Page 24 of Just Between Us

“What? No,” I say because technically I didn’t. I sucked Levi’s dick and God it was so good. I’m almost embarrassed at how enthusiastic I was.

“Okay, Kai Thomas, whatever you say.” He eyes me for a second before he turns back to his computer without another word. I take that as permission to get stuck into my own work.

As the morning goes on, I try my best to banish thoughts of Levi and Cole or anything that happened Saturday night. I force myself to forget the lightness I felt, my empty thoughts and the feeling of the present. I forget the way heat pooled inside me, the way they both looked at me like I was something to ruin—how badly I wanted to be ruined.

It was a mistake, and they have probably moved on anyway.

By the time I’m in a meeting with Marie and the rest of the team, I’ve almost forgotten about it all until my phone buzzes in my pocket.

Levi Bellamy: Hi Kai, :) Dinner tonight?

I stare at it for a long moment unsure what to do or say. I didn’t expect to hear from him at all. Throughout the day, I managed to convince myself that Saturday was some wild exception for them, that they were open to experiment but that was the end of it. I could ease my crush, and they could… I don’t know what they both wanted.

I keep looking at my screen, no clue what to say even though I know I should respond soon.

“You good?” Connor asks me from across the table.

I look up at him and then back at my phone. “Yeah, all good,” I say even though I sound like nothing is good.

He nods and stands to leave. I think he says goodbye but I’m too focused on the phone in my hand.

Finally, I type a response because whilst I’m sure this was all a heat-of-the-moment situation, dinner might help clear the air. Maybe this will be some sort of closure even though I was pretty okay with them forgetting I exist.

Me: Sure. Where?

I figure that sounds casual enough. Casual. Chill. Like me.

Levi Bellamy: Our place? 7 p.m.

The fact that it’s at their place makes things harder. The memories of them kissing me flood my mind and suddenly I am hot all over, but I can handle this. They will tell me Saturday was a mistake and I’ll forget this ever happened. Easy.

Me: See you then

By the time 7 p.m. comes, I’m freshly showered and standing in front of the navy-blue door with a golden knocker. The evening is bitingly cold, the streets wet after smatterings of rain. This area of London is quiet, with expensive cars lining the streets that lead to refurbished townhouses and Georgian terrace homes.

My heart is in my throat when the door swings open and a short woman with grey hair looks up at me with a bright smile. “You must be Kai,” she says warmly. “I’m Aleeta. Come in and get out of the cold.”

She moves aside to let me in and I almost gasp when I step into the entrance hall. I didn’t get the chance to fully take in their home on Saturday but it’s like I’ve been thrust into an Architectural Digest magazine. Light herringbone tiles are covered by a blue Turkish rug and the staircase is lit up by golden lights that are set at the sides.

But it’s not the rug or the stairs that catches my eye. It’s the small gallery of photos on the wall, placed above an antique table that holds different sets of keys. I spot three BMWs. My eyes scan the wall, focusing on the black-framed pictures. A few are of Levi and Cole in what look like exotic locations, and others include who I guess are their families.

They seem to have this incredibly full life.

“They should be in the kitchen,” Aleeta says, pulling my attention away from the pictures. I give them one last look and follow behind her, swallowing down my nerves. I know how this is going to go but when I see them both, my heart stutters, the heat spreading up my throat to my face.

When I walk into the open-plan kitchen that leads into the huge living room, my throat feels a little dry. I was on my knees for Levi on Saturday and now I’m here so they can tell me it was a mistake. I try not to think about it as my eyes shift to Levi.

He’s in black shorts and a compression shirt that shows off the tattoos that run down his arms. His dark hair is slightly damp and messy like he’s just come from the gym or a run.

“Kai,” he says with a bright smile.

“Hey,” I say, my voice coming out a little hoarse.

My eyes fall on Cole. He’s sitting by the white marble breakfast counter that overlooks dark grey cupboards with silver hardware.

I realise I’ve been caught off guard every time I’ve seen Cole because nothing is wrong with him; everything is in perfect symmetry and so sharp. There is something assuredly beautiful about him like he’s looked like this all his life and never had to concern himself with anything as inconvenient as a pimple.

I realise I should probably stop ogling and say something else, just to avoid feeling awkward but Aleeta beats me to it.

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