Page 58 of Burning for Alexander
But of course, he wasn’t there. Most likely, he was enjoying a night off, cleaning his dryer’s lint trap and triple-checking the functionality of his smoke detectors.
“What about you?” Will asked with a playful grin. “Any other hobbies besides beach volleyball with cousins?”
“I like poetry,” I confessed. “If I hadn’t been studying wine and business in college, I would have taken more poetry classes.”
“Like writing it?”
“Oh, no. God, no. I suck at writing it. I love reading it, though. My family makes fun of me for it.” I didn’t add the part about them making fun of me because I was usually drunk when I began spouting it. Otherwise, it was more of a silent, solo hobby.
“That’s not very nice of them. Do you get along with your family?”
I heard my sister snort from somewhere behind me.
“Not really. They’re awful people. Ugly, too. And mean. Especially Ella.”
Will’s mouth opened in surprise, so I thumbed over my shoulder and mouthed, “Sibling spy.”
He glanced behind us and smirked. “Ah. I have three of those. You’re lucky you only have two.”
As I began to explain that my sister Mattie was getting married next month, I realized this was nice. Easy. Will was a good guy, just like Ella and Hazel had said. And we seemed to have plenty in common.
While he sat there telling me about his brother the commercial real estate agent, his sister the mechanic, and his sister the wedding planner, I even thought about how well he’d get along with the rest of my family.
At no point did I consider what he was like in bed…
At least, until he tried to kiss me after the game in the dark parking lot, and I jerked back.
“Oh,” he said, stepping away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
I reached for his hand. “No, it’s not your fault. I just… I’m… I’m sorry. Can we… take it a little slow?”
Ugh, how virginal did I sound right now? And it wasn’t even because I really wanted to take it slow. I just… didn’t want to fuck up what I had going with Kincaid.
Will’s expression was one of kindness and understanding, not judgment. “Of course we can. I’d really like to see you again, and I definitely don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“Thanks.” I stepped forward and hugged him briefly, pulling back and shooting him a smile of appreciation.
“Text me tomorrow?” he asked, his smile turning flirty again.
“Definitely.”
I hopped in my car and headed home. Halfway home, my phone buzzed with a text, but I assumed it was either a thanks from Will or a nosy inquiry from Ella. Either way, there was no rush to check it. Which was why I ended up in the back lot of Timber before I realized Kincaid had been the one texting me.
Lord High Sheriff of Fire Safety
I’m home for the night if you need any coaching.
My stomach tightened with hot need.Fuck.
ETA ASAP
I took a few minutes to race upstairs and shower thoroughly, throwing on clean clothes that didn’t smell like hot dogs and popcorn.
During the drive to Kincaid’s place, all I could do was chastise myself for leading Will on. I was a selfish human being because if I had to choose between Will Wascomb and Judd Kincaid when deciding who to lose my virginity to…
There was seriously no fucking choice whatsoever. Even Jesus would choose Judd Kincaid. I was pretty sure, at least.
When I got to his house, I was already half-hard. I hadn’t spared a single thought about why the man had texted me for sex on a Friday night when he knew I was going out with someone else. Nor had I considered how desperate and rude it made me look that I was taking him up on it.
