Page 5 of Forbidden Desires

Suzie

The soft hum of conversation fills the venue as I stand at the edge of the room, sipping a flute of champagne I have no intention of finishing. The wedding ceremony was beautiful and perfect. Exactly what Ethan and Cole deserve. I cried through most of it, especially when Ethan's vows had left everyone in the room a teary mess.

But now? Now I'm just drowning in confusion.

Pete has a boyfriend. A damnboyfriend. The same man who had shattered my heart into a million jagged pieces. And to make it worse—Dexter is hot. Too hot. The kind of hot that makes my skin hum with electricity whenever he's near.

I glance across the room and catch sight of Pete and Dexter standing close together at the bar, chatting like they belong to each other in a way that feels too easy. Too real. Pete leans in to whisper something to Dexter, and the sight of them sends an unexpected pang through my chest.

I force my gaze away and my stomach flips with emotions I can't quite name, nor have any interest in naming.

Our initial reunion and meeting was weird and for lack of a better word... awkward.

"Stop staring," Annie's voice teases from my side, drawing my attention back to the present, and making me jump. My best friend hands me a fresh drink, grinning mischievously. "Or make a move if you're going to look at them like that."

I scoff, taking the glass. "A move? On who?"

Annie gives me a pointed look. "On either of them, both of them? I'm in a happy relationship with two bisexual men."

I pull a face and my friend holds up her hands in apology.

"No! I'm not saying you need to look for a relationship with them, but I have sex with my two men on the regular. And honey, it'shot."

This time I pull a face for a whole other reason. "Annie! Babe! Overshare."

My friend giggles before bumping my hip with hers. "All I'm saying is, it won't hurt to take those two handsome men for a ride. And who knows, you might get Pete out of your system with one last romp."

I groan, slumping against a nearby column. "He's my ex, remember? Not exactly move-making territory."

Annie smirks. "Why not? It just means you know what will work, and what won't." She nods toward the bar. "And they've both been eyeing you up just as much as you have them. You sure you're not interested?"

Before I can respond, the object of our conversation turns and locks eyes with me again. Dexter. His sharp blue gaze pins me in my place, a lazy smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. My heart skips a beat, heat flooding my cheeks.

"Oh my goodness, Annie," I mutter under my breath, shifting nervously. "I hate you."

"You, best-friend-of-mine, love me," Annie replies, clearly delighted by the whole situation.

I take a steadying breath, forcing myself to look away from Dexter. The last thing I need tonight is to give them any ideas.

As the evening wears on,I float through the reception in a haze of emotions. I make polite small talk with relatives and friends and then down another flute of champagne. I shouldn't be drinking to calm my nerves before stealing yetanotherglance at Pete and Dexter whenever they're nearby.

I hate how my body reacts—how just the sight of Pete stirs up old memories, good and bad. And Dexter? He's a whole other problem. One I definitely didn't expect to have. The man is sex walking and every time he catches me staring he smiles or winks.

By the time the first dance starts, I'm vibrating with tension.

I watch Ethan and Cole sway together in the center of the room, their faces lit up with happiness. Pride fills my chest as I take in my happy brother. I'm so grateful he found someone like Cole. Someone who understands him, loves him, and will stand by him.

And yet, I can't seem to shake the weight pressing on my chest.

"Want to dance?"

The low, familiar voice sends a jolt down my spine. I turn to find Pete standing behind me, his hands shoved awkwardly in his pockets.

My throat tightens. "What do you want, Pete?"

He hesitates for a moment, then glances around the room. "I believe I asked for a dance? Can we talk? Just for one song?"

"Why?" I cross my arms, wary. "So you can just get in my face again?"

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