Page 60 of Candy Hearts
Sasha shrugged. “I don’t mind. You?” She looked at Perry. Perry shook his head.
“Okie dokie. I’ve slept with William, years ago, and Sasha and Perry,” Wren said. Benji choked on his drink. He’d always pegged Perry as a bit innocent, but innocent men didn’t have threesomes, right?
Manuel and Avi were, apparently, into watching other people but didn’t join in.
“And you, William?” Benji asked, trying to smother his grin.
“Well, Wren. And Avi kissed me once when we were twenty.”
“That was after you told your accounting professor about your amorous feelings via email while asking for a deadline extension,” Avi said, chill as ever. “You’d been moping for a week, so I asked Wren what was up with you. I thought a kiss would heal the sting of embarrassment.”
Amusement and noise exploded in the circle at that evident bombshell. William’s eyes flashed wide, and he playfully glared at Wren. She was laughing so hard tears were leaking out of her eyes.
Benji was also intensely aware of the love in this house. This oddball group of friends loved each other, and it had nothing to do with sex. They might not see each other very often or talk all the time, but they loved each other.
Benji was fucking jealous.
“Spin the bottle, William,” Wren said, her voice teasing.
William spun the bottle and, unfortunately, it landed on Sasha. They pecked quickly, laughter burbling from Sasha’s lips. When Sasha spun the bottle, it settled on Benji.
They both groaned. Per their agreed upon rules, Sasha got to kiss her fiancé and also choose who Benji would kiss instead of her. She pretended to hem and haw before saying, “William!”
Benji tried to school his expression by taking a long drink, the bubbles tickling his nose. William was directly across from him, so he slinked across the middle of the circle and into William’s space.
Benji kissed him softly, just a small press of lips, but it was as sweet as the champagne bursting on his tongue. He sighed and pulled back, not wanting to clue everyone—especially his matchmaking sister—into his attraction to this man. Secret valentines were secret.
With an ornery pat on William’s cheek, Benji said, “Thanks, old man,” causing an eruption of laughter around the room.
* * *
William’s heart was hammering in his ears, but he tried to play it cool. “Is it my turn to spin or Benji’s?”
“Who cares?” Robin said. Her cheeks were scarlet and she was lounging back on her elbows, clearly happy with how this game was going. “There’s no loser. Benji, spin.”
Benji twisted the bottle, letting it fly. It landed on Manuel.
“Ohheyyy!” Benji said.
Manuel was sitting next to William, so William had a great view as Benji pressed his wide, perfect mouth to Manuel’s smiling lips. It was over fast, but when Benji pulled back, he winked at William.
As the minutes ticked on, and the game continued, William ached for the man across from him. It was almost unbearable not to kiss him, not to grab Benji and taste his mouth after Wren fed Benji a chocolate-covered strawberry.
William was certain he was the only one burning alive. All his friends were choking on laughter and enjoying the silliness of the game, but he was on fire. He felt invaded by his desire to savor the lushness of Benji’s mouth. To claim him in private and in public and during a game of fucking Spin the Bottle.
Wren twirled the wine bottle, and it landed on Benji. William’s heart soared from his chest. Benji would get to spin next. William started doing math in his head. Eight people in the circle, seven people the bottle could land on, one of those people—Sasha—Benji couldn’t kiss.
Wren grabbed Benji by the ears and kissed him. William’s mouth went dry with anticipation
A one in six chance. A 16.67 percent chance Benji’s spin would land on him.
Benji glanced at William through his golden lashes and spun the bottle. It whirled, moving in a blur before slowing and slowing and slowing, tipping achingly past Wren, past Avi, past Manuel before teetering to a stop on William.
William downed the rest of his champagne. Benji crawled toward him slowly, his eyes alight and teasing. That was not going to stand this time.
As soon as Benji was within arm’s reach, William hauled him forward, his hands swamping Benji’s cheeks and jaw. Benji had to scramble closer on his knees so he didn’t lose his balance. Up on his knees, Benji was taller than William, but William was going to control this kiss. He held Benji’s head steady and slanted his mouth to get a better angle.
Sasha hooted and said, “Slip him the tongue, Benji.”
