Page 76 of One Touch

Cole’s eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”

“Yep, we had sex. Twice so far.”

He opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, the tailor popped his head around the door, his mustache twitching. “Espresso, gentlemen?”

“I’m gonna need something stronger,” Cole said.

“Double espresso?”

“I think we’re good for drinks, thank you,” I said.

The tailor nodded and disappeared from the fitting room.

“When were you going to tell me?”

“Uh, right now?”

“How long has this been going on? Jesus, does Elara. . . .” He trailed off, realization dawning on his face. “I knew she was keeping something from me. This makes so much sense. Fuck, man, this is crazy!”

“It’s nothing. It just sort of happened. We both wanted something casual.”

“Where have I heard this before?”

Argh. That smug look was enough to drive me berserk.

“It’s nothing.”

“Sure, sure,” said Cole, nodding sarcastically. “It’s so nothingy that you had to tell me about it.”

“It’s just physical. We’re both determined that it won’t develop into anything . . . emotional.”

Cole grinned. “You fucking need this, Ethan. You deserve it. Fuck. Lily? Damn, she’s even younger than Elara.”

“Don’t.”

“You dirty, dirty dog, Ethan McCoy.”

“I’m perfectly clean, thank you.”

“Sounds like you’ve got it bad, bro,” Cole said, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I undid the button of his shirt collar, but I still felt as though I couldn’t breathe.

“So tell me,” said Cole, staring at me. “If this thing between you and Lily is so much goddamn fun, then why do you look like you’ve been run over by a bus this morning?”

I shrugged. “Like I said, I’m tired.”

“Right. Tired from all that no-strings sex you’ve been having.”

“Only twice.”

Cole nudged me playfully. “Know what’s a helluva lot less tiring than no-strings fucking?”

I frowned. “No, what?”

“Strings fucking.”

“Strings fucking. Right. And what exactly are you talking about, Cole?”

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