If I Told You (14 page)

He sighs, but he still looks pissed. “I think that’s enough for tonight.”

“No, come on. I want to give you something, too.”

“Forgive me, but it seems my dick lost interest when it heard another man’s name.”

I lower my head. “I’m sorry.”

Rhys climbs off of me and sits down, shoving his dick back in his pants. “Listen, Brooklyn. I like you. A lot. I think we could have fun together. I can’t control what you think about, and maybe you can’t either, but I do have some pride.”

“I didn’t mean it. I swear I was focused on you.”

He stands, picking up his coat off the chair. “I’d like to say that I don’t want to see you again. I wish I could tell you to be with Flynn, but the truth is, it’s not true and I can’t. I still want you. I’ll still call.”

“I want to see you again, too.”

He nods. “Good. I guess all I can ask for is a chance to replace him in your mind.”

“It’s not like that, Rhys. It was an accident.”

Leaning down, he kisses my mouth softly. “I’ll call you soon.”

“Okay.”

I watch as he lets himself out, then fall back against the couch, rubbing my forehead. Fuck.

Unlocking the door to the apartment, I enter carefully not knowing if I’ll be met with Rhys and Brooklyn on the couch again. It’s silent. Throwing my coat on the chair, I look around for a minute, then walk down the hall to Brooklyn’s room. The door is open, and I see her in bed, sound asleep.

“Brooks?” I whisper. She doesn’t answer. I walk closer, watching her, wondering if she’s been made love to tonight, wondering why he’s not still here. She rolls over, facing me, but still asleep. I sit on the edge of the bed, wishing I could tug the blanket down to reveal her tits. They are fucking spectacular. Everything about her is. I want to touch her. Kiss her. Uncover her. Enter her. I don’t seem to be able to get her out of my head. I close my eyes and lower my head, running my fingers through my hair.

“You okay?” she whispers.

I turn back. “Yeah. Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

“It’s okay.” She sits up, holding the blanket to her. “Do you need to talk?”

Trying to pull my eyes away from her, I shake my head no. “I’m good.”

She rubs my back. “I’m here if you need me.”

I need her. Desperately. “I know.”

“Do you want to lie with me for a while?”

“Do you want me to?”

“Yeah.” She plays with my hair. “I do.”

“Okay. For a little while.” I climb in bed next to her, all too aware she’s naked under those blankets. We lie side by side, staring at the ceiling, while I wish for so much more.

“Rhys didn’t stay?”

She shakes her head. “No.”

“Everything okay with you guys?”

“I think so. Just a misunderstanding.”

She scoots closer, and I put my arm around her, pulling her even closer. Why does this feel so good? Why can we do this, but we can’t do more? Why do I want to so much?

“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask.

“No.”

“Okay.”

“I just want to lie with you.”

Closing my eyes, I imagine for a moment what it would be like to hold her every night. A smile creeps across my lips. It would be heaven.

A few days later, back at work, I’m in my office doing payroll. Looking up when I hear the knock on my door, I see Melissa standing there. I haven’t seen her since the situation in my office.

“Hey, Mel. What’s up?”

“Rhys Camden is here to see you.”

“Really?”

“Yep, he’s up front.”

“Uh, okay.” I follow her to see Rhys studying my wine collection. “Rhys?”

“Oh, hey, Flynn. Got a minute?”

“Sure. What can I do for you?”

“Can we speak privately?” he asks as his eyes shift to Mel.

“Yeah. We can go in my office.”

“Great.”

I lead Rhys to my office wondering what he could possibly want to talk to me about. Once inside, I shut the door and offer him a chair. He sits, leaning back and crossing his legs. I wait for him to speak as I take my own seat.

“I’ll just get to the point,” he says. “Is there something going on with you and Brooklyn?”

I pull my head back. “Not at all. Why would you ask that?”

“I sense some tension between you two, and I just need to know if I’m being played here. She denies it, but I thought maybe man to man you’d be honest with me.”

“Sorry, man, nothing to report. We’re honestly just friends. Nothing’s ever happened between us.” Mostly.

