billion book
18
His brow furrowed. “My Macon?”
Hannah laughed. “You say that like the two of you are together-which is fine, but I know that’s not the case. Yes, brother, your Macon.”
He set his phone down, the screen facing the table, and took a long drink. “Oaklyn wouldn’t like him.”
“How do you know that?” Hannah asked.
I used that moment to look at my phone.
CAMDEN
Don’t question if I’m giving, Oaklyn. I assure you, you’ll never leave my presence unsatisfied.
ME
But if I’m going to use my own fingers, I might as well do that at home.
“It’s just a hunch I have.” Camden shrugged.
“Hold on a sec.” I returned my phone to the top of my back pocket. “Macon, Macon … I know him. He was at your apartment the night of your housewarming party, right?” I said to Camden.
Camden nodded, but his eyes had changed since the mention of his best friend’s name.
They’d darkened.
Almost like he was giving me a warning.
And then he lifted his phone and read my text, his thumbs hitting the screen to type his reply.
“Did you find him cute?” Hannah asked me.
I smiled at Hannah. “Cute? More like incredibly handsome. He was tall with dark hair and these striking green eyes, if I remember correctly.”
I knew I couldn’t make Camden jealous; he wasn’t into me at all-at least not in the way where he’d care if I found another guy attractive. Plus, I wasn’t trying to make him jealous. I was just speaking the obvious.
Macon Spade was a really good-looking man.
“He fits your physical criteria-that’s for damn sure,” Hannah said.
“I think when we met, he was telling me about some exotic vacation he’d just gone on,” I told her. “A guy who enjoys traveling-that’s definitely a bonus.”
“His job is another bonus. He’s one of the top executives at Spade Hotels.” Hannah put her arm around my shoulders, turned her face in the same direction as mine so we were both looking out toward the crowded bar, and pressed our cheeks together. “Can you imagine the perks? Let’s envision them, shall we? Dreamy, five-star hotels all over the world. The best room service ever. Fuzzy slippers. Spa days.”
“Sign. Me. Up.” I giggled.
“You two are ridiculous,” Camden said. “You don’t need an executive at a hotel brand to provide those perks. You just need to date someone who can afford to take you on that kind of trip. Like Declan.”
“And Macon,” Hannah offered.
She released my arm, and I carefully snuck into my pocket and checked out his text.
CAMDEN
That was a lesson for me. I made that clear.
ME
When I could have simply just told you what I liked-something I made clear.
“Excuse me,” I quickly butted in. “I actually don’t need a man to provide those perks. I can certainly afford to take myself on one of those trips.”
Hannah shook my shoulder. “Heck yeah, you can, girl. You’re a badass-there’s no doubt about that. But still, wouldn’t it be fun if you had someone delicious lying in bed next to you?”
She reached across me and pinched her brother’s arm even though Camden was back on his phone, probably replying to me. “Let’s set them up anyway. It’ll be a great match. They’re both dedicated to their jobs. They like to travel. They’re both beautiful. It’ll be a home run.”
There was no way I could complete these sexual lessons with Camden and then go out on a date with his best friend. I just wouldn’t feel right about it. And ending things with Camden wasn’t an option.
He was the man I wanted to give my virginity to.
There were zero doubts in my mind about that.
But that meant I had to get Hannah off this track, and to do that, I had to bring up the obvious.
Before I did that, I checked my phone.
CAMDEN
What makes you think that the lesson was only about learning what you liked? How do you know it wasn’t for another reason? Something I didn’t tell you?
ME
So, tell me.
I faced my bestie and said, “Han, we have a bit of a problem that I think you’re forgetting.”
“Problem?” she mirrored. “Huh?”
I kept my phone in my lap, holding it close to read the screen.
CAMDEN
What’s far more important is you telling me what your next three fantasies are, so we can get started on this little proposition of yours.
“Must I really say it?” I pleaded with her.
“Hmm,” Hannah groaned. “Yes. That.”
“What’s that?” Camden smirked.
Dick.
He knew exactly what that was.
And he loved putting me in the position where I had to talk about it.
But there was no reason why I should be ashamed of my situation, so I turned to him and immediately realized the confession wasn’t coming out as easy the second time around. Maybe that was because Hannah was here, watching, listening, analyzing.
“I don’t have a lot of experience with men,” I voiced, hoping that would satisfy him.
“What do you mean, Oaklyn?”
I should have known he would keep pushing until I said the word.
I took a deep breath, feeling the sudden sweatiness on my palms. “I just don’t have a lot of experience with men-that’s all.”
“Does that mean you’ve only been with a couple of dudes? One? Or …”
Why is he doing this to me?
What point is he trying to make?
“Oaklyn, just tell him,” Hannah said.
I’d avoided looking at her during this entire conversation, but I stole a quick peek. “He’s your brother.”
“But he won’t care, and he certainly won’t judge you for it,” she replied.
If Hannah only knew what her brother had witnessed on the couch at his condo …
Why did I put myself in this situation?
“Come on, Oaklyn. What do you mean?” Camden urged.
“Oh my God,” I groaned. My desire to just get this over with was at its peak. “I haven’t had sex with anyone. Ever. I’m a virgin.” I looked around the table. “Now, is everyone happy?”