Better Than Friends (3 page)

“We should probably go see what the fuss is about. Care to join me?”

“Um yeah… I’ll be right there.”

Jack nodded and flashed a brilliant smile at me before he stood. “I’ll be looking for you.”

I gulped. That sounded a hell of a lot sexier than I was sure he meant it to. I took a sip of champagne and watched him as he headed off to join the festivities. His broad shoulders and tall frame made him stand out among the crowd. I leaned back in my chair for a moment, deciding I should steer clear of Jack. Why torment myself with visions of hot sex with a muscle-bound leather man? It might make for good fantasy, but in reality, I doubted I was his type any more than he was mine.

T
HE
RECEPTION
was a blast. The mood was joyful and celebratory with sappy toasts and funny stories followed by nonstop dancing. I wasn’t much of a dancer but after a few cocktails, I tended to think maybe I did have some mad moves on the floor. Everyone was hard-pressed not to join in at some point. It was pretty amusing to see Matt try to keep up with Aaron, and I couldn’t help razz him a couple of times.

“I know, right? Why bother?” Matt laughed good-naturedly. “I think there’s a group heading to our place after the reception. You coming?”

“Sure. Why not?” I’d had a great time all day and wasn’t in any hurry to go home to an empty apartment.

“That’s the spirit, Curtster!” He knocked my shoulder playfully as he wrapped his arms around Aaron’s waist and shook his ass seductively on the dance floor. Aaron turned in Matt’s arms and threw himself at his lover, pulling Matt’s head down to kiss him soundly before backing up and giving him a beautiful megawatt smile.

I watched the exchange through a gin-hazed fog. I wanted that. I didn’t feel jealous per se, but I felt a pull of longing. I turned away when the pull started to drag my mood down. Maybe what I really needed was fresh air. I made my way through the wide french doors leading to the terrace and gardens beyond. The evening air had a bite to it that came as a surprise after the temperate weather we’d enjoyed all day, but it was a welcome change after the heat generated by the press of bodies on the dance floor. I took a deep, cleansing breath and stepped into the shadow under the eaves, stopping in my tracks when I heard soft voices nearby.

“You’re sure you’re okay?” A woman’s gentle tone sounded like a warm caress in the cool evening breeze.

“Fine. I promise. Go on back to the party. Go find your husband and dance. I’m good.” I recognized Jack’s deep voice and froze.

I’d spotted Jack intermittently throughout the reception but I didn’t seek him out. I could almost imagine I felt his sharp gaze upon me a couple of times, but some saner part of me thought it was probably the gin talking. A rustle of fabric warned me someone was heading in my direction. I looked up to see Kelly walking carefully in her mega-high heels toward the ballroom. She seemed distracted but offered a small smile as she passed me.

I usually would have been the guy turning in the opposite direction if I sensed any drama in the works. It wasn’t my thing. I didn’t do emotional theatrics and I steered away from other people’s issues unless I was specifically asked for advice. But I was compelled to see Jack again. In my current state, I wasn’t going to question why. I cleared my throat to announce my presence as I moved toward him. Fuck, he was magnificent.

He was leaning against the brick façade of the mansion with one foot planted on the wall and the other firmly on the ground. He was smoking a cigarette and staring into space, but he turned at my approach and offered a lopsided grin that almost made it to his eyes. I didn’t know Jack from jack, but obviously something was on his mind.

“Hey.”

“Hey yourself. I saw you dancing like a madman in there. Kinda sexy.” Jack waggled his eyebrows as he drew on the cigarette.

“Those’ll kill you, you know.” Of course I was correct, but I sounded like a judgmental douche to my own ears.

Jack gave a humorless chuckle as he pulled away from the wall and fully faced me, handing the cigarette toward me. To take a drag or throw away, I didn’t know. I took his offering and sucked on the end, drawing the smoke deep in my lungs before giving it back to him. My eyes instantly watered, and I choked on the foreign burning feeling in my chest. I wiped at my eyes and desperately tried to control my breathing as Jack patted my back and enjoyed a good laugh at my expense.

“You all right there?”

“Yeah.” I gasped once more before I attempted to give Jack a perturbed evil eye. He was decidedly unfazed and chuckled again, rubbing my shoulder in what I think was meant to be a soothing gesture.

