Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 145088 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145088 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Now she was speaking Dex’s language. Pizza. He glanced at Hammer in case he wanted to object to even this simple pleasure, but got no negative feedback.
“Spicy, or with barbeque sauce. Do they have sides? I like dips too. Can I get dips?”
Hammer’s hand landed on his back, making him stiffen in shock.
“If you promise to be good, you can even have dessert,” Hammer said, leading Dex to the other sofa. For the briefest moment, his big, warm hand pushed into Dex’s hair, but then it was gone, and before Dex wrapped his head around it, Hammer pushed him onto the soft leather seat.
Dex trailed after him with his gaze. Even in that stupid T-shirt, the unfeeling bastard looked like a snack.
“I’ll be good, so I’ll have cookies please. Is it okay to sit naked on your sofa? Don’t wanna be rude…”
Cora laughed, typing on the phone. “You couldn’t imagine the things that happen on this sofa every month. Don’t worry about it.” She pointed to a basket on a side table filled with condoms and an industrial size bottle of lube with a pump. “I host sex parties here.”
Dex raised his eyebrows and pointed to the puma. “And Baby…”
Cora rolled her eyes. “Of course she doesn't participate. I’m kinky, not a criminal.”
Despite so obviously hating Dex, Hammer sat next to him, since Cora still believed they were an item, but when Dex expected the customary arm-around-the-shoulders gesture, Hammer grabbed the open cuff and attached it to something hidden at the back of the seat, where it met the backrest. . Baffled, Dex pulled, only to find a freaking steel ring hidden inside the piece of furniture.
“Custom-made,” Cora said with pride.
Well, at least he’d get cookies. “Hammer knew where to celebrate our anniversary,” Dex said, somewhat bitterly.
“He can be thoughtful. Sometimes. If you point him in the right direction,” Cora said while Hammer poured coke into identical glasses standing on the coffee table in front of him. He handed one to Dex and leaned back, placing his hand on Dex’s thigh. His touch was like a brand, and Dex’s toes curled as he stared into Hammer’s eyes like a love-struck doe. He knew this was all a mind game yet got fucked in the head by it every time.
“Same with this one,” Hammer said, and as a ray of light coming through the window hit his silver earring, for a moment Dex saw him for what he was—the most magnificent guy he’d ever gotten to touch.
And what… was he to give up on getting more out of this opportunity just because Hammer claimed to be straight? Wouldn’t be Dex’s first rodeo. If Hammer decided to unsettle him with touch, then Dex was more than happy to play this game of gay chicken.
“Aww, babe…” Dex grinned and stroked his fingers up the thick, tattooed arm dusted with dark hair. He glanced at Cora, who was busy setting up the movie. “All my exes put together can’t measure up. He’s got this fire, you know? I can never predict what he’s gonna do.”
He ignored the way Hammer stiffened under his touch. So maybe Dex was hounding him into a corner, but if Hammer’s dedication to their deception was greater than his fear of gay cooties, then he’d only have himself to blame. Dex could deal with whatever fallout came his way later, even if it involved spanking.
Cora laughed, scratching the top of Baby’s head. “Oh, I know. Few men are quite this passionate. Some people might find it too intense, so I’m glad he found someone appreciative.”
Hammer licked his lips as he stared at the TV screen showing Cora’s watchlist on one of the many streaming platforms. But despite not wanting to acknowledge Dex’s words, he moved his own hand up Dex’s thigh, closer to his crotch.
Even if it was just his attempt at embarrassing Dex by giving him a boner in company, the memory would be Dex’s to keep. The revelation of Hammer, the cold-blooded killer, being passionate confirmed what Dex had overheard at Stefani’s. And maybe in the right circumstances, Hammer could become curious enough to stray off his straight path, even if just one time.
Dex slid his fingers under the sleeve of Hammer’s T-shirt, exploring his thick bicep. “What was his favorite thing back in the day, when he still did women?”
Hammer frowned at him. “When I still did women?”
“Oh, are you open?” Cora asked, switching on the movie and instantly putting it on pause. Her eyes shone as if she were ready to grab some popcorn.
The hand on Dex’s thigh squeezed him almost too hard, and Hammer’s jaw muscles twitched, but he remained cool on the surface and was quick to correct himself. “What I mean is that… I still like women. I’m not gay.”
Dex rolled his eyes and slid closer, so their thighs touched, then wrapped his arms around Hammer’s waist as if he were hugging a big, sturdy teddy bear. So maybe it was another challenge, but wow did the touch feel good—warm, steady, like a wall of bone and flesh that could withstand any storm. It could have only been more perfect if Hammer opted out of wearing the T-shirt, so Dex could bury his face in the big pecs and smell the faint aroma of cedarwood on tanned skin.