Private Affairs Read Free

think it was just a move to touch me again. I blame the heat rising in my cheeks on the alcohol, and not Wes’s skin on mine.
    Wes smiled as I continued allowing contact. “I don’t remember you being a drinker.”
    “I’m not. This is my last one, and then we’re going.”
    I cringed at the shot; I wasn’t used to drinking liquor straight. On the rare occasion I did drink, it was usually a wine cooler.
    “So, did you ever manage to start the daycare center?”
    I didn’t want to talk to him anymore, but I felt compelled to answer that question. “I did. We’re trying to get federal funding now. So far, it’s all been small grants and donations.”
    “I’m sure you’ll do even more amazing things when you get the extra money. Say, I’m going to a fundraiser in a few weeks; you should come. There are always people with too much money willing to cut checks for charity.”
    His lips curled into a small smile as his eyes drifted away. The daycare center was always my plan. And he was supposed to be right there with me. But that didn’t happen. I bit back a stinging tear.
    “Sure; I’ll go.” I didn’t necessarily want to make plans with him, but I could never turn down help for the center. My pride could be put to the side if it meant giving us some much-needed money.
    “Great; I’ll get your contact information before we leave to give you the details.”
    The men stiffly chatted over two rounds of shots as I stood there awkwardly, knocking back a couple on my own. I didn’t want to cause a scene at the wedding, but Kevin was taking things to an entirely new level with his politeness.
    Kevin set the glass down before saying the worst thing imaginable:
    “I’m going to the bathroom and then we can go mingle.”
    No! Don’t leave us together!
    And left we were. Alone.
    My wide eyes gave away my thoughts.
    He spoke as soon as Kevin was out of sight. “How have you been? Really?”
    His question should’ve annoyed me. I should’ve told him to fuck off. Instead, his low voice purred in the air surrounding my ears. I quickly glanced in his eyes, and regretted it just as quickly. I looked away, but my eyes were drawn to his pillowy lips, which he licked as he not-so-subtly inspected my chest. I squeezed my legs together, as if that would stop the thumping down below.
    “I’m going to go wait for Kevin.”
    I turned to leave, but he jumped in front of me, causing me to bump into his chest.
    “Talk to me,” he whispered, his warm breath echoing down my cleavage.
    Backing away, I rubbed away the goose bumps that formed.
    “I don’t want to do this, Wes. I-I have a… girlfriend.”
    His brows shot up in amusement. I could tell he didn’t believe me, but it was worth a shot if it meant he would leave me alone.
    “Batting for the other team now, huh?”
    I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “Mmm hmm.”
    His lips were pursed together as he tried to keep a straight face. “How long has this been going on?”
    I gulped loudly. “About a year.”
    He took a step closer, too close. “Well… have you been with a man recently? I mean, how do you know for sure you’re a lesbian?”
    The air between us heated up, the scent of his cologne swirling around us. Familiar, but still exciting. His wide chest heaved slowly under his shirt. Too slowly, as if he were trying to control himself.
    I should have been insulted, should have rolled my eyes at his brashness. He was speaking to me as if nothing was wrong, when quite the opposite was true. Even knowing that, I still savored his presence.
    Where the hell was Kevin? Since Wes blocked me from leaving, I snatched the bottle from his hand and drank from it as my body continued to flush under his overbearing charisma. Not a good idea, as my head was already swimming, but I needed a distraction.
    “Ready?”
    Kevin’s voice startled me, but Wes barely acknowledged it. I slid out of my ex’s alluring orbit and into the arms of my best friend, pulling him towards