“Okay, Curtis. No smoking for you. And you’re right. You sound like an advertisement for clean living… you know, like a know-it-all. But you’re still right.”

“I know I am. My father is dying from those fucking things.”

“I’m sorry.” Jack took a step back and observed me quietly as he made a show of putting out the offending cancer stick. He tightened his lips as though he were trying to decide if he should say more, but shrugged instead and looked out into the darkened grounds.

“Whatever.” I didn’t want to talk about my dad. I actually couldn’t believe I’d brought it up. I wanted to know about Jack, not divulge Townsend family shit. “What about you? Are you okay? You seem a little… I don’t know… pensive?”

This time his laughter rang like a bell through the relative quiet of the garden. I wanted to be annoyed, but I was charmed. Jack had a lusty, full laugh that had me grinning in response as I waited to find out what the hell was so damn funny.

“Pensive? Ha! Well, Curtis, I suppose I am a little pensive. Did you overhear my little sister asking after her poor sad-sap brother? Or are you naturally intuitive? Or just nosy?”

“You’re kind of a dick, aren’t you?” I stuffed my hands in my suit-coat pockets and looked Jack over carefully.

He had an air of defiance that warred with a sadness I was just detecting. Why was he sad? This was a wedding. A happy occasion! Peter and Jay were perf—oh.

Oh damn. The elusive puzzle piece clicked into place, and I suddenly knew exactly who Jack was. Peter’s ex. Fuck, I couldn’t believe I didn’t clue in immediately! I knew it was ancient history. It had to be, because Peter and Jay had been together for years. Maybe Jack wasn’t quite over it. Or maybe he was grappling with old feelings or may—

“Cool it, kid. I’m fine. I can see the wheels turning in your head. Like I told Kel, I’m good. Everything’s good. Are you good?” Jack modulated his tone from exasperated and sarcastic to breathy with lustful innuendo in one short exchange.

“Um… yeah. Good.” I took his place leaning against the cool brick as he stared out again wordlessly. Definitely pensive, but I was staying quiet this time. Not my business.

“Today, tonight is about new beginnings. Do you feel it?” Jack wasn’t looking in my direction. He may have been trying to convince himself, and I was merely an unwitting audience to some tumultuous inner thoughts.

“I dunno. I suppose so.” I’d had enough gin and champagne to agree to almost anything that night. However, I liked the optimistic bent to his musing. Sure… new beginnings. I’d drink to it if I had a glass in my hand.

Jack glanced over his shoulder at me. His handsome face was clouded with something I couldn’t define. His forehead was wrinkled in deep thought. It made me curious about something I never would have had the audacity to ask if I weren’t slightly pickled.

“I know it’s none of my business, but… well, why are you sad about Peter and Jay getting married? They’ve been together for some time now.”

Jack came back to my side and leaned against the brick facing me. His features were half shadowed, and the tension radiating from him belied his casual pose. He was much closer than I would normally have been comfortable with, but I didn’t move a muscle.

“For the record, I’m not sad about the happy couple. In fact, I’m thrilled.” Jack swiped his hand over his face. I didn’t understand the gesture, but I sensed he was angry with himself. “It’s closure in a way.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Look, you don’t know me and I’m not trying to trip you out, but… I’m going to tell you something I didn’t just tell my poor worried baby sister….”

I stood perfectly still for fear of breaking the strange spell floating palpably in the air between us, waiting for Jack to continue. Standing just outside the party in the dark with a sexy man I barely knew who was about to reveal a secret was tantalizing to my gin-infused brain. I literally hung on Jack’s every word, wondering at the significance of our exchange and our meeting in general. Did it mean something? Or was I just drunk?

“Today… this ceremony… it feels final. It’s closure. It’s their beginning, which I’m really good with, as I tried to assure Kel. But it’s my personal final farewell in a way.”

Jack shifted against the wall and stared out into the dark evening. I remained still and silent.

“Peter is the past. My past. Now he’s someone else’s future. It’s time for me to figure out my future. You understand? You don’t actually have to say a word. I’m a shit for saying this stuff to a perfect stranger in the first place.”

“No. I don’t think that. I get it. The circle of life or something like it, right?”

Jack’s full mouth turned up at the corners in a weak grin that in no way reached his eyes.