“I see.” He adjusts the cuffs on his shirt. “It’s just that the other night when I was eating her out, she said your name.” His eyes shift up to mine. “I have to say it’s the first time in my life that’s happened to me.”

I fight back a grin. “She did?”

“She did. Imagine your face buried between the legs of your dream woman and she utters another man’s name. Think I took a bruise to the ego on that one. As difficult as it is to admit it to you, I’m more interested in why she was thinking of you.”

“No clue. It’s a surprise to me.”

He nods. “You haven’t fucked her?”

“No.”

“Do you want to?”

I smile. “Why would I tell you that? We’re not friends.”

“I just want to know who my competition is.”

“Your competition is you, Rhys. Brooklyn is her own woman and isn’t easily claimed by any man. Not me or anyone else. If she’s holding back, she’s doing it on her own. I have nothing to do with it.”

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

“I have some women I spend time with.”

Rhys leans forward. “Does it bother you that I’m fucking Brooklyn?”

I roll my eyes. “It wouldn’t if you were, but you’re not. She tells me everything, Rhys.”

“Does she? So you know how many times I made her come with my tongue on Wednesday night?”

He’s pushing my buttons and I know it. “As a matter of fact she did,” I lie. “She said you were good, but… I shouldn’t say.”

I can see him try to play it cool, but his curiosity won’t stand for it. “But what?”

“She’s had better.”

Rhys guffaws. “I don’t believe you. I know what I’m doing when it comes to that. There’s no way she said that.”

I shrug. “Guess you’ll have to wonder. Oh, but didn’t you say she said
my
name during it?”

He glares at me as I offer a smug grin.

“I think you want her,” he says.

“I think you’re threatened by me.”

Rhys stands up, straightening his jacket. “Here’s the thing, Flynn. You had your chance before she met me. If you want her you should’ve made your move because now that I’m here, I’m not giving up easily.”

“Good for you, Rhys. I don’t give a damn, and if I were you, I’d be more worried about why she’s saying my name while she’s with you. Maybe you need to up your game.” I lean across the desk. “Brooklyn is my best friend, and if she wants to spend her time with you that’s fine with me. Just don’t make the mistake of hurting her or you’ll have to deal with my less than reasonable side.”

“Fair enough.” He extends his hand. “I believe you, and on some level, I even admire you Flynn. You obviously value your friendship more than anything else you could have with her.”

I shake his hand, slightly perplexed at his odd compliment.

“Maybe if you’re ever up for it…” he shakes his head. “Never mind.”

“What?”

“We could double date some time.” He smiles. “Since you’re just friends.”

“Sure. Maybe we can do that.”

“Great. Thanks for your time today. I’ll see myself out.”

“Yeah. Okay.”

“Oh, but just in case you’re not being entirely truthful, let me just say this. I want her all for myself. If I have to compete with you then I must say, may the best man win.”

Shaking my head, I reply. “You’ve got it all wrong.”

“I’d like to be wrong.”

Once he’s gone, I slouch back in my chair. I don’t know what that was about. Staking his claim on Brooks? I rub my forehead, as a grin spreads across my face. She said my name while he was eating her out? That’s fucking awesome. Picking up my phone, I fire off a quick text to her.

Pizza and beer tonight? You and me? Or do you have a date with the food critic?

A few minutes later she responds.

No date. Pizza and beer sounds great. Love you.

Before I answer, I stare at her message for several minutes wishing it meant something different than it does.

Love you too, Brooks.

A few hours later, I walk inside the apartment and hear music playing. After looking around for a minute, I pull off my coat, throw it on the chair, and walk down the hall to Brooklyn’s room. When I see her, I lean against the doorframe, watching as she dances around her bedroom, oblivious to my presence. Her normally wild mane of hair is piled on top of her head in a bun and she’s wearing a pair of shorts and a tank top. Her ass is literally perfect, but I guess it should be with all the hours she spends working out.

As she wiggles that perfection, I chuckle, catching her attention. She twists around, gasping in surprise.

“What are you doing here?”