“He settled in beside me, and I curled into him. Cocooned in Wes. God, it felt so good. “Thank you,” I whispered. “I’ve never felt so amazing.”“I wanted you in my life from the beginning, Mal. Any way I could have you.” He snuggled me closer. “Even if it meant just as friends.”I couldn’t help snorting. “Thank God that’s not the case.”He chuckled and gave me a squeeze. “Amen, my friend.”

“Remember how it felt yesterday? What you saw me do?” I snorted and grinned. “Man, do I ever. I remembered twice last night and again this morning.”

“I really liked the leer he sent my way even as he covered up the goods with those pants again. I turned around like I was looking for my shirt as I wiggled my ass into my jeans. He groaned. Yep, the straight guy was liking him some skinny boy butt.”

“I sighed and wondered if I'd done it- made a friend. I hoped I had even as I wondered if it was a mistake. If nothing else, I supposed, one good thing had come from all this. Now there was a colorful little sprinkle on the vanilla pudding of my life.”

“I’ll leave before anyone wakes up. Promise.” “They’ll hear us,” I said, my heart pounding in growing panic. “I’ll take off my boots.” “How will that help you keep your mouth shut while we have sex?”

“He shifted his attention back to me and leaned in closer. “I told you to behave. I don’t want to have to arrest you ever again.”“Um . . . okay.”I felt him slide something under my hand. He leaned in even closer, his mouth by my ear, and whispered, “Although I wouldn’t mind handcuffing you.”Oh. My. God.”

“Dad, youre so far off the mark I can't even...Lincoln hasn't pressured me at all!" I grabbed my bag and heaved it onto my back. "WE'RE JUST FRIENDS! He's not even interested in me like that - and thanks to you," I shook my head at him in utter disbelief, "he never will now.”