Page 7 of Forbidden Desires

But one thing's for sure—things just got a whole lot more complicated.

CHAPTER FOUR

Suzie

After running away like my ass is on fire, I avoid Pete and Dexter for the rest of the night.

Every time I spot one of them drifting through the crowd, my heart lurches, and I bolt in the opposite direction. It's ridiculous, honestly. I kissed them. Both of them. But instead of feeling empowered or smug, I just feel... unsettled. Like I yanked the pin out of a grenade and now I'm waiting for it to blow.

I need a moment to breathe.

Annie finds me sitting at a corner table, swirling the remnant of another champagne flute and desperately wishing it would just give me answers. She slides into the seat next to me, already grinning like a cat that got into the cream. "So... you kissed them."

I groan, sinking lower into my seat. "How do you even know that already? Does everyone know?"

"My eyes, babe. I was born with two of them," Annie says smugly, propping her chin on her hand. "And I have to say, I'm impressed. Making out with two insanely hot men at a wedding? Bold move, Suze. Proud of you."

"Don't be proud. Be worried. So very fucking worried. I don't know what came over me." I drop my head into my hands. "I mean, who even does that? Who just kisses her ex and his gorgeous boyfriend like that?"

"Uh... I hate to break it you babe... but you do," Annie says with a laugh. "And for the record, I'm still very much on board with this. Ride that train. Pete's hot. Dexter's even hotter. You, Suzie, aresmoking. You've got all the ingredients for a night you won't forget. One last hoorah."

I shoot her a look. "You're not helping."

"Wrong," Annie says, tapping her flute against mine. "I'm helping exactly the way you need me to. Stop overthinking it. Take them both on. Get it out of your system, move to your new amazing job, and call it a life experience."

I blink at her, biting my lip. "What if it's weird? Or worse, what if it'sgood? What if it messes me up even more?"

Annie shrugs. "Then it's good. So what? You're moving to Tacoma, remember? Clean slate, new job, fresh start. No one ever has to know."

Her words slither into my brain, sinking deeper with every passing second. Maybe she's right. Maybe one night—just one—wouldn't hurt. I'm leaving in a few days, anyway. It's not like I'll ever have to see them again. Right?

I set my empty glass down with a sharp clink, the decision settling in my chest like a heavy stone. "Screw it. I'm doing it."

Annie whoops, her face lighting up with pure delight. "Nowthat'smy girl!"

As the weddingbegins to wind down, my nerves fire up. I watch Ethan and Cole share a quiet moment under the fairylights, arms draped around each other, faces soft with love. I feel a pang in my chest—not jealousy exactly, but a longing I can't quite explain. I am nowhere near ready to settle down and get married... but it would sure be nice to have that someone, wouldn't it?

Dexter and Pete stand near the exit now, chatting in low voices, looking far too relaxed. It's like they know exactly what they're doing to me, standing there in their fancy suits, both devastating in completely different ways. Dexter, with his sharp blue eyes and that infuriating smirk that makes me weak at the knees. Pete, with his familiar warmth still feels like home in ways I hate.

I exhale slowly. I can do this. Iamdoing this. One night. No regrets.

Before I can chicken out, I grab my clutch, throw Annie a quick wave, and make my way toward the exit. Both men glance up as I approach, their gazes locking onto me like magnets.

"Hitting the road?" Pete asks, his voice low and smooth, the sound sending shivers down my spine.

"Not yet," I murmur, holding his gaze. "If you two are up for company... I was thinking we could, um, go somewhere. Together."

Dexter's grin spreads slowly and easily like he's savoring my words. Pete's expression shifts—surprise flickers there, then something warmer. Something dangerous.

"You sure about that?" Dexter asks, his voice a low rumble that makes my pulse flutter.

No. I'm not. But I nod anyway. "Yeah, I'm sure."

Pete and Dexter exchange a glance—a silent conversation passing between them—and then Dexter extends a hand. "Then let's get out of here."

The rideto Pete and Dexter's place feels like a fever dream. I sit in the backseat, staring out of the window, nerves crackling in my chest. The city lights blur by, and I can't tell if I'm excited or terrified. Maybe both.

Pete drives in silence, his gaze focused on the road, but every so often, I catch him glancing at me in the rearview mirror. Dexter, sitting beside me, lounges back comfortably, his knee brushing against mine just enough to keep my skin buzzing with awareness.

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