Happenstance(20)

I’m still waiting for the punch line.

Or my alarm clock to go off.

Beneath my apron, I pinch my thigh just to be sure I’m truly awake. Even though I already know the answer. I’m bright eyed and bushy tailed—and I could never dream these three men up in such specific detail. Could never imagine three presences so…tremendous.

There is no way I’m considering this. Obviously. Because it’s straight up kooky. Just like everyone and everything in my life, they will expect more from me than I know how to give.

“Do you guys need me to walk you out? Or can you find the exit yourselves?”

A lip twitch from Banks.

Gabe seems powerless to do anything but gravitate closer to me.

“You’re not even going to consider it?” Tobias asks, with his signature smile that doesn’t show in his eyes. “That’s all?”

“That’s all,” I confirm. “Honestly, men are nothing but irritating. Once or twice, I thought I found a decent one and officially started dating him. Sure, it starts out great. Then suddenly I’m required to check in all the time. Let him know where I’m going, when I’ll be home. I have to be available for daily phone calls. About nothing. Why do women subject themselves to this?” I gesture at the row of incredibly good-looking men, wondering in the back of my mind if I have a screw loose to turn down their offer to worship me. “Showing up at my office like this doesn’t really give me casual vibes. It feels like a trap. I’m not getting sucked in by the promise of orgasms. Then suddenly I’m picking up three pairs of dirty socks on my floor. Uh-uh. Nope.”

“Elise, I’ll eat your pussy like it’s the last slice of chocolate fucking cake,” Tobias deadpans. “You know how I do it, love.”

“I should punch you in the face for talking to me like that,” I manage, using all of my control to hide the fact that my legs have turned into gelatin molds. Chocolate. Cake?

“Why don’t you?” Tobias winks at me. “Is it because I’m too pretty?”

“Once again, I am asking that you please shut up,” Banks bites off.

Tobias holds up his hands in surrender.

“If you said yes…” Gabe begins, slowly unzipping his hoodie, taking it off and laying it on the kitchen counter that runs along the wall to his left. Beneath it, he’s wearing a white T-shirt that is so thin and ancient, I can see right through it. To the maze of tattoos on his beefy chest. The colorful patterns of ink run all the way up the right side of his neck. They take up every inch of space on his thick arms. I start to question why he’s taking off his hoodie when he is moments from leaving the building, but…it becomes very obvious why.

Everything south of my belly button is melting like hot wax.

I can’t help but envision that powerful body on top of me. Behind me.

Gabe’s hoodie removal is effective. Even more so when he comes closer, hitting me with soulful eye contact and the smell of sawdust. “If you say yes, I promise not to expect phone calls from you,” he says gruffly, working man’s fingers flexing at his sides. “But I can’t promise I won’t be happy when I get one.”

“Same,” Banks says, his voice an octave lower.

“Make that three,” Tobias sighs.

“We’re not…” I sputter, pressing my back tighter to the door. “This is not a negotiation of terms. I’m saying no. Hell no, actually.” My rapidly dampening underwear is calling me a liar, but I ignore the barb. “Are none of you going to address that I lied to you about being a reporter? No one is going to point out that, in reality, I’m a sandwich delivery person?”

That question brings them up short.

It brings me up short, too. I wasn’t planning on saying that.

“And I used to come on camera for a living,” Tobias says, narrowed eyes riveted on my face. “No one is passing any sort of judgment here. Your profession is irrelevant.”

“Maybe to you,” I rasp, suddenly feeling winded. “When you three walked in—”

“You mean the Tram Fam,” Tobias interrupts.

Banks smacks him in the shoulder.

Gabe whips a growl in the Brit’s direction.

“I will never say those words out loud,” I inform the room.

“Please continue, Elise,” Banks says, refocusing on me. “When we walked in…?”

I have to take a deep breath before I continue, because they are so close and their scents combine to create some kind of intoxicating super scent, which must be the reason I have goosebumps all down my arms and legs. “When you walked in, I was telling the managing editor, Karina, about my trip to Roosevelt Island. I didn’t lie about being there as a reporter. Problem is, I am not employed as a reporter, as you can tell by this incredibly unflattering apron.” I look at Gabe, resisting the urge to walk into his arms when I remember very distinctly how warm and secure I feel inside of them. “I was there to follow a different story. One involving your union boss, Gabe. Jameson Crouch. I asked you out so I could…I thought maybe you could give me closer access to him, because I think he might be in cahoots with the deputy mayor. I think they might be sabotaging the mayor. But…using you for information didn’t feel right. I couldn’t use you like that. So I left without making firm plans. Okay?”