“Maybe. But I’m not sad. I’m… look, for a period in my life he was my partner, lover, whatever you want to call it. It was a good run and yeah, it’s been over for some time. But marriage… I don’t know how well you know Peter, but this day is fucking huge. I couldn’t have imagined even suggesting wearing rings when we were… you know.”

“A couple?” I supplied, hoping to keep Jack talking. He seemed to need this little catharsis.

“We were never like what he has with Jay. Ever. I… I’m happy for my friend, and grateful we still are friends, but I admit… it feels weird. I feel like I got a friendly reminder to wake the fuck up and move on.” Jack straightened from the wall and turned to face me. “So today… on my ex’s wedding day, April 20, I’m moving forward. I wish I had something to toast with….”

Jack looked over toward the mansion, maybe considering if it were worth the trip to go inside to get a glass or two of champagne. I watched him carefully and caught his changing train of thought as he leaned into me. I blinked and let out a small gasp when I suddenly found myself pinned against the brick façade with Jack’s thick arms braced on either side of my head. My heart was beating out of my chest. I watched his cloudy expression as Jack struggled to gather control of his emotions or temper. He was wound tight, radiating with excess energy as he held himself inches from my body. I felt his warm breath against my mouth before he leaned down to gently brush his lips against mine.

My response was instantaneous. I reached up and held Jack’s head, running my fingers through the thick waves of his hair, loving the sensation of being held in place and kissed senseless by a bigger, stronger man. None of that was really happening, though. It was me creating a same-sex Harlequin romance by trapping the guy who was giving me a friendly peck on the lips. I moaned aloud, as I realized what a moron I was. Unbelievable. I’d really hoped not to embarrass myself immediately with the hottest guy I’d been kissed by in… well, years. No such luck. Jack chuckled softly and kissed my forehead before stepping back.

“Thank you.”

“For what?” I swallowed hard before attempting to speak.

“Listening. Not judging. Or at least keeping that part to yourself.” This time when Jack smiled, his blue eyes twinkled. I returned his grin and fought to think of something to say to keep him near me. I didn’t want him to go.

Jack offered a small smile and turned to leave. I didn’t think. I grabbed the sleeve of his coat silently, though maybe a little obnoxiously, asking him not to go.

“What is it, Curtis? What do you need?” He was back in my space, filling the air around me so every sense I had was attuned to him. His manly, musky scent, his larger-than-life presence, his very magnetic essence trapped me in a surreal cocoon. I’d asked for this. But I had no idea what to do now that I had Jack’s full attention. A niggling voice in the back of my head told me to take what I wanted. Just say it.

“Kiss me again.” Uncharacteristic of me, for sure. I knew some of my newfound confidence came from the copious amount of alcohol I’d had throughout the course of the day. The hangover I’d surely have in the morning might just be worth it if the look in Jack’s eyes were any indication.

“You kiss me,” he challenged, as he leaned back lazily against the brick.

I stepped away from the wall and between his thighs, keeping my eyes fixed on his. My heart was beating double-time, but I didn’t stop my forward motion as I gently set my right hand on his left shoulder. I tilted my head up and brushed my lips softly against his.

There. I did it. I kissed Jack.

I heard a sudden low growl and was afraid it was me. I was usually very careful not to give away too much, but Jack was dangerous. I was more attracted to him than I had been to anyone in a very long time. I heard the sound again and somehow registered it was Jack. He cupped the back of my head and drew me close, sealing his mouth over mine. My peck on the lips was evidently not his idea of a kiss. I was shocked at first, but the second his tongue licked a path across my mouth requesting entry I complied and responded, kissing him back as though my life depended on it. As though I’d never get another chance. I probably wouldn’t, I thought.
Take what you want
, that voice in my head repeated.

Jack was an expert kisser. I could have happily stood in the circle of his arms all night with his lips sealed against my own, his tongue prodding, licking, and taking everything on offer and then some. He drew back for breath and rested his forehead against mine, his hand still in my hair, anchoring me close to him. I opened my eyes and pulled away. I was panting softly and felt a little like I’d run a marathon as I stepped back and leaned against the wall to steady myself. We stared at one another, still wrapped up in the moment. Jack’s full lips were slightly swollen, his eyes blazing with desire.