Page 43 of Dreamboat

“I’m not talking about Donovan anymore.”

“He wants you,” she says matter-of-factly. “I was peeking around the corner and he was looking at you like he wanted to tie you up and do amazing things to you.”

I laugh. “You got all of that from spying on us?”

“Yes.” She smiles. “I vote for you to go for it.”

“I don’t recall agreeing to vote on it.” I lean my hip against the counter. “Matt walked in here and introduced me to Donovan. Neither of us corrected him by explaining that we already know each other. Do you know how awkward that felt? It was a lie of omission and if I fall back into bed with his boss, how do I face my brother?”

“With a clear conscience and no regrets.”

“With guilt and fear,” I correct her. “I could fall for him, Nikita. I could seriously fall for Donovan and he’s not looking for that.”

“You can keep it light and fun,” she insists. “I’ve slept with men who were just fuck buddies. I went into it knowing that and left those situations clear minded and satisfied.”

“I’m not you,” I remind her. “My heart has been broken once. You and Matt helped me pick up those pieces. He could tell I was in pain without me telling him. I would never be able to hide this from him.”

“You never told him who you fell in love with in Paris, did you?”

His name was Aiden Bacri. Matthew has never heard of him. Before I arrived in France to study for a semester, I hadn’t either, but I fell hard and fast for the man who makes a living from sketching portraits of people he passes on the streets of Paris.

He’s somewhat of a folk hero there since he’s sketched many of the world’s most notable celebrities when they’re visiting the city of lights.

The day I confessed my undying love for him, he left hours later when I fell asleep. The only evidence of his abandonment was a portrait he sketched of me with four words written in his handwriting on the back of it.

It’s over. I’m sorry.

“Matt doesn’t know about Aiden,” I tell her. “Only you do.”

“I’ll be the only one who knows about Donovan, too.” She smiles. “I’ll hold your secrets forever, Delia. If something goes wrong with him, I’ll be your shoulder to lean on.”

She taps each of her shoulders.

I can’t help but smile, too. “It’s too risky. He’s such an integral part of Matt’s life, and his future. He loves his job at the clinic. A complicated mess between his boss and me can’t happen.”

“You’re trading what could be a whole lot of fun for something that may never happen.”

I toss her a look meant to convey how I want this conversation to end.

“You might be the one to dump Donovan after you’ve had your fill of him.” She leans closer. “By fill I mean his cock.”

I let out a laugh. “I know what you meant.”

“If you view him as just a great fuck and not as a long term partner, nothing can go wrong.”

“You’re dead wrong about that.” I close my eyes briefly, trying to ward off an approaching headache. “I’m hungry so I’m going to get dinner for us before I leave you and this conversation behind.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Donovan

Just as I round the corner headed back to Wolf Candy after work, I spot Delia in front of me.

Her ass in a pair of tight faded jeans is a sight for my sore eyes.

I got a perfect view of her flawless face earlier when I was at the store with her brother. I could tell that Delia was uncomfortable, but being the selfish asshole I am, I spit out that I wanted to take her back to bed.

Pacing myself around her is not an easy task.

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