Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 67711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
“We, as in you and Jasper?” Eudora asked.
“You do know Jasper’s been staying with Ford already, right?” Ben asked, the sly little bastard.
Eudora shook her head, then turned and gave me a hard look. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
“No, but he slept with me, and he didn’t run or insist he was straight, and he didn’t say it would never happen again.”
“That’s something, but is it enough for you to continue with this?” Eudora asked.
“He needs protection.” I hated how weak my defense sounded. “I know I’m probably being stupid, but our dynamic has changed. Jay’s not pushing my buttons constantly. He’s not trying to get the better of me. I’m wondering if maybe he’s actually interested after all.” As soon as I said those words, I tensed, waiting for an onslaught of anger from them and their insistence that I had to be wrong.
Instead, Eudora patted my leg. “Tell me what makes you think so.”
I glanced up at them both. “You’re actually willing to listen?”
“Of course,” Ben said. “Just because Miles thinks he knows something doesn’t make it true. For all I know, Jasper is desperately in love with you. I wish you’d brought him.”
“You wouldn’t have been able to interrogate me then.”
“No, but we would’ve been able to watch the two of you together,” Eudora said.
“Jay and I talk about real things. He’s willing to be vulnerable with me, and while he definitely likes to be in charge—”
Eudora held up a hand. “Not too many details, please.”
I huffed. “He’s also willing to let me be the one who’s calling the shots, and I don’t mean in bed.”
Ben smiled. “I can’t imagine he’d let you take charge in bed, nor that you’d want him to.”
I scowled at him.
“Come on. He’s a ‘straight’ guy. Do you really think he’s going to want to give in to you like that?”
“Boys,” Eudora said. “There is a lady present.”
I raised my brows. I knew the kind of books she like to read. “Don’t act so innocent.”
“I’m hardly innocent, but I don’t want to know the details of your sex lives. Miles and Ford are like sons to me, and now, so are you, Ben. Don’t make things weird.”
Ben and I both smiled. “I’ll be good,” I said.
“I didn’t ask for that much.”
“Jay was so worried today. The men who want to make sure this lawsuit goes their way came to his grandmother’s care facility. She has a bad case of pneumonia, and Jay’s already scared she won’t make it. He went to visit her, and they must have followed him. Of course, he didn’t bother to call and let me know he was leaving the office.”
Ben and Eudora looked at each other, and I did not like their expressions.
“What?”
“Whether Jay’s invested or not, you sure are.”
“Why? Because I’m bitching about him?”
“No, because you care.”
I sighed. “That’s my problem, I always care.”
“You always care about things being a certain way, about what you want, about wrapping a relationship up in the proper package.” I started a protest, but I knew Eudora was right. “This is different. I’ve never heard you talk about a man like this.”
“Too bad he’s a straight man who doesn’t even like me.”
“He ran out in front of a gunman to save you, and you think he doesn’t like you?” Ben asked.
“I’m his ticket to safety.”
“Bullshit. Miles would protect him even if something happened to you. You know that, and I’m sure Jay does too. You don’t put yourself in danger, not like that, for someone who doesn’t matter.”
“So maybe he thinks of me as a friend.”
“That’s a step,” Eudora said.
“So what are you saying?”
Eudora glanced at Ben and then back at me. “I’m saying take him to your grandparents’ place. Introduce him to them. Let him see how you deal with that dynamic. Take him to your grandad’s workshop, let Jay meet his dogs.”
“I don’t know if Jay even likes dogs or woodworking.”
“Just see what happens while you’re away.”
“You really think I should give this a chance? You think I should go all in?”
“I think you are already all in,” Ben said. “So you might as well fight for it.”
“Do you want this man?” Eudora asked. “Do you honestly think there could be a chance of something more than fucking between the two of you?”
I nearly choked hearing Eudora use the F word, but I managed to nod. “I know it sounds crazy, and Miles would never believe me, but I do. I can’t really put it into words, but something has shifted between us.”
“You’ve always been one to fight for what you wanted,” Eudora said. “Miles fell for Ben and look where they are now.”
Ben seemed to consider that for a moment. “Miles declared that I was his and basically kidnapped me.”
“That’s not a hell of a lot different than what I’ve done with Jay.”