It feels like a whole new promise.

  One where we’re saying we’ll look out for each other’s hearts. We’ll protect our friendship. And we’ll cherish this brand-new love.

  Owen’s lips drive me crazy. His taste lights me up. The sweep of his mouth on mine, coupled with his greedy murmurs, sends sparks crackling down my body.

  So the kiss doesn’t stay soft and tender long.

  It turns more urgent. More hungry. Soon, we’re both moaning and gasping . . . and then, we’re laughing.

  “I’m getting so turned on kissing you,” he rasps out.

  I yank him against me so he can feel what he does to me. “Join the club, pal.”

  Owen laughs again, but doesn’t let me go. His hands slide down my arms, rubbing them, warming me up.

  “River, I thought I would say something later tonight, but I couldn’t take it any longer,” he says, and it’s like a dam is breaking, and my guy just can’t stop talking. I am good with that because I’m here to catch all the things he’s saying. To treat them as precious, since they are, and so is he. “I’ve had so many feelings for you for so long, and they’re all kind of spilling out tonight. You just . . . make me . . . I can’t even think straight . . .” He presses his forehead to mine. “I just love you. I just do.”

  And my whole world is brighter, bigger, better.

  Because of him, and this, and us.

  I kiss the corner of Owen’s smile. “Last night took me by surprise, but I also think maybe it’s been happening all along.”

  “Definitely,” he says.

  I pull back, meet his gaze, and confess. “Lately, I’ve been thinking about you in all new ways.”

  His smile grows impossibly sexier. “That so?”

  “It is so so. Not just yesterday on the road trip. But a few days ago at my bar. Honestly, every time I’ve seen you recently, my mind has started wandering.”

  “And where does it travel to?”

  “Your lips. Your face. Your body. You. Just you. All of you, Owen,” I say, serving up the full truth to this man I absolutely adore.

  He sighs softly, like I’ve made him so happy. “I want it to keep wandering, River.”

  “Oh it will, hottie. It will. My body likes wandering with you. And my heart sure does too. We both want all of you . . . but I also think I’m about to become a leading candidate for a human icicle if we stay outside any longer, so what if we return to dinner?”

  “Let’s get you inside.” He takes my hand, and we go back to the house.

  We head through the living room to the dining room. Nisha is lifting a forkful of carrots, TJ is clinking glasses with Jillian, and Reese is laughing at something Holden said.

  The noise dulls as we reach the table.

  Owen stops, and I do too. He clears his throat. “So, I wanted introduce all of you to my boyfriend. This is River.”

  I squeeze his hand, then smile at the Friendsgiving crew. “So great to meet all of my boyfriend’s friends. I’ve heard so much about everyone, and I can see why you adore Owen, because he is the best.”

  I drop a kiss to Owen’s chilly cheek.

  TJ slow claps, and in seconds, everyone joins in.

  Owen and I return to our chairs and finish dinner, and it tastes fantastic.

  Including the pecan pie I bought at a store.

  23

  Owen

  TJ waves a card in front of his face. “And now, the first question,” he says in his baritone voice to the whole crew gathered around the fireplace later that night.

  Flames from the hearth flicker across his dark eyes. “Would you rather be kinky or romantic?”

  I squeeze River’s shoulder. Something that’s really easy to do, since he’s curled up next to me in the corner of the couch and my arm is wrapped around him.

  And this is all I’ve ever craved. To be affectionate with him like this. Freely. I brush his hair from his ear, lean in close, and whisper, “Both.”

  River hums appreciatively, turns his cheek to mine, and murmurs, “You are so both, and I love it.”

  I press a kiss to his soft hair.

  “Seriously?” The one-word question flies from Nisha’s mouth, but she’s not annoyed. She sounds more amazed.

  “Seriously what?” I ask.

  From her perch in an oversized chair, she flaps her hand at the two of us. “You literally just became boyfriends and you’re all schmoopy already.”

