Page 18 of And the Best Man Ran Away With the Groom

I know he’s really only trying to stop me from freaking out on the back of a motorbike, but I can’t help feeling a little burst of emotion brought on by the words. I cling tighter to Trent, resting my head against his broad back and once again closing my eyes.

For a long moment I actually manage to forget about the narrow mountain path and deadly cliff drop; I even forget about the bike. All my brain cells are focused on the feel of Trent’s body against me and the intoxicating scent of him filling my nostrils. I really need to get a grip; this is getting ridiculous.

We finally come to a stop and Trent shuts off the engine. I peel myself away from him, shuffling my arse back on the pillion seat and claiming some much needed distance. Of course, I’m now left with an incredibly mortifying problem because the stiffy that sprung up while I was drowning in amazing Trent smell is showing no signs of abating on its own, and I’m not exactly in a position right now to help it along.

If I were more like Alastor, or even Trent, I’d just brazen it out—everyone gets stiffies, don’t they? But I’m not like them. I’m like me, so instead I take my helmet off and use it to shield my crotch. Then almost break my leg trying to get off the bike with only one hand for leverage. Brilliant.

“Here, I can take that,” Trent says, holding his hand out for the helmet.

“Nah, I’m good,” I assure him, still holding it protectively over my crotch.

Trent’s brows shoot up in obvious surprise. “You okay?”

Fucking hell. Why won’t this stiffy just go down already? I close my eyes for a second in an effort to will it away, almost jumping out of my skin when I feel Trent’s hand on my shoulder. “Don’t touch me.”

“Jesus.Xav, what the hell’s going on?” Trent demands, looking really worried now.

With a groan of mortification, I realise I have no choice but to confess. “I have a stiffy,” I bite out through clenched teeth, angry at myself for not getting things back under control before now.

Trent’s expression is full of puzzlement for a moment, but then I reluctantly move the helmet and realisation crosses his features. “Oh. How…?”

I glare at him. “Well, in case you’re not aware, you’re a very attractive man, and I was practically dry humping you the whole way here.”

Trent lets out a soft breath of laughter. “I’m not sure I’d go as far as to call it dry humping, but I get your meaning.”

Evidently my dick doesn’t like attention being brought upon it, because all this talk seems to have been enough to finally deflate my erection.Better late than never, I guess. I feel slightly calmer now that that little problem is taken care of, but there’s still the issue of Trent. Surely he’s going to be uncomfortable about this.

“I’m sorry,” I say awkwardly.

He eyes me curiously. “What for?”

“For…” I trail off with a gesture to his bike and my person, not really sure how to put the whole thing into words.

“Cracking a fat in my presence?” he asks with a teasing grin. “Believe it or not I’ve had an erection or two in my time.”

I sigh, fixing him with a pointed look. “You know what I mean. It wasn’t just near you. It was…because of you.”

Trent simply shrugs. “Okay then.”

“Howare you acting so calm about this?” I can’t help asking.

Trent’s brows creep up. “What were you expecting? That I’d freak out and throw you off the mountain?”

I let out a huff of annoyance. “Of course not. But you have to admit, most straight guys would be pretty uncomfortable if they found out their gay friend found them attractive.”

He shrugs. “I don’t see why. I take it as a compliment.” He flashes a bright smile. “And I’m glad to know you consider us friends now.”

I give an exasperated shake of my head before glancing back at him, my lips formed in a hesitant smile. “You’re really okay with this?”

“Of course. As far as I can see, this is a good thing.”

My brow creases in confusion “How do you figure that?”

“Well, if you’ve got the hots for me then it obviously means you’re ready to move on from Jack. All we need to do now is redirect this attraction to someone who can actually reciprocate andvoilà—your rebound is complete!” Trent says enthusiastically, offering a bright smile.

“Yeah. I guess…” Something tells me it’s not going to be quite as simple as that, but I’m not about to let Trent know that. It’s bad enough he knows this much.

“Alright.” Trent claps his hands together. “Are we going to check out this magic garden or what?”

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