Reflected in You(77)

"Taking on Brett took guts -  he's a barroom brawler who loves a good fight."


"And Gideon is a trained mixed martial artist."


I began digging through the bag Gideon had brought.


"Why didn't you tell me Captive Soul had signed with a major label?" "Because you didn't need to fall into that hole again.


There are girls who can date rock stars; you're not one of them.


All that time on the road, all those groupies .


You'd drive yourself and him insane."


I shot him a look.


"I'm in total agreement with you.


But I'm insulted that you'd think I'd run back to him just because he made it big."


"That's not why.


I didn't want you to hear their first single if it could be helped."


"'Golden'?" "Yeah ."


He studied me as I headed toward the bathroom.


"What'd you think of it?" "It's better than a song titled 'Tapped That.'" "Ha!" He waited until I came out again with my face washed and hair brushed.


"So .


you kissed him."


"That's the beginning and end of that story," I said dryly.


"Have you talked to Trey since Friday?" "No.


They've got my phone somewhere.


My wallet, too, I'm guessing.


When I came to, I was here, wearing this" - he pinched at his hospital gown - "freakin' thing."


"I'll get your stuff for you."


I dumped my toiletries back in the bag, then went to sit in the chair beside him with my coffee in hand.


"Gideon's making arrangements to get you home with a private nurse."


"Ooh .


that's a fantasy of mine.


Can you make sure the nurse is hot? And single?" My brows rose.


Inside, though, I was so relieved to see him looking and sounding more like himself.


"You're obviously feeling better, if you're feeling frisky.


How did things go with Trey?" "Good."


He sighed.


"I'd worried that the party wouldn't be his scene.


I forgot that he knew a lot of the people already."


Cary and Trey had met at a photo shoot, with Cary modeling and Trey assisting the photographer behind the camera.


"I'm glad you had a good time."


"Yeah.


He was totally set on not getting laid."


"So you tried .


after you said you wouldn't."


"This is me we're talking about."


He rolled his eyes.


"Hell yeah, I tried.


He's hot and great in bed - " " - and in love with you."


He released his pent-up breath in a rush, wincing as his chest expanded.


"No one's perfect."


I had to bite back a laugh.


"Cary Taylor.


Loving you isn't a character defect."


"Well, it's not very smart.


I was such an * to him," he muttered, looking disgruntled.


"He could do so much better."


"That isn't your decision to make for him."


"Someone needs to make it."


"And you're volunteering because you love him, too."


My mouth curved.


"Don't you think that sounds ass- backwards?" "I don't love him enough."


All traces of levity were wiped from his face, leaving behind the wounded and lonely man I knew all too well.


"I can't be faithful like he wants.


Just him and me.


I like women.


Love them, actually.


I'd be cutting off half of who I am.


Just thinking about it makes me resent him."


"You fought too hard to accept yourself," I said softly, remembering that time with more than a little twinge of sadness.


"I totally understand and don't disagree, but have you tried talking to Trey about it?" "Yes, I talked to him about it.


He listened."


He rubbed his fingers over his brow.


"I get it, I do.


If he told me he wanted to bang some other guy while seeing me, it'd bother the f*ck out of me."


"But not if it were a woman?" "No.


I don't know.


Shit."


His bloodshot green eyes pleaded with me.


"Would it make a difference to you if Cross were banging another man? Or just another woman?" The door opened and Gideon walked in.


I held his gaze when I said, "If Gideon's dick touched anything but his hand or me, we'd be over."


His brows rose.


"Well, then."