  “Pretty sure that’s when you’re supposed to be the schmoopiest,” Reese adds in.

  Holden tugs his girlfriend closer, plants a kiss on her cheek. “We’ve been together for half a year, and we’re still schmoopy.”

  Reese lifts her wine glass. “To schmoop. Who’s with me?”

  We all lift glasses—wine, water, cocoa, tequila—and drink to schmoop.

  Laughing, TJ points at me. “Watch it or I’m going to write about you.”

  I roll my eyes, undeterred by his playful threat. “Please, I’ve listened to your books. You’re the stud of schmoop in the happily-ever-after part.”

  “Yup, in my books,” he says a little heavily, then shakes his head, like he’s shaking away whatever brief unpleasant memories paid him a visit. He flicks his thumbnail against the card. “What’s the answer?”

  The crew goes around, rattling off kinky or romantic, but when TJ gets to me I give the same answer I gave River. “Both. And I refuse to pick.”

  TJ smiles, glances at River then me. “Good for you, man. You should never have to choose between the two. Not when you have both.”

  I squeeze River’s shoulder harder, and he snuggles closer, and soon I’m going to need to be alone with him.

  But there are so many people here, and I meant what I said when I told TJ I didn’t want to have sex in a house full of so many people.

  It’s too risqué.

  Especially since we’re both crazy loud.

  And yet, I really want to have sex with my boyfriend. Badly. As I sit here on the couch, my mind wanders away to Dirty Land, picturing him and me tangled together, skin slick and hot, breath coming fast, lips everywhere.

  We could fuck, we could suck each other off, we could jerk . . .

  A sensual sigh falls unbidden from my lips.

  Shit.

  Did everyone hear that?

  As Jillian’s voice booms across the living room, River snaps his head closer to me. “Did you just moan?” he whispers in my ear.

  Busted. “Ummm.”

  “Behave, Owen,” he says in a low voice for me only. “If you do, I’ll make you feel so good in just a little while.”

  And I want River’s brand of so good.

  I want it so damn soon.

  But I can also wait a little longer.

  I’ve waited long enough for him like this, and now I have him. What’s another hour or so?

  My friends deserve a little attention.

  So I give it to them, playing the game until Tobey stands and announces that he’s got a good book to read. Nisha yawns, and Hailey says she needs to get her wife to bed.

  Like dominoes, all the couples fall.

  Holden gives the yawn performance of a lifetime, then heads down the hall with Reese.

  Jones and Jillian skedaddle.

  Steven and Brooks are off to the races.

  TJ simply shakes his head, laughing. “Told you, O.”

  “You did,” I say.

  My friend gestures in the direction of River’s room, and mine. “Also, since you don’t need separate rooms now, how about I take Owen’s room, since then I won’t have to sleep on the couch?”

  “Sounds like a most excellent plan,” River says.

  I stand from the couch, stretching. “Are you going to stay up for a while, TJ?”

  He nods, stretching out in the chair. “I have a book due to my editor. I’m feeling a little inspired by you two. You know how it goes with writers. We steal our friends’ stories.”

  I know that’s not true for his big breakout book. That wasn’t anyone else’s story. It was his, it was true, and it didn’t end well in real life.

  “And I have to say, the whole blurt-it-out-at-dinner bit? That’s a nice little twist,” TJ says.

  “You don’t even have to steal it. You can have it,” I say.

  River slides an arm around my waist but keeps his eyes fixed on TJ. “What will you call our story?”

  TJ studies River, then me, then the two of us. “Hmmm. I’m thinking . . . The Bromance Zone.”

  “Has a nice ring to it,” I say, and a minute later, I close the door to River’s room, and jerk him against me.

  Then I kiss the fuck out of my boyfriend, even with my glasses on. It’s a hard, rough kiss. One that says I can finally have him. We can have each other.

  It’s deep and passionate and will lead to one thing only.

  Orgasms. Preferably soon.

