with him knowing it wouldn’t go beyond anything physical, but hearing him say out loud they were merely two guys blowing off steam was a little disconcerting.
“You’re not stupid. You’re playing the field. Trust me, if a guy who looked like Leo wanted me and I were single, I wouldn’t say no. Thing is, not everyone has to be ‘the one.’ You can date and sleep with men you know aren’t the right one, the forever guy. That doesn’t make them a mistake.”
“When did you get so smart?” Morgan grumbled with a smile.
“Since I already went through that before finding Sean. You had Jeffrey, and luckily came out of it with your head on straight.”
“And still attached. But you know it wasn’t always like that. He started being abusive when he was up for partner.”
“Don’t make excuses.”
“I’m not,” he said hotly. “I just don’t want you to think I saw it from the beginning and married him anyway. That’s why I was able to escape without him fucking my head up too badly.”
“It was bad enough. And another reason why you should be playing the field. Come on, Morgan. It’s only a date. Derrick is really sweet. I really think you’ll hit it off.”
“And you met him where? Your yoga class?”
“Yeah. So you know he’s in good shape.” Chris waggled his brows. “Not like Leo, but you know how bendy yoga people are. It comes in handy.”
“You can stop anytime, you know.” Morgan shook his head and sipped his wine. “I get the picture.”
But Chris was on a roll. “There are positions Sean and I saw online that we never dreamed were possible in real life, but once I started yoga…man, it’s like our sex life is on another level.”
Sex with Leo had been like that, and Morgan didn’t need to bend himself into a pretzel to fly to the moon. But things had gotten too intense, too quickly, and instead of the fire blazing on, it had burned itself out.
“All right. I’ll go out with him.”
“Fantastic. Expect a call from him today.”
“Wait. You already gave him my number?” Morgan didn’t know whether to laugh or be annoyed.
“No, but I told him I’d be talking to you today, so he’s waiting.”
Jesus, who needed dating apps when you had Chris?
“Okay, okay. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“You’ll talk to me after you have your date with Derrick so you can say ‘Thank you, Chris.’ ”
“I’m hanging up now.”
Laughing, he ended the FaceTime and checked the photo Chris had sent him of Derrick. Slim, with dark hair and an easygoing smile—which was the polar opposite of Leo’s wary, almost haunted expression. Yet when Leo laughed, his eyes sparkled like the ocean and the pain melted away, leaving a man Morgan knew would take more than a date with someone else to forget.
But he’s forgotten me. One last gulp of wine, and Morgan jumped off the couch, determined not to let another day get away from him. He grabbed his wallet, keys, and phone, and off to the grocery store he went. An hour later he was home with enough food for the rest of the week.
Clearly, I overestimated how much I can carry. He struggled from the Uber to the front door with the four bags.
“Here, I got it.”
Two of the bags were pulled from his left hand, and Morgan ignored the spike in his heartbeat. Leo stood in front of him in a white, sleeveless shirt and thin, black gym shorts that should be illegal to wear in public.
“Th-thanks.” Morgan swallowed past the dryness in his throat and unlocked the front door. “I can take them.”
“It’s no big deal. I was coming inside anyway to get a drink.” He held the door open, and Morgan passed by him, greedily inhaling the scent of sweat and hot skin mixed with the tang of his aftershave.
God, he could lick him from head to toe. Wait…he already had, and he ached from the memory.
Leo punched the elevator button. “Having company?”
Morgan shrugged. “You never know.”
Leo said nothing, remaining silent as he trailed Morgan to his apartment. Morgan set the bags on the counter and tipped his head. “You can leave them there. Thanks again.” He busied himself with removing the groceries, then stiffened when Leo slipped his arms around his waist and kissed his neck.
“Are you dismissing me? I thought maybe we could have a little afternoon delight.”
Forgetting his promise to stay strong, Morgan turned and met Leo’s mouth, already anticipating being under him, those big