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“Jacob.” Cassidy raised both her hands to his stubbled cheeks and ran her thumbs along the smooth skin on his cheekbones. “You’ve already shown me that we fit together. I went from hating you to jumping you in a split-second.” He licked his lips at the delicious memory and smiled that knowing sexy grin, and Cassidy went up on tiptoe to brush a kiss against his lips. Before it could get heated, before she could lose herself in him, she forced herself back. “Our texts and conversations have given me a glimpse into the person you really are, and I like you. Last night walking to the restaurant I realized something. I’ve been keeping you at arm’s length, telling myself that I can’t trust you, but when you motioned for me to walk into that dark alley, I didn’t hesitate. I knew you wouldn’t take me somewhere dangerous—my head has finally caught up.”
He turned and pushed her gently against the windowpane, holding her in place with his hips. The cool surface against her back kept her grounded when his heat made her want to combust. Cassie splayed her hands on the glass, bracing herself when her legs turned to jelly. Jacob tilted her chin up with one hand and ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek to her throat. His touch was a whisper-soft caress, but the fire in his eyes and the press of his bulge against her stomach let Cassidy know exactly what her words had done to him. With his thumb on her pulse point and the other tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, he kissed her. Slow and languid, he made love to her mouth. It had been like that between them the night before too. Passion and fire burning twice as bright as anything Cassidy had ever experienced.
She slipped her hand up the front of his untucked tee and ran her fingertips over his abs, her nails lightly scratching him. He sucked in a breath and pressed their foreheads together. “I like you too,” he whispered, pulling back just enough that Cassidy knew he understood not to overwhelm her.
She wasn’t ready to admit it yet, but she was falling for Jacob. He’d already crashed through those walls she’d erected around herself. With every press of his lips, every piece of information he gave her about where he’d come from, and the kind of man he strived to be, Cassidy knew he’d soon unlock the vault she’d placed her heart in. He was showing her with every sweet gesture that she could have it all—the career she dreamed of and the great love story in the way she imagined it.
Right on cue, Jacob’s stomach rumbled. “We need to get some food in you.” Cassidy patted the firm muscle under her fingertips and grasped his hand. “Let’s go see if he’s in.”
Before she could take a step, he tugged her hand, and with a vulnerability that Cassidy had never seen on him before, he asked, “What if he says no?” He looked down and shrugged his shoulders, but Cassidy could see right through the faux casual gesture. “I mean, that’s the most likely scenario. He’s probably straight, so maybe we should leave me out of the equation. It’ll give you a better chance to date him separately.”
“No.” Cassidy shook her head. “You like him, Jacob. I don’t want to start something with him unless you can be involved too, because your feelings matter just as much as mine. I’m not going to date someone that you’re attracted to and leave you out.”
He squeezed her hand and gave her a small smile. “Okay, let’s get some coffee then.” Jacob pulled open the door and motioned for her to go first. His hand on the small of her back made her smile up at him, and she leaned in, giving him a half hug.
Jacob stilled, and Cassidy flicked her gaze to the counter. Phoenix stood there glaring at them, his jaw clenched and his fingers squeezing the marker he was holding. His hazel eyes flashed, and he pursed his lips together, his gaze bouncing between them. Cassidy licked her lips, the nerves fluttering around her belly as she took a deep breath and stepped forward. “Hey, you,” she murmured, giving him a tentative smile. “This is Jacob.”
“Jacob doesn’t drink espressos.” Phoenix’s voice was cold, totally different to the sexy rasp he normally greeted her with. “Or maybe he does, and the ridiculous drink he’s been ordering is just to screw with us. Which one is it?”
“No, it’s—” she responded, but Jacob’s hand on her arm silenced her.
“It’s okay,” Jacob murmured. He took a deep breath and rested his hand on his leg. Cassidy had seen the move so many times, but he stopped himself, instead flexing his fingers. “I…” He blew out the rest of his breath and laughed before shaking his head.
Jacob was nervous, but Phoenix’s reaction told her he didn’t know that. He moved out from behind the counter and stood almost chest to chest with Jacob. Half a head taller, Phoenix forced him to look up when he growled, “You should leave and not come back—”
“Phoenix,” an older woman snapped. “What’s going on?”
“This couple was just leaving.” He stepped behind the counter again and wiped the already clean surface with far too much force.
“Take a ten-minute break.” He paused midswipe, clenched his jaw and balled up the cloth, shoving it with too much force back under the counter. He stalked through the swing doors into the kitchen before a loud bang sounded. The woman who was clearly Phoenix’s boss turned to Jacob and explained, “I apologize for my employee’s behaviour. I hope you don’t see it as a reflection on Grounds. Can I offer you a coffee on the house?”
