Page 133 of A Breath of Life
“He made a mistake. He didn’t know what he was sharing when he shared it.”
Joshua shrugged. “I’m just a good time to him. Nothing more.”
“No. He likes you. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have done a repeat.”
“It’s a five-peat so far.”
“Seriously? See?” I chuckled. “That’s huge for Memphis. You have graduated to one of his top-tier fucks. Very few people pass that number.”
Joshua rolled his eyes, but I saw the lessening of his stress as we talked. “I’m not delusional. Even if I wanted more, he wouldn’t be interested. He told me on day one that he doesn’t get serious.”
That much I knew, but I had also noticed a change in my best friend lately. His lifestyle wasn’t as satisfying as it had once been, and since I’d started dating Diem, I got the sense he felt like he was missing out and was lonely. I didn’t have as much time to dedicate to our friendship.
“I’ll be honest. I’m not sure how strictly those rules are enforced. The right person might sway him to change his mind. Don’t give up. He needs someone who is willing to have fun but who also has both feet planted on the ground.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
I couldn’t explain myself. There wasn’t enough time. “We should go. Are you ready?”
Joshua’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. He glanced down the street beyond the massive church to the building beyond. “Not really.”
“It’s time.” I didn’t know if I should hold his hand, hook our arms together, or lean drunkenly against his side. We had to get chummy, or our story wouldn’t hold up to scrutiny.
Joshua made the decision for me, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Is this okay?”
“Absolutely.” I copied by draping mine around his neck and letting him lean his head against me. We staggered down the road like two men who’d had too much to drink.
I cleared my throat and performed. “Remember, I’m an old college friend. We met several years ago. My family is from Australia.”
“Your accent is dreadful,Liam.”
“My accent is perfect,Joshy Woshy.” And if it wasn’t, I doubted anyone would notice.
Joshua exhaled a long, drawn-out sigh and mumbled a pep talk to himself under his breath. “We should be cheerier. Heavily flirtatious, or they won’t buy it, and we’ll get dead.”
“I can sell it. Can you? You’re still too stiff.”
“Stiff would be acceptable.”
I laughed. “See? Now you’re getting there.”
“You act like I’m an amateur. I’ve been selling my ass to these people for years, hoping for my own membership. Ace’s guys won’t be a problem. They like it when I bring other men. They especially like it when there’s a lot of sexual chemistry between me and the other guy.”
“So more?”
“Ideally.”
What I didn’t mention to my less-than-confident companion was that my boyfriend tended to have a ragingly jealous streak andheavy flirtationsand showingsexual chemistrycould triggerhishomicidal urges, so if this worked and Diem caught wind ofhowwe got into the club, Ace’s men would be the least of Joshua’s worries.
We approached the building, and since the outdoor cameras would be operational until we gave Costa the sign to disable them, we played our part. Was it awkward shmoozing a guy I barely knew? Definitely. What had once been a normal part of my life didn’t feel remotely the same now that I was in a committed relationship. Having someone else’s hands on me—lips and tongue on my neck and ear—felt wrong, and it turned out to be me who struggled for authenticity after bragging about my superior acting skills to my cousin.
Joshua planted a row of featherlight kisses up my neck to my ear as we approached the door. He flicked his tongue against my earlobe, and I instinctively flinched away before remembering myself.
“Stop it,” he hissed. “The camera’s on us.”
While one hand roved my ass, he used the other to pluck his father’s card from his pocket and press it to the reader. A moment later, a series of clicks sounded as an automated system recognized the card and unlocked the door.
Inside, a man dressed in black from head to toe greeted us in a highly secured, boxed-in lobby area of sorts. The door thudded behind us, and a reverse series of clicks indicated we were sealed in, unable to move forward or retreat and fully at the mercy of the man in black, who was armed with not only a gun but an intricate computer setup that would decide our fate.
