Page 13 of More than Need

“Drunk and disorderly is more than enough to throw you in a cell for twenty-four hours. So is verbally assaulting a police officer. The ride won’t wait forever, so choose which way you want to go,” Riley said. “You and your friend aren’t welcome here.”

“Your fucking sister,” Dawson snarled. “You have a sister, and whether or not you want to acknowledge that, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s true, and that there’s arealperson on the other end that wants to know you. And you made her cry. If that’ssomething that you can live with, then maybe it is for the best that you keep your distance.”

The corner of Riley’s mouth lifted, nothing pleasant in the expression. “Which is it? You want me to speak to her, or you don’t?”

Dawson lunged, and Gideon wrapped him up, pulling him out of Riley’s space. “Not a good move,” Gideon warned him. “It’s time for you to call it a night. Drink some water, get some sleep. Don’t say something you can’t take back.”

Dawson heaved like he’d been running a marathon, jaw tight, eyes blazing. “Fine,” he bit out, shoving away from Gideon. “Sadie is one of the best people I know. She’s kind, and loyal, and the person you want in your corner when the chips are down. I feel sorry for you that you don’t get to know her.”

He slammed the taxi door as he all but fell into the back seat, leaving them in silence only broken by the sounds of the city around them.

Gideon blew out a breath. “Riley—”

“Why did he kiss you?” Riley asked.

Gideon’s breath stuttered as Riley invaded his space. He settled a hand on the side of Gideon’s neck. Heat seared against his skin, and he wanted to arch into the touch.

“I don’t think it was a kiss,” Gideon murmured. It had been more like a drunk guy who couldn’t hold himself up. “I think he had way more alcohol in his system than he presented with.” Those types of people were ones to watch. Lowered inhibitions and not enough presence to be aware of just how compromised they were. Ones who got behind the wheel under the mistaken impression they were fine.

Riley brushed his thumb over Gideon’s lips, tracing the movement with narrowed eyes. “I’m going home.”

“Alone?” Gideon asked huskily, tipping his head up and leaning closer. Riley couldn’t tease him like that and not followthrough. He couldn’t be unaware of just how his actions looked and the message they sent.

Riley’s lips hovered over his, so close he could almost touch them. This is what he wanted. They both did. Whatever they’d started in Riley’s office, it was far from finished.

“What are you so afraid of?” Gideon whispered.

“I’m your boss.”

“And if you weren’t?”

“I am, so it’s an irrelevant question.”

Gideon played with the buttons of Riley’s shirt. What would Riley’s skin feel like? He could admit he’d imagined what Riley might look like naked, in the same way people fantasised about celebrities. A passing fancy that didn’t mean anything. “I want you, and I know you want me.” He wouldneverhave let it get even this far if he didn’t.

Gideon’s lips grazed Riley’s jaw, the light stubble scraping pleasantly over his softness. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

“We’re not doing this,” Riley said firmly, taking Gideon’s hand and removing it from his space. “Enjoy your evening, Gideon.”

Disappointed, Gideon watched as Riley walked away. A nice view, at least: Riley had a phenomenal ass. Gideon had never paid a lot of attention to it in the past, that line between boss and employee firmly in place—not to mention Gideon’s marriage vows.

He was paying attention now.

Chapter 3

Dawson groaned, rolling overin bed. Fucking hell, the pounding in his head needed to stop. Though it sounded a lot like… He opened his eyes, instantly regretting it as pain burst from the bright light.

More pounding.

His front door, not his head. Were they using acannonto knock? Seemed unnecessary. He had a doorbell. Why couldn’t they use that?

Sadie snored loudly next to him, hugging a pillow and taking up way more room than someone her size had any right to. He’d been relegated to the edge. His own fault for leaving and ceding control of the bed space.

He winced. Fuck, he’d really done that. Maybe he’d dreamt it?

Dreamed those crazy fucking blue eyes. The same as Sadie’s and yet so completely different. And the other one, the soft cop who’d rubbed his back while he’d been puking.

Please let that have been a dream.It wouldn’t be hard to conjure someone with Sadie’s eyes. He knew what they looked like, and she’d said they were the same. Easy for his imagination to fill in the rest.

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