Gah, my mouth is so dry. I try to ignore it and snuggle further into my pillow and my foot hits something. I stop myself before I jerk up in the bed. I’m in Ashe’s bed. Damn it, the last thing I remember…looking down, I’m still dressed. I touch my fingers to my lips. He kissed me. Did I kiss him back? God, I don’t remember.

I quietly scoot out of the bed and tiptop through the dark room to the living room, finding my sandals and purse. The door creaks as I slowly open it. I look back but don’t hear any movement from him. I shut the door and let my body slide to the ground. What the hell have I done? I opened up my heart to him, again. How could I be so stupid? I think to myself. Slipping on my sandals and grabbing my phone, I call for a cab to take me home.

Tears threaten to fall the whole short ride back. I remember our conversation clearly. I was better off not knowing he didn’t cheat on me. I can’t do this with him again, but damn it if I don’t still want him just as badly.

Instead of going to my apartment, I find myself standing in front of Wren’s door. I knock quietly, then change my mind. Why do I run to him every time something happens with Ashe? As I’m about to walk away, I hear his door open.

“Are you okay?” His hair is floppy and he’s shirtless.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have come over, it’s too early.” I go to walk away and he grabs my elbow.

“You came over for a reason. Now come inside, I’ll make us some coffee.”

I plop down on the couch and sit quietly as he makes coffee. Pouring two mugs he joins me on the couch. “Why are you up so early?” he asks.

“I went over to Ashe’s last night and we talked.”

He cuts his eyes at me. “Is that all that happened?” I see jealously creep into his facial expression.

“We kissed and I ended up passing out. I was so tired to begin with, then we ate and I remember mixing several drinks.”

“And, let me guess: Ashe was a complete gentleman and carried you to bed and he slept on the couch,” he chuckles.

I glare at him. “You know as well as I do he would never take advantage of me. I woke up in his bed with him beside me and I still had all my clothes on.”

He props his feet up on the coffee table. “So what did you talk about?”

“I told him about the girl I walked in on him with years ago.” I let out a long sigh. “He said he never went through with it.”

“You believe him?”

“One thing Ashe is not, is a liar.”

“I know.” He slides to the edge of the couch, placing his mug on the table. “Did you tell him what happened between us?”

“No. I don’t ever want him to find out. He and I weren’t together, but he’d be hurt.” He slouches back. His lips are pursed together, but he doesn’t say anything. I reach over and touch his hand. “You and I have worked through this, please don’t be hurt.”

“I love Ashe, too, but I don’t understand why you have never been able to get over him.” He stands and starts pacing. “Why can’t I be enough for you?”

“I thought you understood that you and I will never be a couple.” I stand too.

He stops in his tracks to face me. “I love you and you know it. You’re my best friend and I don’t want to lose you, ever. I wish you would find someone else. Anyone but Ashe. Not because I don’t like him. He’s one of the best people I know, I just don’t like him for you.”

I sit back down on the couch. “I know, I know, you’re right. Why does he have to be such a good damn guy? I wish he would be an asshole. That would make it a lot easier. I don’t want to ruin things. I love the business that the three of us have created. It’s exhausting and exhilarating at the same time.”

He sits beside me and holds my hand. “You and I talked about this at length before we went into business with Ashe. You have to find a way to distance yourself from him other than at work. I know we all work very closely together, but outside of work, you need to find a balance without him. We can do meetings together and go to social events that we need to be part of, but other than that, you can’t be going home with him and expecting him not to want to be with you.”

“I don’t know if I’m strong enough to stay away from him.”

“You can do anything you put your mind to,” he laughs.

“It’s not my mind I’m worried about. What would be so wrong with giving him and me a try again?” I whisper the last part.

“Do you really need me to answer that for you?” he glares at me.

“He’s not the same man. He seems to have it all under control now.”

“Baby, that is not something I can answer for you. All I know is that you barely picked up the pieces last time. I had to fight you to stay in med school. You were ready to give up on your dreams to not be near him. Do you remember?” He places his arm around my shoulders.

“I do. I had my bags all packed and you stopped me. You’ve always been there for me.” I lay my head on his shoulder.

“And I always will, no matter what.” He kisses the top of my head and I close my eyes.

---

“I love you, Aedon.” His sweet lips are pressed against mine. I feel his cock harden against my hip. It’s the first time he said those words to me and I can feel it in his kiss, devouring the taste of me.

“I love you, too. Can we hurry up and get back so you can fuck me?” He lets go of me but pulls me close into his side and our pace picks up. A few more blocks and we’ll be home. I swear every time we make love, it gets better and better. We can’t keep our hands off each other.

He pulls the keys out of his pocket and all but shoves me through the door. “Take off your clothes,” he demands.

I don’t hesitate, clothes start flying in the air until I’m standing in front of him stark naked. The look in his eyes says he appreciates my entire body. He walks up to me and bites my ear. “Bend over the ottoman,” he says harshly.

“I…”

“I didn’t ask what you wanted,” he bites at my lip. “I’ll make sure your needs are met.”

When I don’t move fast enough for him, he swats me on the ass and I let out a yelp. “Now,” he demands.

I get on my knees and bend over like he’s ordered. My hands are hugging either side of the ottoman near the legs. He walks over and pushes my legs apart with his knees. The next thing I hear is his zipper being undone. “Don’t let go. Keep your hands right where they are. If you move an inch, I’ll stop. Do you understand me, Aedon?”

“Yes.”

His hand lands on my bare ass. “Yes, what?”

“Yes, sir.” I’ve never been more turned on.

---

Bam, bam, bam! The knock at the door startles me. Wren is running his hand down his face and I’m blinking trying to shake off my dream. I know who is knocking and so does Wren. He stands and looks at me liking he’s asking a question.

“You’re right. I need to distance myself from him.” That is going to be very hard when I even dream about him.