as though this isn’t something bigger than it is. The amusement in his tone should make me laugh, but I’m completely speechless. “What? Cat caught your tongue, ma coccinelles?”
“You drop, like, the biggest bomb on my lap, dude. What do you think?” I mock. Is it true? There’s no way—
“Yeah, Gray’s mom was a peach,” he confirms.
—it’s true.
“Wow,” is all I get out. I’m seriously at a loss here. How the hell does one cope with that level of crazy? No wonder Gray keeps her distance when it comes to topics of the heart. That’d be rough.
“Yeah, but it’s all over now. I’m happier than I’ve ever been.” As he says the words, I see the possibilities of everything he and Gray have been through. It makes me want to hug the sadness out of them, fix them somehow, and help... but how do you help a man and a kid who have everything?
“That’s good,” I finally respond.
“Anyway,” he starts, staring at me with interest. “Where are you headed in that?” He says that like he can’t say anything more without being too forward. I appreciate it. I’m so close to just asking him if he’s interested and seeing if it leads to anywhere. It couldn’t. I wouldn’t. But God, does it sound nice.
“An event my father pimped me out to,” I groan. Hanging my head in shame for just thinking it’s something I’d do, I hope he doesn’t see me as weak. We may barely know one another, but for some reason, him seeing me as frail makes me sadder than it should.
A few seconds pass, the silence feeling like sensory overload rather than the opposite. He tips my chin up; his soft fingertips—nothing like how a working man’s hands would feel—caress my skin, feathery soft, warm, and with care. I can’t hold back the tiniest grin, loving how each move feels calculated and kind. Full of promise and suggestion. Two things I’m not allowed to want. I shouldn’t even consider it with what happened with Wes only three days ago.
“Don’t go,” he whispers, so close—too close if we consider Gray.
“I-I,” I stumble over excuses and reasons, not knowing which way is up or down. His warring gray eyes, stubbled cheeks, and rosy lips mere inches from mine. “I have to.” It’s a weak attempt at words, but it gives me some ground.
“You can always stay here... with me,” he suggests. His breath is warm on my lips, yet I’m shivering and unable to think of words. Gray’s dad is too much. And if I allow myself to stay, things will only get bad—better for me—bad for Gray.
I won’t do that to her.
I can’t.
Begrudgingly, I pull back. The need to seal my lips to his, to take his mouth with everything I have, and have him make me feel good, burns my skin. It’s prickled with unused energy and unsatisfied desire. “I’ll see you when I get back, Francis.” It’s all I can offer. It’s all we can ever be. I look back at him before leaving the door, and his gaze sets my skin ablaze. His desire swims in his irises like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I bite my lip to avoid running to him, but it seems to only propel him to me. In the next moment, he’s face-to-face with me, cupping my jaw tenderly.
His lips descend on mine in a hot second, brushing mine with soft fervor and passion, making my heart rebel against my chest. We kiss for only seconds, moments flurrying like embers to the sky, and then we break apart. My gaze lands on him, seeing the ardor seeping from his expression, letting me know everything I need to know.
I have to leave.
“I’m sorry,” he placates, his voice grittier, his accent stronger than ever. “I didn’t want to live the rest of my life not knowing.” Words are stuck in my throat, my need to get out of here increasing, so I grab my overnight bag and force my legs to move outside the room and out the front door.
Chapter Ten
The Night Before
Toby
I arrive in Vegas three hours after clicking RSVP. Dale called me immediately, excited for me to come. He said since it was such a late addition, he wouldn’t be able to have a reserved seat for me.
The party is in five hours, and I have my best black and white three-piece Dior suit ready for the occasion. The plan consists of doing my normal ten-thousand-dollar donation and then some for