Like, he didn’t want it to be an act. Hewantedme to be interested in men.
“Sometimes it’s genuine,” I answered quickly, trying not to get too confrontational. “Why? Is that a problem?”
Because a lot of straight dudes had a hard time with a guy being bisexual. At least, in my experience they did.
You don’t have to pretend to like girls. Just be gay,they’d said.
But I wasn’t pretending. I loved women.
My last two partners had been men, but all my long-term relationships had happened to be with women. I’d always been attracted to guys, but acting on it was newer, and I was still getting comfortable with telling people about it.
Joseph did not appear to have a problem with me being bisexual. The corner of his mouth lifted. It wasn’t enough to call a smile, but it was a hint of one, and that single action sent a wave of curiosity sweeping through me.
Was he like me?
“No,” his tone was gentle. “No problem here.” He drew in a breath, like he was glad to have that sorted. “You don’t flirt with the other guys because you think they’re all straight, but you’d be wrong about that. I’m omnisexual.”
“Oh,” I said, unsure of how to respond.
He stared at me like I was missing something, and I couldn’t figure out what. His expression changed, and was he irritated with me for not knowing?
“Are you, like, disappointed I haven’t flirted with you?” The words just tumbled out of my mouth. “But you’re not single.”
His lips curled into a true smile. “Neither is my girlfriend, but that didn’t stop you, did it?”
I wiped a hand over my mouth, trying to disguise my guilt. “It didn’t.” There wasn’t anything else to say. “I’m sorry.”
He acted like my apology was unnecessary. It rolled right off him, and he leaned forward over the desk, peering at me with curiosity. “If she’d been into it, it wouldn’t have bothered you that she’d be cheating on her partner?”
Warning alarms sounded in my head. I knew what the right answer was supposed to be, but for some reason, I went with the truth. “Honestly? Not really. I’m not forcing her to cheat. If she decides to do it, that’s on her.” I straightened in my seat. “But she didn’t. I just want to make that clear. Nothing happened.”
“But you wanted it to.” His expression turned sinful. “And perhaps it still can.”
Breath cut off in my lungs. “What?”
“Even before tonight, I knew you wanted her. You’re not exactly subtle about the way you look at Noemi.” I opened my mouth to apologize again, but he continued. “You think I mind? I don’t. She’s fucking gorgeous and I don’t blame you. If anything, I like it. It makes me feel good because she chose me when she could have anyone she wants. For example, a more attractive man, or one who’s her age,” his gaze sharpened on me, “or both.”
The air between us was thick, holding me down in my seat.
“When I met Noemi,” he said, “she’d been living a sheltered life. There were things she wanted that she was too scared to ask for. Helping her conquer that fear is one of the things I’m most proud of, and I love how her sexual appetite has grown to rival my own.” He smirked. “Which, is considerable.”
His seductive tone charged the room with sex, and goosebumps lifted on my arms.
The conversation should have freaked me out, but it didn’t.
Joseph was my boss. He wasn’t available and I’d always assumed he was straight, so I’d never considered anything happening between us. Yet, even though it was a bad idea, the thought of him making a move on me sent interest zipping through my body.
And I got the impression he could tell. His eyes lit with a pleased look.
“She doesn’t have a hard time telling me what she wants these days,” he said. “I’ve seen her with other partners, but she hasn’t gotten to see me do that yet, plus we haven’t played with another man.”
Holy shit. I swallowed thickly. “What are you saying?”
His tone was easy. Casual. “I’m going to fuck Noemi tonight and I’d like you to join us. Does that interest you?”
TWO
My mouth dropped open, but no sound came out. All thoughts emptied from my head.