The Secret (Winslow Brothers 3)

A soft laugh jumps from my chest. “Nadine would lose her shit if she knew her first editions were going for that much.”

Ty squeezes my shoulder on a chuckle, and eventually, I slide my mother’s book back onto the shelf and pull the glass door closed.

“Did you find anything good?” I ask him, and he shakes his head.

“I think it’s a sign I have too many books.”

“Too many books?” I question on a theatrical gasp. “That’s blasphemous, Ty. Take those words back right now.”

“Relax, little bookworm,” he says with a chuckle and squeezes my ass. “I’m just kidding.”

“Thank goodness,” I say and brush my hand over my forehead. “Otherwise, we couldn’t be friends anymore.”

“Friends?” he questions with a waggle of his brows. “Rach, my cock has been inside you too many times for us to be just friends.”

I giggle at that. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

“Damn straight,” he volleys back. “Now, are you ready to get out of here and do something…unexpected?”

“Unexpected?” I nod. “Hm. Yeah. Okay. You have my attention.”

“So, I know you already found the hottest guy in the world, but are you up for another challenge?”

“Hottest guy in the room,” I correct him on a laugh, but he ignores me completely.

“I know it’s no easy feat finding the hottest guy in the universe, but this challenge is doable. Fun, even.”

“Oh, so you’re the hottest guy in the universe now?”

He waggles his brows again. “It’s a tough job, baby, but somehow, I manage.”

“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re a little bit full of yourself?”

“Hottest guy in existence? Yes, I’ve been told. But full of myself?” He taps his chin like he’s actually thinking about it. “Nah. I don’t recall that one.”

I playfully shove at his chest. “What’s the big challenge?”

“Now, don’t get excited. I know when I say big, you’re automatically thinking about my cock,” he whispers into my ear. “Which, I get. I do have a big cock.”

I roll my eyes even though I can’t deny the facts—Ty is big. Like, the biggest I’ve ever been with. Though, I’m keeping that information to myself for obvious reasons.

“Are you ever going to get to the point?” I question with a defiant hand to my hip. “Or are we just going to stand inside this bookstore while you wax poetic about yourself?”

“C’mon, bossy.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders and guides me out of the bookstore and toward the nearest crosswalk. “It’s challenge time.”

As we cross the street, I realize I’m smiling so big it’s starting to hurt my cheeks. Which then makes me roll my eyes and laugh silently. This man, I swear. How does he always manage to put me in a good mood?

Because he’s the one…

I pause, chastising my own thought, and then finish it in a way that makes me feel at least a modicum better.

Because he’s the one chasing your happiness.

Ty

I grab Rachel’s hand and lead her to a shop I spotted right before we walked into the bookstore. Originally, I didn’t even consider it as something we needed to check out, but after I found her standing in the aisle with her mother’s book in her hands and her eyes glazed over with emotion, it became imperative.

But it’s not for the reasons most people would think. It’s a hell of a lot more complex and solely based on intuition.

When we come to a halt in front of the entrance, Rachel stares up at the sign that hangs above the door and contains only two words—Secret Pleasures.

“You brought me to a sex toy shop?” she asks and glances between me and the sign.

“I sure did.” I grin at her and step forward to open the door. “Just…trust me, okay?”

“Why do those feel like famous last words?” she retorts back, and I chuckle.

“Just get your sexy ass inside so I can tell you the challenge.”

She stares at me for a long moment before huffing out a melodramatic sigh and stepping over the threshold.

“Welcome to the best sex toys that New York can offer,” I announce and gesture toward the inside of the store with an accommodating hand. “This store is legendary. Anyone who is anyone has been inside these four walls. Marilyn Monroe. Frank Sinatra. Three of the Kardashians. Rumor has it that Jack Nicholson buys all his favorite ladies a special gift from this very place.”

“Jack Nicholson?” She stares forward, her eyes taking in the discreet shop that is filled with just about every kind of sex-related toy, lube, lingerie, dildo, game that you can imagine. “Are you serious?”

“Not at all,” I answer with a wink. “But I’m sure you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for.”

“Oh my God, I should’ve known!” Rachel’s responding giggles make my heart feel like it’s about to burst through my damn rib cage. “You’re insane.”

“When you say insane, I’m pretty sure you mean awesome and handsome and really fucking fun.”