Page 73 of The Liar's Reckoning

“Well,” I say, “You’ve gotta admit—it sounded a little extreme, but I understand why you felt like you should do it. And it’s good you found someone you can be honest with.”

“It’s starting to feel like I’m leading her on.”

“Hey, if you can be married to someone who gets you, andyou’re able to get off with her, you’re doing better than a lot of other couples.”

“Right, except…”

“Except what?” I ask after several seconds when he fails to finish his sentence.

“I just wish I wanted that.”

“I think you do want it, Graham. And it sounds like you found a way to make it work. Congratulations,” I say, surprised by the tinge of bitterness in my tone. Upon further examination, I think I might be a little jealous of this man who seems to have it all. At least on paper.

“I don’t want her to love me like that,” he clarifies.

“Why not?”

“Because it’s a lie,” Graham says.

I look him in the eyes again. “Is it?”

“Why would you ask that? Do you see me right now?”

“What am I supposed to be seeing?”

“The guy who dropped everything when you called. The one who’s telling himself it’s just a nap—it’s not cheating.”

“I’m not gonna make you cheat on your wife,” I tell him. “Again, I mean.”

“I don’t know how you can say that when you’re lying there looking like that.”

I heat up with that statement. “I’ll go,” I say weakly.

“No.” He slides his hand around my neck to bring our faces close. “You won’t. Please. Don’t.”

All of a sudden, I don’teverwant to leave. Something profound changes with that one gesture. With those particular words. Something clicks into place between me and him. An understanding? A bond. Affection for him and gratitude—deep, deep gratitude—hits me out of nowhere.

My mouth meets his—I’m the one who does it, who closes the distance. Any excuse to get his arms around me again. It works too, because as his tongue licks over mine, our bodies presstogether. I shiver with how good he feels. My leg wraps around his in a reflex move to keep him from backing away. I kiss him harder, hungry for the taste of him. Icing and coffee.

My cock, which I thought would be hiding out for the rest of the day, rises hard against the pressure of his full erection. His body is warm and big and reassuring as he wraps me up with it. Our hungry mouths dive deeply into each other’s, taking and taking. My hand moves up his back, into his hair. Our hips move slowly together, as firm and needy as the kiss. I like him so much.

Too much.

I tear my mouth away and breathe. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have texted.”

“Why did you?”

“I wanted you,” I admit.

“I want you, too.”

“You’ve got shit to lose. I don’t.”

“That’s bullshit.”

He’s right for a hundred reasons which he only knows the half of. I don’t just want him—he’s become theonlyone I want. The fact that we can never be together in any real way only makes me want him more. “You don’t get to call me on my bullshit,” I say. “You take it or leave it.”

“I’ll take it.” His mouth crashes into mine again, and our grind grows more frenzied. He gropes my ass, squeezing tight, and does something salacious with his tongue. All of a sudden I’mcoming. No warning—no chance to get a hold of myself—like a virgin on his first hot date. “Unh…fuck…Jesus,” I groan as my cock spasms, and I spill into my shorts.

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