the rasp of Leo’s scruff, and his skin tingled, his whole body aching with pleasure.
Chris wrapped his arms around Sean’s waist and rested his chin on his shoulder. “Look us in the eye and tell us he wasn’t incredible—the best sex you’ve ever had.”
He met their frank gazes and held up his hands. “I can’t. You’re right, you got me. It was incredible.”
“It’s not a matter of ‘getting you.’ We just want you to be happy.” Sean laced his fingers with Chris’s.
“I’m trying. Really. Moving in here was the first step. I’m making a life for myself separate and apart from being Jeffrey’s plus-one.”
“And Leo is helping?”
“I told you. We’re not together. We can’t even be in the same room without sniping at each other. We’re totally incompatible. He’s not the right one for me.”
“Except in bed.” Morgan kept silent, and Sean pushed forward. “Look. I know it’s hard to move on. Jeffrey was a certain type, and I get it, believe me. I never dated a white guy before, but once I met Chris, I knew he was the one.” He placed their entwined hands over his heart. “The only one. Who he is inside, not his skin color, is what’s important. People give us the side-eye sometimes, and I won’t deny it can be hurtful, but they can fuck right off. They don’t know me or him or what makes us work.”
“I’m sorry shit like that still happens.”
“Not your fault,” Chris said. “It’s something we deal with, and we try not to let it bother us. What matters is that we love each other.” He kissed Sean’s cheek. “The world needs to wake up. So if you really like Leo, who cares if he’s got tattoos and doesn’t wear a suit to work?”
“Yeah, I know. After all, look how well that worked out the first time.” A shudder rolled through him. “It’s not the suits and tattoos. He’s just…” Morgan waved his hand halfheartedly. “I don’t know.”
“You haven’t heard from Jeffrey again, have you?” Sean frowned.
“Not since that phone call. I’m hoping he got the message and moved on.”
“Take your own advice, babe. Leo doesn’t have to be it, but he can be a hell of a lot of fun until the right one comes along.”
At this point Morgan couldn’t even think about the effort required for a new relationship. He barely cared about what he was going to have for dinner.
“Are you guys hungry? We could order in something to go with the wine.”
“Sure. We passed a cute Thai place on our way here.” Chris bounced off the couch, and Morgan couldn’t have been more grateful to have friends he could turn to.
“Thanks, guys. I really appreciate you coming here and hanging out with me. I know I haven’t been much fun this past year, but I think I’m finally getting it together and putting the past behind me.” Morgan hugged Chris, then jumped on Sean, who grabbed hold of him. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Sure you could. You’re stronger than you thought and a fighter. But the thing is, you won’t ever have to. We’re always going to be here.”
Tears collected on his lashes. “I know.”
“And maybe Leo will be too.”
“Knock it off. Come on, let’s get some curry.”
As he picked up his phone and opened the delivery app, he couldn’t help wondering what Leo was doing.
***
The following Sunday found Morgan still thinking about Leo. He’d barely seen the man all week. Not that he’d been looking for him.
Yeah. Say it often enough, and you might believe it.
And talking to Marla had only brought back more thoughts of Leo, even though he did enjoy their chats. She’d called him asking questions about kindergarten for Evan, her younger son, then deftly turned the conversation to how Leo was doing.
“I have no idea,” had been the only answer he could give her, because it was the truth.
He’d spent the last few days trying to understand what the hell had happened between the two of them the previous Sunday, when he’d let down his guard and welcomed Leo inside him.
God, the memory still made him dizzy. What was wrong with him? He’d never had this much sex on the brain before.
Annoyed that he’d wasted yet another day thinking about Leo, he decided to take a walk through the neighborhood to clear his head.
After a two-mile trek, he’d had enough, and pleasantly tired, headed for home. When he rounded the corner to his block, he saw a small