Page 16 of If It Can't Be Us

“Schitt's Creek!” I blurt out without even thinking.

Leo chuckles, “Are you channeling your inner Alexis right now?”

I laugh and shake my head, but then my expression softens. “Have you ever had your heart broken?” I ask, looking at him intently.

He turns somber and breathes out slowly. “Yes, definitely yes.”

Shit just got serious.

“This question doesn’t count, but did you just make this game up?” I ask.

His face lights up, and I can’t help but stare at him. His face is fucking incredible, and that tousled hair of his screams sexy bedroom perfection. He locks eyes with me, his dark brown gaze intense, and a slow, knowing smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.

“No. We used to play this in high school. But instead of betting money, we would bet articles of clothing. A reinvented strip poker, if you will.” His mouth parts into a full smile, showcasing his perfectly straight, white teeth. “I’d be happy to switch the stakes at any time if you'd like,” he adds.

“I bet you would.” In the most seductive way possible, I lean forward and whisper, “It’s a good thing I’m wearing underwear.”

His eyes slowly gaze over my body and land on my chest. A slow, mischievous grin spreads over his face, and he whispers back, “But I see that you are down one bra,” and winks.

A wave of heat washes over my entire body.

Holy shit.

I’m extremely turned on.

The glance.

The whisper.

The British accent.

The dimples.

The wink.

I cross my legs, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. I haven’t felt anything remotely close to this in a long time.

Leo’s playful teasing brings a wave of nostalgia that feels strangely comforting. It reminds me of the way Ben used to joke around, making every interaction light and fun, no matter the situation. For a brief moment, the memory of Ben’s laughter and our playful banter washes over me, bringing both a smile and a pang of loss. I push the thought aside, focusing on the present and the intriguing man in front of me.

Just because I find Leo attractive doesn’t mean I loved Ben any less. Ben was everything to me, and his memory still holds a place in my heart. It’s okay to feel something new, I tell myself.

I excuse myself to the bathroom. My thoughts about Ben and the dull ache between my thighs are distracting… I can’t think straight.Jesus Christ, I’m so turned on—I don’t know if I can handle this.

Chapter 4

LEO

Vivian excused herself to use the restroom, and you better believe I watched her walk away. I haven’t had this much fun with a woman, without it involving sex, in a long time. I have plenty of female friends, and I thoroughly enjoy their company. But I’ve never experienced the thrill of flirting, the fun of light banter, and genuine laughter with someone I’m attracted to, without it leading to sex. I’m in uncharted waters.

I have attractive female friends too. One of my best friends is my colleague, Meredith, who is extraordinarily beautiful. She modeled in her teens and early twenties before coming out, and decided to pursue her passion for psychology. We work in the same therapy office: I specialize in couples therapy—go figure—and she focuses on substance abuse and trauma. Once, when she was single, I jokingly asked her how much money it would take for her to sleep with me, and she responded with, “One million dollars.” I was tempted to see if she’d follow through, but she later told me no amount of money would tempt her because she would rather not inflate my ego. That’s what I love about her. She’s brutally honest, hilarious, and fun. Plus, there’s never any sexual tension because she’s not interested in men, and now she’s married. It’s easy.

Vivian returns, sliding gracefully into her seat with a smile that could light up the entire room.

“Whose turn is it?” she asks.

“I believe it’s my turn.” Pondering, I rub my chin. “I’ve got to make it good—you’re getting low on cash, Walker.” Calling her by her last name doesn’t come naturally, but I force myself to do it to keep things platonic and friendly. I cannot sleep with this woman.

I glance at her, a crooked smile spreading across my face. I can’t believe I’m about to ask this. “What’s your favorite sex position?”

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