  River grabs at the neck of my shirt. “I need to get naked with you. Need to suck you off. Jerk you. Anything.”

  “You’re too loud, though,” I whisper, but I have a plan.

  “You’re too loud,” he says with a pout.

  “We both are. But there’s an excellent solution.”

  Five minutes later, we’re in the shower, making out like crazy as the water drowns out our noises. We make up for lost time. I back him up against the tiled wall as the hot water beats down on us. I can’t get enough of River.

  I am ravenous for this man.

  I’ve been granted a full license to touch him, to taste him. I’m no longer driving with a learner’s permit. He’s given me the keys to his body. I’m turning them, and we’re going for a ride.

  Our bodies press together, our lips crush each other, and our tongues explore. My hands clasp his face, then slide into his wet hair, and I can’t get close enough. Neurons fire madly as I devour his mouth while my head goes hazy.

  And I can’t stop kissing him.

  Why would I?

  He’s mine, and I want to imprint his taste on my mind. Explore all the flavors of his kiss. I want it all.

  And I have it.

  Holy hell. I have him.

  A rush of adrenaline spins in me from that awareness—this isn’t a one-time thing. We are happening, and we’ll keep happening.

  With equal parts reverence and raging desire, I drag a hand down his side, over his hip, around to his ass. Curling it over his cheek.

  I jerk him against me, our cocks lining up.

  Electricity surges in me.

  We rub together.

  Grind against each other.

  Spikes of lust hit me everywhere, and I’m comprised only of want.

  With every touch, I pulse for him. His greedy sighs and whimpers tell me he feels exactly the same.

  And it’s time.

  Time to take us over the cliff.

  As the water beats hard, I separate for a few seconds, hunting for the lube packet I brought into the shower. I find it on the soap dish, move his body a few inches away from the stream.

  His eyes are hooded, lust drunk, and so damn sexy.

  As I rip it open, River slips a hand between us, grabbing both our dicks in his palm. “Hi there,” he says in the dirtiest greeting ever.

  I groan from the wicked bliss that thrums through me. The insane pleasure from his hand knowing just what to do. “Hey to you,” I rasp out as I drizzle some lube into my palm.

  River gives us a tight squeeze, and that torches all my senses. The twin combo of his hand stroking me and our dicks rubbing together is insane. It’s a double hit of pleasure. Two for the price of one.

  And I desperately want to give in to this moment. To River taking charge. But I want to lead tonight. I want to show him how I can make him melt.

  “Let me,” I tell him, as I slide my hand between us.

  “I don’t know why you think I have to be in control all the time,” he says.

  “River, have you met you? You love control,” I say as I bat his hand away, then wrap mine around our dicks.

  As I grip us, he lets out a filthy oh fuck me. River stretches his neck, his head hitting the wall, his dirty mouth working overtime. “Ahhh, fuck control, Owen. Just fuck it. You can do anything to me,” he says, moaning as I stroke us in tandem.

  Bliss pulls at me, coiling inside, flashing hot.

  “A little harder. Little faster,” River grits out, giving me orders, and that’s my guy. He loves to talk. Loves to tell me what he wants. And I like knowing how to make him feel amazing.

  I jerk us a little rougher, curling my fist tighter, then shuddering as I stare down at the heady sight of our arousal, our joint pleasure.

  “We look so hot together,” I murmur.

  River’s eyes snap open and he gazes down our bodies at my hand shuttling our slick cocks. His breath comes in a ragged pant. “Yes. Make us come, baby. I’m so fucking close. It’s so good. You’re so good. I can’t take it,” he says, his words falling out with wild abandon, like he can’t help himself.

  I eat them all up. I savor every syllable, every moan, each cry of lust.

  Picking up speed, my hand flies over our lengths. Harsh noises fall from his lips. Carnal moans. Sounds so filthy and fantastic that pleasure jolts through my body, a warning sign that release is on its way.

  “Yes. Do that, do that,” he orders, but now his voice is growing too loud, and the change in volume both makes me laugh and turns me on.

