HOW DID EMILY LET HERSELFget sucked into this? She uncurled herself from the chair in Justin’s office that she’d fallen asleep in. Someone had draped her jacket over her at some point during the night, and it tumbled to the ground as she sat up.
She should have left after dinner last night, but the conversation turned back to work and brainstorming and which Batman franchise of movies was the best. She did a quick scan of the room and found Justin asleep on one of the couches. Heat flooded her cheeks as memories of what else happened on that couch rushed back. She’d need to learn to control that reaction before she had to be in here with someone else again.
Did Antonio go home? She didn’t blame him. She needed to do the same, shower, change, and get back here in time for her real shift.
She combed her fingers through her hair. Carrying her shoes, so they didn’t clack against the tile, she took the stairs down two floors. It was barely six, but she didn’t want to run into anyone while she still wore yesterday’s clothes. The lights were out, as she padded toward her desk, the only illumination coming from streetlights that streamed through the windows and the dark gray of the sky, as the sun teased the skyline.
Her cellphone sat on her desk, and she swiped it out of habit. A handful of messages from Cynthia waited for her, starting at midnight and trickling every hour or two.
It’s late. Making sure you’re all right.
You’re not home yet. You pick someone up again?
It’s 3. It’s Thursday. This isn’t like you.
Reply and tell me you’re alive.
Em, I swear to God, I’m calling the police if I don’t hear from you soon.
The last one was from about five minutes ago. Emily sent back a quick reply.I swear I’m all right. I’ll be home in thirty and give you the short version.
A reply came through before the light faded from her phone.You’d better.
Emily smiled at the concern and dropped the device in her purse. She turned and almost face-planted in Antonio’s chest. A startled squeak escaped her. Her shoes fell to the ground. “Shit. Sorry.” She settled her hand on her ribs, her heart hammering against her palm. “I didn’t know anyone was here.”
“I didn’t mean to startle you.” He put a few inches between them, a casual smile dancing on his lips. His hair clung damp and dark to his skin, and the faint scent of body wash teased her. “Justin and I have done this enough I’m in the habit of keeping a change of clothes on hand and using the showers in the gym downstairs. Both of us do that, actually.”
“You’re insane. You know that, don’t you?” she teased. Last night was fun, and working through problems was exhilarating, but she couldn’t fathom how Justin and Antonio had kept up a schedule like this for six months. After one night, she wanted all the coffee and a short day so she could go home and get some real sleep.
He chuckled. “I’ve been called worse. I’d offer you something to wear, in case you wanted to do the same, but...” He trailed his gaze over her, and goosebumps rose everywhere his eyes traveled. “Size differences aside, all I have left is a pair of sweat shorts—it’s been a long week—and your manager doesn’t take casual Fridayquitethat far.”
Maybe not, but he did justice to what he had. Instead of his standard dress shirt, tie, and slacks, he wore a T-shirt and jeans. She didn’t know which style of dress was more alluring, but this one gave her a glimpse of something she’d never noticed before. Justin wasn’t the only one with tattoos. A hint of what looked like scales peeked above the collar of Antonio’s shirt, though it was difficult to make out details in the dark.
She forced her fingers to stay by her side, rather than reach up and trace the ink. “I appreciate the offer, but my roommate is panicked. I have to get home anyway.”
“You’re coming back, though.” Despite his smile, seriousness bled into his statement. “No problems looking me in the eye?”
“I’m coming back. And no—I’m doing fine, thank you.” In fact, if she didn’t train her attention on his face, she’d be staring at the way his shirt hugged his torso and his jeans hung off his hips. Wondering what his ass looked like. His eyes were the safest place for her focus. She needed to stop. Sleeping with one was bad enough. Lusting after both... Well, it still didn’t seem detrimental, but it would get distracting really fast.
Antonio stepped aside and gave a short bow as he gestured to the doors. “I’m glad to hear it. See you in an hour or two.”
* * * *
AS A GENERAL RULE,momentum kept Justin going. It prevented him from overthinking, from talking himself out of good ideas, and from backing down. Emily stalled that. She made him pause long enough to question things, and that was dangerous.
It meant he was wasting large parts of his Friday morning staring at his personal finances and the various pieces of the company forecast, instead of catching up on work during his precious between-meeting time. The upside, if there was one in all of this, was that the task kept his mind from drifting back to the other conundrum he wanted to blame her for but couldn’t.
He’d managed to ignore the nagging thought most of the week, telling himself that last weekend, using Antonio as a prop to turn up the heat and get laid was simply fun and games—a way to get the playful redhead to go home with him. Seeing her again made him doubt his motivations.
Talking to Tony Sr. was the first catalyst though. The reminder Antonio might not always be here tumbled pebbles loose in Justin’s head that were attached to fear. He couldn’t lose his business partner. His best friend.
She was wondering if those cute gay friends of mine...Andrew’s words echoed in Justin’s head. An ages-old taunt that Justin always shrugged off, because it was easier to do that than focus on Justin’s shifting feelings that his attraction might be more than a simple appreciation for Antonio’s handsome form.
When Antonio walked in on Justin and Emily, the ambivalence threatened to split Justin in two. A surge of desire to make fantasy a reality clashed with the nagging suspicion that Justin had crossed a line Antonio wouldn’t forgive.
Justin shook the thoughts aside. Exhaustion and stress were screwing with his head, and he needed it clear, to move forward. He closed his eyes and counted down from ten, forcing out a distraction with each number. When he reached zero, he picked up the phone and dialed a familiar extension.
Antonio answered on the second ring. “Hey.”