Free Three to Tango by Chloe Cole, L. C. Chase Page B

her lower lip. Jace dropped his leg back
    to the floor and turned to fully face her, hating to think that she might feel unsure
    around him. That kiss, which neither of them should still be thinking about, wasn"t
    meant to be any more than it was. A dare.
    So why didn"t that explanation sit well with him?
    Mel released her lip, rolled her shoulders back, hitched her chin up, and
    walked toward him looking confident and determined.
    She stopped mere inches from him, her clear blue eyes flashing. She reached a
    hand up to the back of his neck, pulled his head to hers, and kissed him. There was
    nothing tentative about it. She slanted her lips over his, soft and warm and hungry,
    and when his own lips parted in shock, she dived in, her tongue luring his into an
    erotic dance, telling him that yes, she remembered their kiss, and it wasn"t just a
    dare. And damn if he didn"t feel a rush of joy in his chest at the thought. Then she
    broke it off abruptly and stood back with her trademark “watch out, world—Hellody
    Melody"s in the house” smile.
    “Later, twinkle toes,” she chirped, as if she hadn"t just kissed him like the
    world was about to end. “You"ve got thirty hours alone with Alec. Make the most of
    it.”
    She turned on her heel and, without a look back, left him standing in the
    middle of his studio, dumbfounded, lightheaded, and…stiff.
    Not only had Mellz just given him a wide-open court to seduce Alec, she"d
    stirred a desire in him he"d never before experienced. A desire he suddenly wanted
    to fully explore.
    He shook his head, turned back to the barré, and met his own confused eyes in
    the mirrored wall. “Some gay man you are,” he told his reflection. “Kissing
    girls…and liking it. The gay police are going to revoke your membership.”

    Three to Tango
    63

    Knowing his reflection wouldn"t ease his confusion, Jace concentrated on
    dancing, letting movement and music settle his thoughts and clear his mind. He
    had one chance to seduce Alec, and he needed to make the most of it. He would
    think about the Melody situation tomorrow.

    Alec stepped through the front door, and his first thought was that he"d
    somehow walked into the wrong house. Other than a low light in the kitchen, the
    only illumination came from candles on the coffee table. Instrumental music he
    didn"t recognize played quietly, and mouthwatering smells had his stomach singing
    along.
    Even if he and Mel hadn"t already agreed to his seducing Jace, he would have
    succumbed to his roommate"s ploy like a bee to honey. Alec couldn"t help the low
    chuckle that escaped his mouth. Jace would be shocked to know he didn"t have to go
    to all the trouble.
    Deciding to have a little fun with the situation, Alec turned his smile upside
    down and called out Jace"s name.
    Jace sauntered into the living room and blasted him with a laser-beam grin.
    Alec"s brain short-circuited when the blood that kept it functioning fled south.
    Jace"s dark blond hair was stylishly spiked, and a diamond stud in each
    earlobe flashed in the light. He wore a long-sleeved, dark peach V-neck shirt that
    looked painted on his body and made his vivid blue eyes pop. Stonewashed jeans
    with silver and red piping on the pockets hugged his long, lean dancer"s legs. They
    were strategically threadbare at his thighs and crotch, which made Alec"s groin
    tighten. He was barefoot with a silver ring on the index toe of his left foot, and
    damn if that wasn"t the sexiest thing Alec had ever laid eyes on.
    The man looked like a fucking rock star.
    Alec pulled in a deep breath, holding it for a three-count before releasing. Let
    the games begin.

    64
    Chloe Cole & L. C. Chase

    “Damn, Jace, I"m sorry. I didn"t know you had a date tonight. I"ll just shower
    quick and take off.”
    “What? No, wait. This—”
    “Smells amazing in here,” Alec cut him off. “I wonder if I should be jealous.” He
    flashed a confused-looking Jace one of his stun-them-with-dimples smiles and
    winked,