Page 111 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

“Very nice,” he murmurs, giving me a squeeze.

“Hey, now,” I say teasingly. “Hands off unless you plan on bidding tonight.”

He makes an affronted sound. “I can’t sample the goods?”

“Nope.”

“Not even a little sample?” he mutters, lips drifting along my neck. He kisses beneath my jaw and inhales. “Fuck, you smell good.”

“Do I?” I ask, my pulse stuttering.

“Mm. Like freshly cut wood and man. You smell like you.”

I pull in a shaky breath, spinning to face him. His eyes, such a clear green, smile back at me. “You’re trouble,” I tell him.

He pouts. “I thought you said I was a good boy.”

I bite my lip. “Do you wanna be?”

“This feels like a trick question,” he says slowly.

I huff a laugh, holding out my hand. “C’mon, bub. Time to offer ourselves up for charity.”

The charity auction is being held in a hotel ballroom downtown, just north of The Strip. Neon lights brighten the façade of the building, as well as nearly every business to either side. People pass on the sidewalk as I hand my keys off to the valet, gambling and other entertainment to be had just down the street.

The inside of the lobby is nearly as packed, guests checking in or going out for the night, those dressed in cocktail attire heading in the direction of the ballroom, same as us.

We’re almost to the open double doors when someone calls out an excited, “Brad?”

“Oh shit,” Brad says with a smile. “Here we go.”

“Itisyou,” the short blonde guy says, breaking away from the two men with him to launch himself at Brad. It’s hard to say who hugs who tighter. “It’s so good to see you, sweets. It’s beenages.”Stepping back, the newcomer eyes me. “And who, pray tell, is this gorgeous specimen you brought with you?”

Brad gives my shoulder a squeeze. “Alex, this is Joey Delgado, my kangaroo. But don’t call him that. I’d hate to have to fight you. Joey, this is Alex Monroe and his boyfriends. Hey, Finn. Rowan.”

The two men with Alex return Brad’s greeting, having reached us, and I give my own hello as Alex assesses me. “My, my. And is Joey your…friend?” he asks Brad, eyes sparkling in a way that feels strangely familiar, although I’m fairly certain I’ve never met the guy before.

Brad huffs a laugh. “You could say that.”

Alex cocks his head, but another couple approaches, one man with curly brown hair tied up in a bun and the other scowling, his broad frame hugged by his suit jacket.

“Small fry,” the scowler says, addressing Alex but raising an eyebrow Brad’s way. “Please tell me you’re not corrupting the straight boy again?”

“’Scuse you, Grumpy Bear,” Alex says, hands on his hips. “When have Iever?”

The so-calledGrumpy Bearholds up one finger and then two. “Cas’s going-away party. Countless times at the club.”

“Teddy and Kipp’s engagement party,” the curly-haired one adds. The grump pops up another finger.

“Rude,” Alex says. “For your information, I never forced Brad to dance with any of those men. And Dixon, Niko, this is Joey, Brad’s friend.”

“Funny story,” Brad starts. “Turns out, I’m not actually st—”

“Nice to meet you,” Niko, the curly-haired man says, not having heard Brad’s mumble. “You’ll have to excuse…well, all of us, really.”

“Do I…know you from somewhere?” I ask, that feeling of déjà vu returning with Niko, same as Alex.

Niko smirks.

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