  “Shh,” I say, then I cover his lips with mine.

  I kiss River ruthlessly, consuming his lips as I jerk us into a white-hot blur of ecstasy. He shudders, I shake, and we both come together.

  Like this.

  Like we know we have so much more than one night.

  And we do, because when we pull apart, he flashes me a woozy, dopey grin, then says, “Hi. I just got a fantastic hand job from the guy I love.”

  “Lucky you.”

  River wraps his arms around my neck. “Have I mentioned I’m in love with you?”

  “You have, but I like hearing it.”

  “Good. I’ll tell you again. I’m in love with you.”

  Funny, how I was hunting for the perfect moment to tell him, and then I blurted it out at what seemed the worst possible time.

  But now that I’m here, on this side of us, the timing was perfect after all.

  24

  River

  The engine rumbles off.

  “All right, gentlemen. Can you just say it now? Just say it once?” Tobey presses his hands together in prayer.

  “You were right,” I tell the badass vet.

  “And you will always be our Navy Seal,” Owen seconds.

  “Thank you,” he says, like we’ve given him his greatest wish.

  Owen and I grab our bags, hop out, and say goodbye to the magic dog-van dude.

  Then, we toss our things in my car, and head into the cabin. As soon as the door swings open, I set my hand on my heart. “I want to bronze this cabin.”

  Owen barks out a laugh. “Man, you are weird sometimes.”

  I grab his hand, tug him backward to me. “Shut up. I’m romantic.”

  “You think bronzing a cabin is romantic? No, that’s weird. Even you can’t spin that one.”

  I turn him around. “I can’t help it if I’m more romantic than you.”

  Owen rolls his eyes.

  “I just have a special place in my heart for our Fun Cabin. Wait. Better yet, let’s call it The Sex Cabin.”

  “And really, what else should a cabin do but give its services to the cause of good sex?” Owen asks.

  “Hottie,” I say, admonishing him, “it was great sex.”

  “I know. Just wanted to see if you were paying attention.”

  “I am.” I hum, tapping my chin as I survey the home where I experienced not only that great sex, but also the fantastic realization that I’d fallen in love with this amazing man. “Since we had agreed not to talk about what was happening at first, what if we call this Fight Club Sex Cabin?”

  Owen grins. “Yes, but we’re not bronzing it. We want to use it again. Ergo, we need to be good guests at Chateau Fight Club Sex Cabin.”

  And good guests we are for the next hour as we run the laundry, wash the towels and sheets, then make the bed in the guest room.

  We check on the hot tub, making sure it’s covered.

  Leave the cupboards open, and the faucets on a drip.

  Then set a fresh bottle of champagne on the counter with a card we grabbed at the store.

  Dear Cyndi and Tyler,

  * * *

  Your cabin is lovely! Thank you so much for letting us stay here that snowy night! We were so lucky to have this wonderful place to escape to. We left a few gifts for you to say thanks!

  * * *

  Love,

  River and Owen

  “There,” I say, setting the card on the counter. “We are the best guests ever.”

  Owen surveys the place, nodding as he checks it out. “Maybe someday we’ll come back.”

  I drape an arm around his shoulder. “Oh, I would love to come again.”

  He laughs. “Speaking of, let’s hit the road. The sooner we’re back in San Francisco, the sooner we can do just that.”

  We get in my car, and I plug my sister’s address into Waze. The snow has melted, the roads are clear, and I’m happy to be going home like this.

  But there is one little thing we’re going to need to sort out.

  As we leave Markleeville, I throw down the first important debate for our return road trip. “All right, hottie. We need a new rule.”

  “To supersede the Harry and Rod rule?” Owen asks as I merge onto the highway taking us south. “Because sex is a humongous gamble a couple must decide to take.”

  “Yes. We gambled and it’s worth it, so we are throwing it out,” I say, miming tossing something out the window. “Writing a new one.”