Free Kelly's Quest (NYC LOVE Book 2) by Jennifer Ann

bar down the block from the restaurant that I feel tingly and loose-lipped by the time we agree to head back for the night.
    As we near the brownstone, Theo slows his pace at my side, letting Adam and Jewels—who have their arms wrapped around each other—get a decent lead on us.
    “Wanna come over to my place for a drink or two?” Theo asks in a low voice.
    I reach out to touch his toned arm, because apparently I can’t keep my hands off his marvelous body. “And how’s that going to work with our agreement to take things slow, exactly?”
    “I can be a gentleman,” he says with a rather devilish smirk.
    I brush my fingertip across his forearm. “Maybe so, but I don’t know that I trust myself around you.”
    “Then don’t,” he says, taking my arm to stop me in the middle of the sidewalk. “This can be about more than sex. If you let me kiss you, maybe we’d both make it through a few dates before we decide to cave in and take things further.”
    I wag my finger at him, grinning. “Don’t you know kissing’s a gateway drug?”
    “I have a high tolerance,” he says, leaning in closer. “I once had to tread water in the ocean for two hours straight. It takes a lot to break me.”
    I shove him lightly, pretending to be offended. “Agh, do you have to make yourself even hotter? Seriously, Theo, let’s just stop this now.” My head spins from all the drinks I had, and I can’t help but feel incredibly guilty for even considering kissing Theo when I almost took things too far with Erik earlier. “I don’t want our friendship to be tainted by our alcohol-fueled hormones.”
    “Okay, fair enough.” He backs away, hands held up at his sides. “But if I promise to keep my hands in my pockets, will you at least let me kiss your cheek before we say goodnight?”
    It’s actually kind of sweet how he doesn’t want to part without having kissed me in some way. “Would you settle for a hug?”
    With an ear-splitting grin, he leans into gather me in his arms, bringing me close with his arm hooked around my neck. I feel like a little girl with my face pressed to his chest. I feel his nose skim against the top of my head.
    “Are you sniffing my hair?”
    He pulls away, slowly letting go. “Can’t help myself. You smell like sunscreen. It’s driving me wild.”
    “It’s coca butter scented shampoo.”
    “I like it.” His eyes light up, and he reaches down for my hand, bringing it to his lips for a soft kiss. “Goodnight, Cavenaugh. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.”
    I agreed to let him take me to see Chloe’s band, figuring it would be safe to double with Adam and Jewels again. But as he strolls away, whistling, I can’t decide if canceling would’ve been a better idea. My head’s such a mess. Is there something morally wrong with simply being attracted to two guys at once?
    I find Jewels by herself in the kitchen, drinking from a bottled water. “Adam said to tell you goodnight. He’s wiped.”
    “I never got a chance to ask him how it went. Are they going to install the pump thingie?”
    “Yeah, it’s all good. He’s set up for the procedure next week. You and Theo have a good time?”
    I grin happily with the memory of his hug. “Yeah, we did.”
    She offers me the bottle with her eyebrows raised. “You want to hang out in the backyard and chat, or are you ready for bed too?”
    I take a swig of the water before handing it back, and hook my arm through hers. “I’m up for a girl session. We haven’t had much time alone since I got here.”
    She grabs a bottle of wine from the fridge before we head out.
    The night has taken on a significantly colder feel, although there’s still a heavy humidity that settles around us like a dense fog. Jewels flicks the switch to bring the twinkle lights to life beneath the canopy. The beautiful sight of the white lights shining against the dark night brings on the feel of a mix between a fairytale and a stunning wedding