Jacob smiled one of those genuine, eye-crinkling smiles. “It’s completely okay, but we might come back another time instead. Your espresso is literally a lifesaver.”
She laughed and handed him a gift card for free coffees. “Glad to hear our roast is helping you fight the good fight.”
He pulled open the door and motioned Cassidy through. But she was confused. Bewildered that he was prepared to give up so easily. She didn’t think he was that kind of person; he certainly hadn’t been with her. “This way.” He pointed to a laneway in the opposite direction from where they’d come. Dumpsters lined one side, and Cassidy held her breath as she hurried past them. “Grounds backs onto this laneway, and I heard a second door slam when Phoenix walked into the kitchen. I don’t want to stalk him or anything, but maybe he’ll give me a chance to explain if he’s still out here.”
They rounded the corner only to see Phoenix pacing, both hands in his hair as he looked up at the grey sky. He groaned and ran his hands over his face before shaking his head. “What an arse,” he muttered before turning on his heel and pacing toward them. He froze, glaring at Cassidy and then Jacob. “What part of you need to leave did you not understand?”
Jacob rubbed his mouth, and Cassidy squeezed his hand, trying to impart all the encouragement she could. “I owe you an apology,” Jacob said quietly. “I wasn’t trying to be an arse, but I know that I came across as one. Cassie will tell you I do that quite a bit.”
“I don’t care what stupid drink you get us to make—you’re paying for the damn thing, but if you think it’s funny to screw around with the staff so you can big-note yourself? That’s a dick move.”
“That’s not what I was trying to do.” Jacob gave him a small smile, one that Cassidy recognized as feigning confidence, and slipped his hands into his pockets before nodding at the chairs pulled under a small awning. “Can we sit for a minute?” Phoenix huffed and rolled his eyes before motioning to the closest one. The other man stayed standing, using the chair sitting kitty-corner to Jacob as a shield between them. Jacob sat and wiped his hands down his pants. “I’m just going to put it all out there, so you understand, but it’s not necessary to throw a punch, okay?”
“Why would I hit you?”
“Because straight boys have a tendency to talk with their fists first.” Jacob clasped his hands between his knees and sat quietly for a moment staring at them while Phoenix processed his words. But while Jacob sat as still as a statue, Phoenix reacted in the opposite way, letting his eyes roam over Jacob. Cassidy saw heat there. Want and desire coalesced until Phoenix moved around the barrier he’d placed between them. Jacob flinched as Phoenix slowly lowered himself into the chair, and Cassidy rushed to Jacob’s side. That need to step in and make sure he was okay was a strange compulsion. She’d never wanted to do it before, but there was no way she could stop herself now. Cassidy curled her hand around his clasped ones and rubbed his back, letting him know that she was there.
“I wouldn’t hit you,” Phoenix murmured, mirroring Jacob’s pose. “It sucks that we have to hide just to stay safe.” He paused and added, “I came out to the wrong people a few years ago. But I learned my lesson.”
“What happened?” Cassidy asked, a weight settling in her stomach like an anvil. She hated that he was so obviously hurting.
“The usual. Toxic masculinity at its finest.” Phoenix shook his head and Jacob tensed, like he was expecting the worst. His voice was flat when he continued, and the muted version of the usually vivacious man tore at her. “I was in my final year at school and the principal was new. He didn’t know one of the kids was non-binary. They wore the boys’ uniform, because that’s what they identified as most of the time, but they wanted to wear a dress to the formal. The principal lost his shit when he overheard what was happening and said boys had to wear suits and the girls a dress. We protested, you know… a whole group of us arrived in dresses. I thought I was safe with them.” He huffed out a derisive laugh and his lips curled in disgust. Clasping his hands together and resting his elbows on his knees, Phoenix curled into himself. Cassidy wanted to reach for him, to protect him from the memory in the same way she’d leaped to Jacob’s side, but she didn’t know if she had the right to.
“We weren’t allowed into the formal, so we went and hung out at the sports fields instead. I’d been crushing on my mate for months, and when he started complaining he wouldn’t get laid after the dance anymore, I came out to him as bi. I offered to blow him.” Phoenix scrubbed his hands down his face and Jacob reached for his knee, clasping it. Their gazes locked and Jake nodded, a silent conversation passing between them. An understanding perhaps? A connection? Cassidy didn’t know, but this moment was between the two men she increasingly wanted to share.
“How bad was it?” Jacob asked, his voice low.
