“How can that be? You’re a rock star.”
“Rock star might be overstating things,” I admitted. “But we’re getting there. After our last tour, we agreed to take some time off. And time off is boring.”
“Tegan mentioned that you were working on new material,” he prodded conversationally.
“Yeah, we’re still meeting in the studio to work on new music, but we’re not in a hurry to get our third album out. Everybody wants to relax for a change…with their significant others. As the lone single dude, I’m literally waiting for paint to dry so I can chill in my new house.”
Sean chuckled. “That’s bleak.”
“I know. Maybe that’s why I’m fascinated by tonight. This feels like a lot of coincidence,” I commented idly.
“How so?”
“What are the chances that my friend’s ex is my neighbor and that his ex-wife works for my interior designer, who happened to hire the contractor who just finished a job for you?”
“Well, real estate agents, designers, and contractors have a bit of overlap. LA is a big city and a small town at the same time. We’re both queer and we have mutual friends. But that’s where the coincidence ends. It’s not like we live next door to each other.”
“Hmm. Well, now that I know you have better toys than me, I’m kinda disappointed.”
Sean huffed. “Very funny.”
“C’mon, tell me more about the naked dude,” I urged, waggling my brows. “Why’d you send him away?”
“I don’t like surprises. Especially naked ones. They usually come with strings attached,” he said matter-of-factly before taking a sip of beer. “I’m not in the habit of having gentleman callers over very often. When and if I do make an exception, it’s on my terms. I had to run to the club unexpectedly. Thaniel should have been long gone by the time I returned. I don’t know what he was thinking, but I don’t like games, and I don’t like being manipulated.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re fuckin’ nuts. If he’s doing the manipulating, I’d be all for it. Sex doesn’t have to be some mind game. It’s just supposed to be a good time.”
“If you’re on the same page…sure. If not, you wind up inviting needless trouble into your life. I have two kids. They come first.”
His steely tone brooked no argument. He was all badass and businesslike. If I worked for him or was interested in getting into his pants, I might have been intimidated. Since neither applied and I didn’t have anything interesting to go home to, I couldn’t resist teasing him a bit.
I pursed my lips and nodded. “Got it. So why did he call you Daddy? Does he want you to adopt him?”
Sean leveled me with a fierce look, then shrugged. “I think he just wanted me to fuck him.”
I froze with my mouthful of beer before letting out an undignified snort that quickly morphed into laughter. “Poor you.”
“Hey, my experience with guys who want to call me Daddy has been enlightening, to say the least. They either want my money or my connections.”
“Not your sweet personality?” I asked sarcastically.
Sean grinned. “Nope. I’m all for games in the bedroom, but I don’t play that shit in real life.”
His expression changed slightly. He didn’t seem unfriendly, but he was definitely guarded. He reminded me of a battle-ready warrior with his laser-sharp gaze and the rigid set of his jaw. It was a little scary. So much for not being intimidated. When my mouth went dry and my pulse raced, I had to remind myself I wasn’t his target.
There was no reason for me to feel jumpy. In fact, there was really no reason for me to be here at all.
“Noted.” I tipped back my bottle, then set it on the island and stood. “I should get going. Thanks for the beer.”
“Anytime.”
Sean escorted me through the formal living area, making small talk about borrowing sugar or something inane that reminded us that we really didn’t know each other. We had a friend or two in common. That was it. Pointedly discussing booty call rules one second and offering a phony neighborly handshake the next was jarring as fuck. However, there was no point in pretending we’d ever be more than acquaintances. I’d see him at Tegan’s house when—
“The color wheel.” I snapped my fingers, stopping in my tracks before we reached the foyer. “I knew I was here for a reason.”
“Oh, right. Let me grab it.”
I stuffed my hands into my pockets and waited, checking out the molding on the highest part of the ceiling…just because. When Sean didn’t return right away, I moved to the archway dividing the space to see what was keeping him. He was talking to someone. No, scratch that…he was talking to a dog. I heard the distinct tap of paws on hardwood flooring and the excited panting of a happy pup who was ready to play.