Page 6 of Privileged (Adrenalin)

My soda threatens to rush out my nose as I cough through an awkward swallow.

“It’s not like that. I’m notrubbing, I’m focusing on precise areas of tension and working them out. It’s never aroused anyone before.”Okay, maybe I was rubbing Carter a little.The man’s body is as hard as a sculpture while also smooth to the touch. Could he tell I liked it? Did I cause it? God—does he think I was feeling him up?

“Maybe he’s kinky like that,” Beck volunteers.

“Don’t say kinky in my presence, Beckett.” Lennon points a warning finger at his chest, pulling out the big guns with his full name. “I can’t lie and if your mom asks me where you heard that word I’ll be forced to tell.”

“I’m twenty. She’ll just have to accept that my vocabulary extends to sex now. Anyhow—” Beck turns to me “—if you didn’t do anything how’d you shoot him down?”

“I just told him that wasn’t part of the job. He was apologetic about it.” After being snarky, but if the roles were reversed and I was the one sporting an ill-timed erection, I’d probably have done the same thing.

All things considered, he wasn’t the world’s biggest asshole. Though as the thought crosses my mind, I realize he didn’t even ask my name.Rude. It’s kind of the least you can do after flashing a boner at someone, in my opinion. Then again, I could’ve introduced myself before we got started like a professional would, only I was too distracted by his looks. I guess that makes me just as guilty.

“Was he hot?” Beck interrupts my train of thought.

Once again, I try to find the answer by gnawing on my cheek. “Have you ever seen someone and gone completely blank? Like you momentarily forget where you are and what you should be doing?”

Lennon whistles softly. The kind of whistle that says I’m in trouble.Dammit.As if I need a reminder.

“How big did you say his tent was?” Beck asks as he reaches for more silverware under Lennon’s watchful gaze, holding up first a spoon, then a fork, then a knife. When I don’t dignify him with an answer he sucks in a ragged breath and whistles. “Damn. Well, I know what I’m getting you for Christmas… A memory foam seat cushion. You’re going to need it if you’re taking that sort of behemoth-sized trouser snake up the back door. That’s some third degree organ rearrangement.”

“Beckett,” Lennon hisses, snapping the towel at him again.

“Don’t get carried away.” I shake my head as if Beck is being dramatic while trying to keep a neutral expression on my face.It seemed sooo big. Then I had to panic and fucking called it hisbusinesssince I was afraid saying cock might earn me a pink slip. Not my proudest moment, butdamn. I dare anyone to keep their wits about them in the presence of a specimen like that. “And I’m with Lennon, I can’t talk about my client’s dick with you.” I hope my voice is steady enough that they don’t suspect I’ve been thinking about it non-stop.

“I knew it,” Beck retorts.

“I didn’t say it was that big.” I squint my eyes at him, “It was just weird.”

“Creepy, unnatural weird, like something is wrong with the man? Or was it like sexy weird?” Lennon inquires. “Asking for a friend.”

I rub my jaw while I consider the question. Under normal circumstances I’d probably find it creepy. But Carter is every bit as gorgeous as the rumors suggested, and the idea that I could make a guy like that hot and bothered, well, it’s kind of flattering. It gives me a bit of a rush, complete with the pounding heartbeat and shortness of breath. I don’t even want to think of what that says about me.

“Oh my God, you liked it.” Lennon’s eyes sparkle mischievously.

“I didn’t say that.” I roll a set of silverware in a napkin and reach for another.

“You didn’t have to. It’s written all over your face.”

“Smoking hot and an extra large firehose? Are you sure you didn’t have fun last night?” Beck studies me critically.

“I’m sure.” That’s technically true, although knowing what Carter may have gotten up to after I left fueled all sorts of fantasies that made my night considerably less boring.Thank God my sister Ally and her husband Finn were having date night so my takeover of the bathroom went unnoticed.

“Think he’ll be back?” Beck licks his lips.

“I have no idea. But it doesn’t matter. I could lose my license if I cross the line with a client, so it’s a moot point.”

“Boring.” Beck crosses his arms with a huff.This guy’s got brat written all over him. If he’s not just curious he’ll make some guy very happy one day.

“You both going to Maddox and Cade’s wedding this weekend?” I change the subject.

“Of course. I’m doing a reading.” Beck perks up at the mention of his de facto brother.

“For a few hours, but I’ve got to get back for the dinner rush.” Lennon stands, his break clearly over.

“Don’t you ever take time off?” Over the course of the last year, I’ve hardly seen the man outside this restaurant, and while I admire his determination, I can’t fathom how he never gets burned out.

“Nope. Fortunately, I love what I do.” He takes the bin of rolled silverware and heads toward the stockroom to finish getting ready for the evening rush.

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