Over the Edge (Bridge #3)(27)
I halted what I was doing and glanced up. I hadn’t seen much of him for the past few days. I figured he was working extra hours at the site, but whatever it was, he looked more intense than usual.
“Everything okay?”
“It’s about Olivia.”
We hadn’t discussed my rendezvous with Liv in the kitchen after their all-night f*ck fest several nights ago, and I hadn’t seen Olivia since. I didn’t figure any of it needed an explanation, but the look in Will’s eyes hinted that something else was at stake.
“Is there a problem?”
He glanced away, gnawing at his lip for a second before returning his focus to me. “I want to be careful with her. This isn’t going to be a once-and-done thing for me.”
I stood and faced him, man to man. We were the same height and of similar build. He was leaner where I was a little stockier, but we were evenly matched. I’d never felt threatened by Will, but something about this conversation was putting me on the defensive.
“What are you saying? You want me to back off?” I sure as hell didn’t want to. If that’s what he wanted, I had to start looking for a new place to stay as soon as possible. I couldn’t have her that close to me. I couldn’t listen to her cries of pleasure night after night and keep my hands off of her. There was just no way.
“No, I like the arrangement we have. I just don’t want to scare her off because of it. We talked about it, and I think she’ll be fine. But I don’t want to take anything for granted.”
I lifted my eyebrows and rubbed my chin. I couldn’t imagine how that conversation might have gone. That she might be open to being with us both was as shocking as it was arousing. I was that much closer to having her for myself, and the prospect had taken over my thoughts in an instant.
“What did she say?”
“She panicked at first, of course. Getting her into my bed to begin with wasn’t exactly easy. She’s not like the others, Ian. You know I can talk anyone into having us both for one night after a couple martinis. It’s a fantasy, not a commitment. I want her to know what she’s getting into.”
I thought about his words. We’d never hooked up with the same girl more than once or twice. Negotiations were easy. They started with an indecent proposal and ended with a yes or a no. At the end of the day, we were a hard combination to resist. I hadn’t known anyone to leave unsatisfied, but Will and I weren’t the kind of guys to get tied down. Had I heard him right?
“You want a commitment?”
“No.” He bit out a curse under his breath. “Just be careful with her, all right?”
I winced and took a step toward him. “Have I ever been anything but careful with the women we’ve been with?”
His expression softened. He ran a hand through his already messy hair. “Sorry, you’re right. She’s got me twisted up. I don’t know what the f*ck I’m saying half the time.”
“You haven’t been around the apartment much. What’s up?”
He shrugged. “I’ve been here trying to push the pace. If we can wrap up and get the gym open early, all the better.”
“Why the rush?”
“To be honest, I’m sick of getting death glares from her brother. I’m biting my tongue for now because I respect him, but I’m not going to back down. I’m pretty sure the only reason we haven’t come to blows is because of the business relationship we’re both trying to maintain. Working on this project together is an uncomfortable complication. I want to get past it as quickly as possible.”
I nodded. “Understandable.” On both sides.
I wasn’t sure what the future held for him and Olivia, but if I was going to be involved in any way, I only prayed that Darren never found out.
Chapter Eight
WILL
“Thanks for making the time,” Jia murmured into my ear as she hugged me. When we separated, she took a seat across from me at the barroom table and glanced at the cocktail menu. “What’s good here?”
“Everything,” I said.
We’d agreed to meet at Superhero, a new bar that had opened up in the neighborhood. The drinks were strong and the atmosphere was relaxed.
Jia’s dark-brown hair was held up in a twist. I imagine she’d changed out of her requisite pencil skirt and designer blouse in favor of the dark jeans she wore with a silky top that rippled every time a breeze came through the open-air bar.
When the waitress came by, she ordered a cocktail. Leaning back in her chair, she eyed me. “So how’s it going?”
“It’s been busy. Trying to renovate multiple spaces at once is no small trick.”
“I can’t wait to see the new condos when they’re finished.”
“It’s going quick. I think I’m going to snag the penthouse for myself though.”
“What about Ian?”
A smirk curved my lips. “What about Ian?”
She played with the square diamond stud that sparkled in her ear. “You two make quite the team. I’d hate to see that change.”
“I haven’t thought much about it, to be honest. The roommate situation was supposed to be temporary, but if he wants to crash at the new place, I have no issues with that.”