Forbidden Heat

“But if you still have feelings for him . . . why couldn’t you continue what you had before?”

His gaze sharpened. “Who said I still have feelings for him?”

She stroked his cheek. “I think there’s still something between you. I think the two of you could—”

He grasped her arms. “Look, Danielle. Jake and I did have something special back in college, but it didn’t work out. Okay?”

How could she argue with the denial in his eyes, even though she was sure in his heart, he felt differently?

Jake tied his robe and stepped into the living room. It was later than he’d thought. He and Trey and Danielle had plans today and damn Rico hadn’t left yet. He’d already caused Jake enough inconvenience. Jake didn’t intend to lose his Sunday with his friends.

Of course, the thought of Danielle’s soft body pressed against his, his cock buried inside her, Trey on the other side of her . . . sent blood flooding to his groin. More than friends. A relationship he didn’t want to lose anytime soon.

Rico stood at the window, staring out through the partially open horizontal blinds. “Ah, you should see your friends.”

“My friends?” If Trey and Danielle had arrived, they might misinterpret Rico’s being here. He glanced out the window and saw Danielle and Trey in a passionate embrace. The sight sent a confusing surge of jealousy through him.

“It seems they’re more interested in each other than in you,” Rico said.

As Jake watched, Trey opened the door and he and Danielle stood talking intently. A moment later, Danielle got into the car.

“What the hell? Why are they leaving?”

“I don’t know. I just told them you were in the shower.”

Jake’s gaze took in the towel loosely wrapped around Rico’s narrow waist, and could just imagine the conversation.

“You led them to believe we’re together again.”

Rico didn’t flinch, but Jake knew him well enough.

Damn, things were tenuous enough as it was with Trey. And Danielle . . . He did not want to lose her.

He glared at Rico. “Get the hell out of here. Now!”

He strode to the door and opened it, then yelled to Trey as he was getting in the car. “Trey! Wait!”

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nbsp; He slammed the door behind him and strode across his front lawn, wearing only his blue terry robe.

Danielle glanced around at Jake’s voice. She stepped out of the car, and she and Trey walked toward Jake.

“Sorry I’m not quite ready. I guess you’re wondering what Rico is doing here.”

“You don’t need to explain, Jake,” Danielle responded.

“I know. It’s just that it’s not what it appears. Rico moved recently, and when I went to drive him home last night, he wouldn’t tell me his new address. I couldn’t just dump him in the street, so I brought him back here. He slept in the guest room . . . and I’m not idiot enough to start up with him again. He’s just too . . . emotional.”

Relief swept through her. So she hadn’t lost Jake yet.

The garage door opened, and a moment later a sporty black car backed out of the driveway and sped away with a squeal of tires, Rico’s hand with a single-finger salute stuck out the window at them.

Trey grinned, and they all began to laugh.

Jake shook his head. “I’m not sure what I saw in him in the first place.”

“Well, a great physique and exotic good looks for one,” Trey answered.