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“I didn’t realize it was a pool party.”

“It’s summer, Tay.”

Wishing I’d brought a swimsuit, I can’t help but notice how sexy all the women look. Looking closer, I realize that getting in may be in the cards if I have enough to drink.

“Wait, are they in their under⁠—”

Sipping my drink with a smirk, I turn on my heel to take in the other side, when I hear my name being called.

“Fia!” a bass voice echoes from a few steps over.

My hair whips seductively over my shoulder. In hot pursuit toward us, two gentlemen about the same height stride in our direction. The closer they get, I recognize one as Brandon, but the other I haven’t met before.

Cleaner cut than Brandon’s tattooed appearance, the man beside him walks with a touch more sophistication. As they approach, I’m able to take a better look at my last hookup’s partner. Older in age, up close, he’s wider than his friend. More defined in all the areas I like, which piques my interest.

“Hey, how are you?” I brighten, angling my entire body so it’s right in front of theirs. I immediately love the feeling of both of their eyes on me.

“I’m so glad you could make it.” He grins.

With widened arms, I slip under one of them, giving a half hug.

“Yeah, thanks so much for the invite.”

Taylor scoots closer, and I put my hand on the small of her back, forcing her into our circle.

“This is my friend, Taylor.”

The red tone of her dress glistens under the moody light. Her shy disposition comes off as effortlessly sexy, and I can tell Brandon is automatically interested. Grabbing her hand, his touch is soft. Very different from how I remember. Watching as Taylor shivers, my cheeks dimple at their interaction.

“Thanks for tagging along. I almost made the pool lights red, and now I wish I would’ve,” Brandon flirts, lifting Taylor’s hand to kiss it.

I can’t help smiling as I watch her face shift to match her dress.

I’m by no means attached to Brandon. Hell, if he hadn’t remembered me, I never would’ve thought about him after our hookup.

If she’s into him, he’s fair game.

“I didn’t get your name.”

I turn to the quiet man taking up all the air beside me. He smells of wood and musk. A scent rich men douse themselves in. It’s universal, like they all buy the same cologne, but it’s an aphrodisiac, nonetheless.

“It doesn’t take long for him to get distracted, does it?”

Thick eyebrows lift his face, his dark features more noticeable the longer he looks at me. When he reaches out his hand, I put my freshly manicured fingers into his. I gasp discreetly at the strength behind his palm as his eyes bore into mine.

“I’m Steven,” he introduces, keeping our palms interlocked.

“A-Are you guys brothers?” I stutter, set on fire by his touch.

“Something like that. We were roommates for a few years after he graduated college.”

I knew Steven had tenure. The small specks of grey that dance along his deep brown beard. The creases at the corners of his eyes that highlight his maturity.

I don’t usually date older men. They tend to look for more complex relationships. Women they can have more than once, trophies they can flash around to their friends. That’s not my style. I like variety—love it, actually. But a man like Steven can get more than a moment of my time if he keeps that tight grip on my skin.

“Nice to meet you.”

Doing just as Brandon did to Taylor, my limp hand lifts to his lips. Longer and wetter, the feel of his lips on my skin makes my stomach twist.