Four Fun (Four)

“I told you that last night,” Shane says, looking sullen.

“You did?” I say, thinking back. “I don’t remember.”

“That’s nice,” Shane says flatly.

I shrug and gather the last few pieces of macaroni on my fork. It doesn’t matter. I never imagined I’d be stuck at a table making conversation with him.

“We’re only doing construction on Rusty’s because we’re friends with the Stone brothers,” Khalil says. “We worked with them on a property in Charlotte and they asked for our help on this project.”

“We still like to do the work ourselves occasionally,” Devin says.

“Do you know their partner, Caz?” I ask.

“Marcos and I met her,” Khalil says, nodding.

“She’s the one writing science fiction,” I tell him excitedly, “the friend I told you about.”

Beyond Khalil, Shane is frowning, probably pissy about the fact that Khalil and I had a conversation that he wasn’t part of. I’m tempted to say more just to see how angry I can make him. He definitely needs to get over himself.

After dinner, the guys decide to watch a movie. While Shane is navigating through menus on the TV, Devin checks the weather forecast and tells us that the storm is still going strong all around us but should be ending in a few hours.

I’m in a chair in the living room, having a hard time believing that only a few hours ago, I was on the couch with Khalil, about to get naked. Now, I’m surrounded by not one, but four incredibly sexy men, but there’s not going to be any action at all — unless you count the movie Shane’s putting on, which is starting off with a car chase.

The lead actor is good looking, but the movie is pretty dumb, so I scroll around on my phone for a while, and even close my eyes for a few minutes. What a waste of a night off from work.

A particularly loud scream in the movie startles my eyes open. Now, the lead is hanging onto a rope and a woman as he dangles off of a skyscraper. He’s shirtless now, so I sit up a little straighter — and then everything goes dark.

11

Pent-up frustration

“What the fuck?” Shane mutters.

Another voice, I think Devin’s, says, “I was afraid this would happen.”

We’re all still for a minute, waiting, as Khalil says, “Maybe it’ll come back on.”

But the electricity appears to be out for a while.

“Hope everyone’s phone is charged,” Devin says.

Mine’s at about twenty percent. I have a charger cord in my car, but it’s useless now.

With the lights out and everything gone quiet, I’m somehow even more aware of the men than I was before. I can smell them, and I swear I can even hear them breathing and feel their body heat around me.

“Can someone show me the way to my room?” I say, thinking I’d better get out of this tempting situation.

“If you don’t want to be alone in the dark, you can sleep with me.” It’s Shane making the offer, of course, and as annoying as he’s been tonight, his words spark memories of our encounter last night. He definitely knew how to please me, and I’ll bet we’d have a lot of fun in his bed.

But becoming further entangled with these men would definitely be a bad idea, especially since they’ll be working at Rusty’s for a couple of months. I don’t need Shane around acting jealous when all of the summer boys come to town.

Soon, Four Points is going to be teaming with hot, horny vacationers looking for no-strings action. I had a lot of fun last summer, and I expect the next few months will be the same.

“Where’s the guest room?” I repeat, ignoring Shane. “Or I can just sleep on the couch.”

“Here, follow me.” Khalil reaches for me, his face illuminated by the light of his phone’s screen. “It’s upstairs.”

With my hand gripped in his, I can’t help but think yet again how differently this night could have gone if he would have led me upstairs before everyone else came home. His hands — and mouth — had felt so good on my body.

“Here’s a bathroom,” he says, stopping in the doorway and shining the light inside. “There are towels in the closet if you want to take a shower in the morning, assuming the power’s back on.”

The guest room is right next door. When we’re inside, Khalil lets go of my hand, and I instantly miss the contact with his body.

“If you need anything, I’m up the hall, but let me give you my number, too, just in case. That way you don’t have to wander around in the dark.”

I hand him my phone and he adds himself as a contact before giving it back. He pauses for a moment, looking hesitant. When he ducks to kiss me, I turn my head, so his lips land on my cheek. In contrast to Shane, Khalil doesn’t complain. “Goodnight, Becca.”