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“Positive,” I replied. “I’d really like to finish our conversation.”
“You heard him, Greer,” Carter added. “I’m anxious about what he has to tell me. It’ll be good to have you here.”
Giving in, he ran a hand over his chiseled jaw. “Okay. You guys get the table, and I’ll take care of this,” he said, pulling out his wallet to settle the bar tab.
I reluctantly put some distance between us. Confusion, want, and need all swirled through me simultaneously as I followed my big brother. If he hadn’t shown up at that moment, would Greer have confessed his feelings for me? And if he had, how would I be able to handle a separation from him?
“We’re going to need to add one more to our reservation,” he informed Cassidy, resting his hand on my shoulder.
“Yes, sir. That’s no problem.”
She guided us to a quieter area in the back of the restaurant where we could talk without any interruptions. I took a seat opposite Carter and picked up the menu, trying to compose myself. All I wanted was to glance around and find Greer. I resisted as long as I could because I was sure it would only take one look at me for Carter to know how I felt about his friend.
Failing at my attempt to use self-control, I glanced up to find Greer as he moved quietly toward us, weaving between tables with confidence and ease. I drank in his handsome face and set jaw, but when he closed the distance and locked eyes with me, I couldn’t look away. With a self-deprecating smile, he took the seat between us.
Fucking hell. I was even more of a goner now than before. All I wanted was to experience a night with him, and by the way he’d reacted earlier, he wanted the same thing.
Carter picked up the conversation. “So, catch me up. Have you finalized everything for the team?”
“Yes,” he replied. “We’ll be moving everything to Portland in a few months. We’re hoping to have the expansion draft set up for early spring, before the Combine. I have a head coach in mind, and there’s a junior quarterback I want at Stanford.”
I listened while they continued to talk. Every time Greer glanced at me and shifted in his seat, his knee brushed against mine. All it did was convince me we were on the same page.
Carter’s phone buzzed on the table, catching his attention. He checked the caller ID before picking it up. “Sorry, guys. I’m going to step out and take this. It’s time sensitive, or I’d wait until tomorrow. Be right back.”
He pushed his chair back and got up, searching for a quiet place to take his call. Anticipation and desire filled me when I looked at Greer. He was concentrating on his highball glass when I interrupted his thoughts.
“I’m leaving tomorrow,” I said. “And I was hoping maybe you’d spend the night with me at my hotel.”
Greer’s head shot up, and his brows rose. But there was no mistaking his interest when his eyes locked onto mine. His expression said he was surprised and shocked at my boldness. But the desire in his gaze was encouraging.
“Austin--”
I stopped him. “Don’t say you’re too old for me, Greer. I’m not a kid, and I’m not asking for a commitment. All I want is one night to explore whatever this insane attraction is between us.” I ran my hand over his thigh again. “I just want to spend some time with you.”
He stared at me for a moment too long, obviously conflicted. My skin tingled at the thought of dropping to my knees for him. He glanced over his shoulder in the direction Carter had walked, then back to me.
Picking up his glass, he took a swallow before placing it down on the table. I watched his long fingers wrap around it and wondered if he’d use that same grip on me.
“Why would you want to waste your time with me, Austin?”
His question and my dirty thoughts caused me to shift in my seat. Calmly, as if I were unaffected by his hesitation, I looked him in the eyes. “I think we both know the answer to that. You haven’t stopped touching me since I sat down next to you at the bar. So, maybe I should be asking you what you want?”
Greer ran a hand over his jaw, and I could see the worry in his eyes pleading with me. He was torn, so I squeezed his thigh to remind him I was serious.
“I can’t seem to help myself when I’m around you. There’s a physical need to put my hands on you, and I don’t understand why.”
He lifted his glass again and downed the rest of his drink. Reaching under the table, he covered my hand with his and squeezed as we stared at one another.
“Have you ever been with a man?” I whispered.
He shook his head slowly, and I could understand his apprehension. “I’m not afraid of the possibility, if that’s what you’re thinking. But I don’t understand this pull I only feel with you. I’ve tried to ignore it for a long time, but I’m not sure I can anymore.”
I couldn’t contain the smile that grew wider with every beat of my heart. “I can help you figure that out. It doesn’t have to mean anything.”
That might have been the biggest lie I’d told myself or anyone else, because it did mean something. He meant something to me. But I didn’t want to scare him off.
I leaned forward just a bit, making sure his eyes were on me. “I really want to kiss you. But we’ll take things as they come.”
