Page 34 of Touched By Destiny

“So she says, but it’s not like she’s had gay sex.”

“You could always take Mari’s advice and try it with a woman,” Eric teased.

Richard rolled his eyes. “Kissing is as far as I’ve gone with a woman. She was gorgeous, but she didn’t turn me on.”

Surprised at learning something new about Richard, Eric’s brows lifted. “Why haven’t I heard this story before?”

“Because I was eighteen, and you were too young for me to be confessing my sexual forays to. Plus, the ending was totally boring. We made out for like an hour, then talked about makeup and hair.”

“Were you having lots of make-out sessions with guys back then?”

“No,” Richard said flatly. “I thought it was fine to do that. To kiss and have fun. But it was rare for me to have the chance to meet anyone or get out of the house. I had to go on dates. My second one was with a boy. He was pissed that I refused to do more than make out. According to him, I was a nasty tease. After that, I didn’t do shit with anyone until we moved here and had the club. No dates. No nonsense. We’re here to hook up, and that’s it.”

“Your three times happened in the first year after we moved.”

“The last was intercourse,” Richard confided. “I didn’t like it. But he sure as fuck had a good time. It left me feeling gross. I don’t want to repeat it. And as he thrust into me, I kept thinking about how awful it would be if he turned out to be my soulmate. Selfish prick. Pretty, thoughtless jerk. Just ick.”

Pissed off that his brother had had such poor experiences, Eric frowned. “I’m sorry, and here’s me, acting so smug about having sex with Gabriel.”

“Are you kidding? He was a great choice for you. You’ve been friends your entire life, and you like him. You share everything, even your spirits. He’s in your heart, and you took a risk. But it paid off. He’s your soulmate, and I have faith in you too. I made poor choices. To me, it was more important that they looked good. I barely talked to those men. Mari kept saying share a few laughs before you haul ass to a hotel room. I refused to listen. So, she has sexy nights with fun people as she continues her sacred hunt to find her soulmate, and I wind up with vapidassholes. I’m never attracted to the ones who tell a great joke. I’m broken when it comes to choosing a decent lover.”

“I want better for you.”

“Being alone and in charge of my life is better for me. Do I sometimes wish I looked at someone like you do at Gabriel? Of course I do. I’ve yearned to be in your shoes, and Mari’s too. Her club nights leave her smiling for days, and she puts herself out there. One day her soulmate is going to come along too. That’s what she wants, and I yearn for her to have it. But I’m not either of you. I’m me. And my path won’t be the same.”

Although Eric’s heart broke for his brother and the way he was digging in his heels, he kept the words to himself. Richard wouldn’t appreciate Eric’s wish that he would find his soulmate. And at least Richard wasn’t throwing himself into more situations that hurt or disappointed him. It was a rather shitty bright side, but it was all Eric had to cling to on his brother’s behalf.

“Stop,” Richard ordered curtly. “Do you think I don’t know what’s on your mind? I’m okay. Worry about building the life you want with Gabriel. Concentrate on putting your energy into building a closer bond with him. Don’t obsess over what you think I’m missing.”

“It’s still hasn’t sunk in that Gabriel and I are doing this, but you’re right. I’ll have to work hard to get what I want. So will he. But I think we’re up to the challenge.”

“Damn right you are. Finish your cookies so you can go reminisce about your night.”

“And get this thong off.”

Richard cackled. “Right. Like you’ve had it on for hours straight like me.”

Snagging the last cookie off his plate, Eric grinned. “They were down around my thighs twice.”

“Sassy, bragging bitch. Go to bed.”

“Goodnight, Richard.”

“Sweet dreams, baby.”

Chapter 16

Except for meals, Gabriel kept his distance on Sunday. He needed some time to adjust to the unexpected leap he’d made on Saturday night. Running off to have sex with Eric had been a surprise, but it was nothing compared to what had followed their first fast orgasm. All Gabriel knew was that after it was over, he couldn’t bear the thought of losing Eric.

Something inside him—perhaps from the depth of his soul—couldn’t keep silent any longer. A force beyond Gabriel had bound them. There was no changing it, and he was tired of trying to ignore it.

Because deep down, he fucking wanted it. His heart yearned to learn what a relationship with Eric could be, so following their second night in a hotel room, he’d taken the biggest risk of his life. After taking a day to think it over, Gabriel wasn’t lost in regret or remorse. Neither was he brimming with confidence.

His expectations were far too high to feel smug. If Eric was to be happy, then Gabriel needed to do his part. Together, they had to build something fulfilling and wonderful. And Gabriel had no idea if he was up to the task.

But he was ready to try.

The pretty silver crystal Eric had handed him rested in the corner of his living room. It’d allow Eric to pop in whenever he wanted, without landing on anything sharp or colliding with Gabriel. Although he’d nearly put it in the bedroom, Gabriel had changed his mind.

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