“You’re right, but I needed you too,” I say.
His smile is blinding. “I think my energy is better spent finishing off my thesis, then I’ll move. Like I planned to. It’s hard to be logical when I miss Foster so much.”
“I get it. And all I’m saying is you better have somewhere for me to sleep because I’ll be visiting all the damn time.”
Jacobs’s voice comes from up ahead. “Cohen, since when were you wearing a scarf?”
Richie shrugs. “Thought it looked good.”
Beck immediately jumps in. “Hey, did you see that bird? Oops, it’s gone now. Also, did you know that jelly beans are covered in shellac which is made from bug shit? You’re welcome.”
Richie catches my eye over his shoulder. I know we’re thinking the same thing.
At this rate, Beck’s going to give us away by dinner.
Just as Richie’s finishing his steak, I pull my phone into my lap under the table and send him a message. Just two words. Words that I know will get him away from the table and upstairs to our room.
Einstein: I’m horny.
His chair shoots straight out. “Ah …” His gaze sweeps the table. “I’m tired. Night.” He leaves with all the finesse of a rampaging rhino.
“Did he hit his head too?” Zach asks.
It kills me to wait ten minutes before following him.
“Since I’m driving home in the morning, I should probably head up.” I stand at the same time as Beck does.
“I’ll come with you.”
“Already?” Jacobs glances at his half-finished plate, and Beck pats him on the shoulder.
“You stay and finish. You’re going to need your energy later.”
Apparently those are the magic words because Jacobs turns back to his food, and I try not to sigh as Beck falls into step beside me.
“So … good night last night?”
I hit the button for the elevator. “It was fine.”
“Only fine? Geez, Cohen better up his game.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Somehow my voice comes out flat, even as I’m internally squirming.
The elevator arrives, and Beck follows me in. “No point trying to lie. Thanks to your brother, I know what a hickey looks like.”
“That sounds kinky. Does Jacobs know?”
Beck laughs. “Actually, he used to come to practice covered in them. Personally, I think Zach would have been better off sucking on something else.”
I choke on air. “Please stop talking.”
“All I’m saying is either Cohen gave it to himself, or he went out at three a.m., got himself a hookup, and then crawled into bed to spoon you, or …” He pins me in his stare. “Your guilty look at lunch gave you both away and now you’re sneaking up here for round two. Or three. Or … four?”
“You’re an idiot.” I try to storm away as soon as the doors open to our floor, but Beck is hot on my heels.
“All I’m saying is when a man and a man love each other very much—”
“Dear God.”
“—hooking up is totally natural. No judgment. But …” He grabs my arm and pulls me to a stop. “As my boyfriend’s best friend’s little brother—”
“I’m the older brother.”
He narrows his eyes. “Nah, I don’t see it.”
“I don’t think you know how childbirth works.”
“Maybe I’ll knock up Jacobs and see firsthand.”
I cringe. “I don’t think you know how biology works either.”
“Biology? That sounds like a challenge to try harder to me.”
I’d call him an idiot—again—but I can tell by the teasing glint in his eye that he’s joking. “What do you want?”
“In all seriousness, your secret is safe with me.”
I eye him warily.
“I promise.”
“Okay, we’re done here, then.”
My room is only a few doors away, and I close the distance as quickly as I can without running.
Beck’s voice follows me. “What happens in Montreal, stays in Montreal.”
I glance back at him just in time to see him point at me.
“Except STDs. So don’t forget to wrap your shit.”
I cannot swipe into my room fast enough, and when I do, I find Richie in our bed. Shirtless. He sits up, and the sheet shifts over the impressive bulge below the waist.
My feet freeze, my mouth gapes, and I’m struck with the realization that I’m the biggest moron on the planet.
I could’ve had this man months ago.
“Are you going to join me or just keep staring?”
“I’m undecided.”
“Want to watch me jerk off again?” He removes the sheet completely, revealing his hard cock.
“Decision made!” I scramble out of my clothes as fast as humanly possible and crash tackle him on the bed. I have to hold back a moan as his arms close around me, enveloping me in all things Richie. His warmth, his scent … I bury my face in his neck.
He laughs. “So not going to watch that again, then.”
I don’t answer him with words. I just fuse our mouths together and rut against him until I can’t take any more. It’s almost embarrassing how fast I come, and I would worry about being too fast on the trigger if Richie didn’t follow me over the edge a minute later.