force my head to turn and look at him. He’s standing very still, very quiet.
Humiliation is a powerful emotion. I’m not sure if I should cry, laugh, or turn and run away. Sam’s eyes are searching my face and I wish I could tell him it’s not what it sounds like, but that would be a lie. For the past three days I’ve been punishing him for not coming clean about his ex, but I’ve been equally silent on my recent lapse in judgment with Tim. How can I accuse him of being hung up on Roxy when my own ex licked body powder off my cleavage a week ago?
“I was going to talk to you about Tim,” I start, unable to hold Sam’s gaze, dropping my eyes to stare at his chest. “It was just—”
“Don’t.”
“Please, Sam, let me explain.”
“Ellie, I only need to know one thing.”
“Yes?” I ask, holding my breath.
“Is he a problem for you? Do you still love him?”
My mouth forms the words before my brain can register what they’ll be. “No, I don’t.” Relief sweeps through me at the admission. I don’t love Tim anymore. I’m starting to think I never really knew what love was.
Sam considers my words for a moment before leaning down