Page 41 of Charmed By Destiny

Richard tugged the lace-up shirt he’d chosen for the reception over his head. “Nothing. We work together.”

“I think you should have sex with him.”

“I think you’ve lost your damn mind,” Richard retorted, wiggling out of his dress pants. His hormones applauded Maribeth’s solution immediately, but the rest of him was far too cautious to ponder the possibility. Or admit that he’d contemplated it.

“What do you have to lose?”

“Oh, I don’t know, Mari…my dignity. Or any sense of professionalism. Have you ever considered that he might reject me? Just because I’d jump him doesn’t mean he’d do the same to me.”

“At least you’re finally admitting that you want to jump him.”

“Frankly, I’d make a conservative estimate that at least half the world’s adult population would easily jump the man given the chance. He’s gorgeous.”

“But he’s more than that or you wouldn’t still be crushing on him three months later. The other guys you slept with happened because you rushed into it without having a conversation with any of their vapid asses. Like I’ve told you a million times, if you’d taken a second to consider things, you would’ve made better choices. They were assholes. You deserve better.”

Richard tugged on a pair of black slacks over his thong and fastened them. “Mari, you don’t know that. I was attracted to them. Beautiful is my type. It wasn’t a one-off thing that didn’t work out. I had three awkward, uncomfortable sexual encounters. Maybe it’s me. Perhaps it had nothing to do with them being assholes. It’s just as likely that it’s my fault. I’m not cut out for sex. Romance. Any of that.”

“Bullshit. You’re almost a virgin, and it’s easy to pick the wrong one. Lucas could be the right one.”

The same deep part of Richard that was drawn to Lucas whispered that Maribeth had a point. But Richard was frightened of that part of him. Or of making himself vulnerable again.

“Mari, think about the consequences,” Richard demanded, trying to stay on track and not be swayed into ignoring every rational thought in his head and throwing caution to the wind. “What about tomorrow? Or Monday morning when we have to work together?”

“Look, if it’s terrible or awkward, you transfer. We have several casinos on the Strip. Go work at one of them. Run the conference services there. Transfer the director to your spot, it’d be a promotion for them and Douglas can walk them through training.”

“Give up my job?” Richard asked, wondering why the thought didn’t immediately appall him. Perhaps it was because he knew he could excel at any of the resorts and the work would invigorate him no matter which Marwood property he managed.

“Tell you what. If you need to transfer, I’ll consider moving back. If I do, you can train me to run it with you.”

Richard’s gaze widened. “What?”

“Take a chance, Richard. That’s all I’m asking.”

“I don’t know if I can,” Richard whispered. Maribeth rushed over and pulled him into her arms. He clung to his cousin. Was he truly considering spending a night with Lucas?

“Immortality isn’t necessarily forever, babe. That’s a lie we tell ourselves, but death finds many of us. I don’t want you to live trapped in this box you’ve built for yourself. Consequences hurt sometimes, but they don’t have to. Or maybe we need those painful moments to appreciate the good ones. I don’t know, but I can’t stand the thought of you spending eternity alone and scared. One night, Richard. For a single night, let your reservations go and risk something. I’ll be there to catch you if you fall, I promise.”

Richard wanted to remind her she’d moved to New York and he couldn’t run to her to cry out his hurts anymore, but he refused to make her feel guilty for doing the things he was far too scared to attempt. She was right. He’d made rigid rules for himself to avoid complications because it was a far easier path than the alternative.

But could he step out of his box and risk his job for a romp in the sheets with Lucas? Richard wasn’t sure yet, but he couldn’t deny that the idea was tempting. Far too alluring for Richard not to give it considerable thought.

???

Hours had passed, and while Richard had eaten his meal with gusto, he’d kept his alcohol consumption to a minimum. He needed a clear head. Maribeth had given him far too much to think about, and he didn’t want his judgement clouded by anything.

To be fair, he had to decide if he wanted to set aside professionalism to act on his feelings without bringing his past into the equation. Those men weren’t Lucas, and it wasn’t his fault Richard had acted impulsively.

But was jumping into bed with a coworker impetuous too? As the time raced by and Richard danced the evening away, he’d come to a single conclusion—he knew very little about anything. Because despite the many reasons he should’ve outright dismissed Maribeth’s preposterous idea, he wanted to jump at the opportunity.

Once the thought of getting his mouth and hands on Lucas had been planted earlier, he couldn’t stop thinking about it. How would he taste? Where did he like to be touched? Would his eyes stay the same unclouded gray as he came?

“Richard,” Douglas called out.

Like Richard, the inspirit had spent much of his night on the dance floor. It pleased Richard. He’d feared Douglas wouldn’t relax, but he’d been wearing a smile for hours.

Happy that Douglas was in a good mood, Richard pulled the inspirit into a tight hug. “Thanks for everything you did for the wedding. It was wonderful thanks to you,” Richard told him and planted a kiss on his cheek.

“It was a team effort,” Douglas replied, color blooming on his face.

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