Free Taming Casanova by MJ Carnal

hands and stared into her eyes.  “I want us.  I want more of what we just did in there.  I want to fight with you.  Only you.”
    The phrase a deer caught in the headlights had never been more appropriate.  Kevin replayed the night in his mind.  How had she not known this wasn’t a casual thing for him?  How was it possible she couldn’t feel what he felt?  For months he had imagined a night like this.  She had tiptoed into his dreams and crashed into his heart.  Every waking thought was of her.  The chemistry was undeniable.  Yet here she stood, wide eyed and tortured, staring at him like she hadn’t a clue he felt that way.
    “Andi?”
    “I need to think.”  She pushed past him. 
    “Are you fucking kidding me?”  He hadn’t meant to sound so harsh.  But as the bedroom door slammed behind her, the answer was loud and clear.

    “I’m sorry about earlier.  It wasn’t your fault.”  Steve sat on the couch next to Mark staring at his hands. 
    Mark cringed.  It was one night so long ago. He had been back in town for less than twelve hours when he had run into Amber at a nightclub.  Horny and stupid.  Those had been his excuses.  The next day, when he learned she was engaged to one of his closest friends, he vowed to lock the secret away and never tell a soul.  Amber had other plans and their tryst had spread like wildfire.  Somehow Steve had remained clueless.  Two years later, he sat in the hot seat regretting every second of one of the biggest mistakes of his life.  “You understand that I didn’t know you were together, don’t you?” 
    Steve leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.  His hands clenched together and he sighed.  “I’ ve spent years of my life with this woman.  I had heard rumors but I didn’t believe it.  I’m not sure I even do now.”
    Mark put his hand on his shoulder.  “ I want to make sure you know that we will all support you.  If you decide to stay with her and get married, we will stand by your side.  If you decide she’s not worth the heartache, we’ll help you pack.  Layla’s room is still available if you need somewhere to go.”
    “We’ve got extra space too.  Whatever you need, brother.”  Ryan gave him a half smile.
    Steve ran his hands through his hair.  “I don’t know what to do.  I want to hate her.  I want to pack my shit and move on.  It just doesn’t feel real.  We had some good times, man.  I’ve invested a lot in us.”  Tears pooled in his eyes as he looked back and forth between Mark and Ryan.  “Why didn’t you just tell me?”
    “I didn’t know how.  And then I met Sophie and I didn’t want anything to ruin that.  I was selfish.  We honestly didn’t want to hurt you, man.  I thought maybe it was just a one time thing.  I promise you that I didn’t know you were with her.”  Mark tried his best to reassure him.
    “Did anyone else sleep with her?  Tell me the truth.  You owe me that much.”
    Ryan’s stomach dropped.  Seeing one of his best friends in pain was almost more than he could handle.  Since his leukemia diagnosis, he had learned how precious every moment with friends was.  And hurting one of them was hard to bear.  “I know that she came on to Merck a few times.  I don’t think he thought much of it.  Probably figured that’s just how she is.  Everyone flirts with his dumb ass.  He wouldn’t know any differently.  He didn’t sleep with her.  I would bet my life on it.”
    Kevin stepped into the room looking for Andi.  When he didn’t see her, he took a seat across from the men and pulled out his phone.  He would give her a day.  That is all his heart could handle.  After that, she was his. 
    “Merck?”  Steve cleared his throat.
    Kevin looked up and shrugged.  “Yo.”
    “I asked if you ever slept with Amber.”  Steve was to the point.  No use beating around the bush anymore.
    “Your Amber?”  Kevin shook his head.  “No, man.  She’s