temptation.”
At Roman’s admonishment, a smile snapped to Brett’s lips. He didn’t doubt he had been eating Roman alive with his stare. Brett felt pretty damn intense. Still, he had his pride. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The sexy rumble of laughter that fell from Roman’s lips at Brett’s lie had Brett near to panting. The guy was an incubus. Brett was sure of it. A sigh of relief washed over Brett as they cleared the coffeehouse doorway. The scent of fresh brew lingered in the air. Despite being owned by Wrecker and the memories the place wrought of loving someone who couldn’t love him, The Back Porch still felt like a second home. He genuinely liked the people who frequented the place. Several people called his name and jumped to their feet to hug him, expressing relief that he would be okay. His throat swelled as he realized how many wonderful people he had surrounded himself with the past few years.
Dawson, Wrecker’s new manager, found Brett and Roman a table that would be easy for him to maneuver. The moment they were settled and finished ordering, the vultures set in. As always, Remington and Roscoe were the first to approach. They were dark-haired, light-eyed, and equally beautiful. The pair had met their first day of high school and had been inseparable since. They were a couple, but they liked to play. As far as Brett could tell, they had attempted to sleep with everyone new at The Back Porch since the day the place opened. The pair succeeded more often than they failed.
“May we join you?”
Brett fought an eye roll as the pair spoke in unison. His irritation quickly faded at Roman’s expression. He stared in horror as they kept him locked in their combined stares.
“Is this some type of cult initiation?”
Brett covered his mouth, trying to hide his smile.
Remington wasn’t the least bit put off by Roman’s tone. “Would you like it to be? I’m certain we can find a few… tasks you could handle.”
“He’s with me,” Brett said, cutting in and hoping to save Roman.
Roscoe smirked. “Even better.”
A charming smile snapped to Roman’s lips. In a blink of an eye, Roman transformed, turning fake. He nodded Brett’s way. “This one has my hands full, but thanks for the offer. I’m sure I’ll regret passing up your proposition. You both seem exquisite, but Brett is already more than I can handle.”
Brett had to look away. Roman was too much.
“Maybe some other time,” Remington said as the pair left them alone.
Roman chuckled. The sound had Brett pressing a hand to his stomach as his gaze slid back Roman’s way. Roman shook his head. “Well, that was something.”
Brett felt a strange need to come to the couple’s defense. “They’re harmless.”
“Everyone is harmless if your heart isn’t in it.”
For some reason Brett couldn’t explain, he found himself leaning forward and falling into Roman’s eyes. Roman had so many facets that Brett had yet to uncover. He needed more. “Are you saying your heart is never in it?”
Roman’s mouth quirked in one corner. “We’re not talking about me. Those two are harmless until they meet someone who thinks sex matters. Then their games become very real.”
Brett hid his disappointment. He had hoped to learn more about Roman. “True. I guess they’re pretty safe around this place. No one here believes in fairytale romances.”
“I do, but modern-day fairytales don’t exist. Life isn’t that magical.”
For a moment, Brett found himself speechless. When he added together everything he knew about Roman—the flirting, his job, and the general show he always put on for everyone around him—Brett didn’t come away with a picture of someone looking for love. “You’re a dangerous man.”
A line appeared between Roman’s brows. “How do you figure?”
Brett shrugged. “You could easily make someone see a future with you, but I don’t think you really want that. If you did, someone would have swept you away by now.”
To his surprise, Roman smiled. “Maybe someone already has.”
That sucked the wind from Brett’s sails. He sat back, putting some distance between them. Brett hadn’t realized how close they had moved to each other, leaning over the table as if drawn by an invisible lure. Brett needed space now. It had never occurred to him that there might be someone back in Aspen who owned Roman already. This thing had started as a weekend business transaction. Neither of them had expected that wreck. There was a very real possibility that Brett had been kissing and feeling