But when she leans over the counter smiling at us, and her tits are pressed together and practically hanging out of her top, I tense up.
“So you had a fun evening, didn’t you?” she teases him. “Was thattwogirls I heard?”
“You heard correctly,” he replies with pride in his tone. He’s smiling at her, his eyes firmly set on her face. I can only imagine the feat of strength it’s taking him not to even glance down at her cleavage.
“And they didn’t wear you out?” she asks.
“Isabel…you don’t think I can handle a couple twenty-three-year-olds?”
“You’re getting up there in age. Can’t keep hanging with those sorority girls,” she replies with a sarcastic smile.
“Oh, I could handle thewholesorority.”
She laughs. “I’m sure you could, Drake.”
Meanwhile, I’m leaning against the fridge, watching them go back and forth, a subtle smirk tugging at my lips. I could watch these two go on like this forever. Isabel and I can make jokes and laugh together, but we’ll never have the playful relationship she has with Drake.
And I’m not jealous of that. Because I know that’s all it is. They joke like brother and sister…or at least like best friends.
Which makes sense. The moment she became my girl, he took her on as his friend too. Always looking out for her, treating her like I would, and bringing her right into the fold. As if she always belonged.
But it won’t always be like this. That’s my pessimistic, grim brain talking, but I know deep down that the clock is ticking on our youth. At some point, Isabel will want kids or Drake will settle down. And this family that I have now will change.
And as much as I do want to start a family with Isabel—and Drake to settle down—I hate change. If things could just stay the way they are between us right now, I’d be happy.
They are still going at it, both laughing and jabbing at each other with sarcastic insults, and through it all, his eyes have stayed on her face, never raking over her body or lingering too long on the parts of her I see other men gawk at. I mean…she’s a yoga instructor. She lives in Lycra. And she’s a fucking masterpiece. Who wouldn’t want to look?
But Drake never does.
It’sherexpressions I’m not quite sure I can read. My wife is more discreet than Drake…or men in general. So when she lets her eyes drift to his pecs or bites her lip as she smiles at him, I start to wonder what is going on in that mind of hers. I’d pay anything to know. Even if it meant she was checking him out.
Again…I’m not sure I could blame her. Drake is as easy on the eyes as Isabel. His chiseled abs, golden sun-bronzed skin, dirty blond chin-length hair, and bright as lightning smile…make it fucking hard not to stare.
And I’m straight.
Isabel yawns as she straightens up and reaches for my hand. “Let’s go back to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow.”
Technically, today. We’re meeting with the owners of a sex club here in the city, and it’s the first of four clubs that we’ll tour on this trip to collaborate, share ideas, and discuss brand affiliation. I’m not just here to scout for Salacious, but this is really about the opportunity for expansion. Emerson is considering a second location, and buying out a pre-existing club would be easier.
“Come on, Red,” I whisper, placing Isabel under my arm and kissing the side of her neck. We wave goodnight to Drake, and just before I disappear down the hallway, I take one last glance backward at him, and I’m surprised to see his smile is gone, and he’s watching us leave with an expression of longing on his face.
As Izzy and I crawl back into bed, I ask her, “Does he seem okay to you?”
She laughs. “Is that a serious question?”
“Yeah. I just noticed him looking almost sad.”
“I’m sure he’s just tired. He looked fine while I was talking to him,” she replies, cuddling up on my chest.
“Yeah, that’s because he’s always smiling with you.”
She lifts her head. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” I reply. “Just that you two always seem to make each other laugh. But when no one was looking, he seemed a little down.”
“So why don’t you talk to him tomorrow?” she asks.
“Okay.” With that, I plant a kiss on her mouth and squeeze her tighter against my body. With her heart beating softly against my chest, I start to drift off. Her soft hair brushes against my arm and her delicate breath kisses my skin.