Page 78 of Indecent Ventures

I bite my lip.

She looks at me in question. “What?”

“He asked me to go to Mexico with him. We’re both sort of sick of staying hidden. We want to go somewhere that no one knows us, and we can have a good time.”

“I don’t know why you feel the need to stay hidden.”

“Collin doesn’t think Carter will understand. I think he has a little bit of shame over how we started. I’m fine staying hidden. I don’t need anyone’s bullshit questions and expectations. And when we’re over, everyone will feel awkward. It’s easier if they never knew in the first place.”

“What if you don’t end?”

“Of course we’ll come to an end at some point. Neither of us wants a real relationship. We’re having fun. We’ll continue to do so as long as both of us want that.”

“I hate to break it to you, but you’re in a relationship. Just because you’re not labeling it as such doesn’t mean it’s not true. You’re not interested in anyone else. Given how much time you spend together, I can’t imagine he’s seeing anyone else. You’re together all the time. You sleep with each other more nights than not. That’s a fucking relationship in my book.”

The same thought has crossed my mind. I’m not sure how I feel about it. All I know is that I want Collin around. I’m not ready to let go of him just yet.

* * *

“I’m notcomfortable walking in empty-handed. Why couldn’t we stop somewhere?”

Collin hands me the bag of what sounds like a few bottles of wine. “We were running late. Here, you can walk in with the wine. Happy?”

“Yes, I am.” I look in the bag. “Oh my god, it’s Snoop Dogg wine. I love this wine.”

He makes a look of disgust. “It’s nasty, but Ashleigh loves it.”

“You’re crazy. It’s the best wine. Ashleigh is Mac’s wife, right?”

He nods. “Yes.”

“Does she have a stick up her ass like Mac?”

“No. She’s awesome. She’s probably my favorite person in the family. Actually, when I was on the fence about starting things with you, she’s the one that encouraged me not to give a fuck what anyone else thought and to do what makes me happy.”

“Is that what you are, Collin? Happy?”

“If you let me fuck your ass, I’d be happier.”

I laugh. “We’ll see.”

His eyes light up. “Really?”

I smile. He’s relentless with the ass thing.

We’re almost at the door when he says, “Oh, my family doesn’t know about my new venture with Carter and Reagan yet. Don’t mention it. They just think that Carter wants the Wander property to be like their house, so that’s why I’m in charge.”

I turn to him. “Are you fucking kidding me? Man up, Collin. Just tell them.”

Before he can respond, the front door of the house opens, and we see Mac and a woman that I assume is Ashleigh standing there. She’s adorable. She’s tiny, with dark hair, green eyes, and is sporting a giant smile.

Mac nods at me. “Jade. It’s good to see you again.”

“Hey, limp dick.” I pat his chest. “Be nice to my man tonight or you’ll see my ugly side. This morning was a walk in the park compared to what I’m capable of.”

Ashleigh starts laughing. “Oh my god, I love her.”

I hand her the wine. “I assume you’re Ashleigh?”

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