Free Blue Blood's Trifecta by Cheyenne Meadows Page B

better than he knew himself. Besides, maybe she could pinpoint the problem in order for him to reason himself through this mess then move forward.
    "I kissed a man."
    She did a double take, eyes widening as she stared at him. "A man?"
    "Yeah." He nodded.
    "Whoa. How did that happen?"
    Cradling his face in his hands, he sucked in a deep breath. "I don't know. One minute we were arguing over a woman, the next, we were tongue wrestling."
    "Well, did you like it?"
    He considered her question for a long moment, scrubbed his face, and answered truthfully, "Yeah."
    "Did he kiss you back?"
    "God, yes." Boy howdy did he return the kiss. As if the universe stopped revolving while the two of them battled it out with their lips.
    "Wow." Her head tilted this way and that. "Do you think you're gay?"
    "No." He shook his head. "I still want women, am attracted to them. Hell, Tempest and I nearly set the sheets on fire." Ryan ran one hand through his short blond hair in agitation. "I don't think of kissing other men. It just sort of happened. Why him? Why now?"
    She tapped her lips with a well-manicured finger. "So maybe this guy is special and the exception to your straightness?"
    "Shit if I know." He met her gaze stoically. "All I know is that it can't happen again."
    Her brows furrowed as her bright blue eyes expressed concern and curiosity. "Why not?"
    "He's a man, damn it."
    "I see. I never thought you were a bigot."
    Ryan sucked in a breath, struggled with immediate anger, finally succeeding in gaining control over the volatile emotion. "I'm not," he said between clenched teeth.
    "Then what's the problem?"
    "What's the problem? Are you listening to yourself or to this conversation at all? I kissed a man, that's the problem!"
    How could she sit there so calm and nonplussed? She looked at him like he'd announced he planned on baking a cake for dessert instead of confessing to a homosexual act. His gut churned and his heart pounded while she acted like nothing was wrong. So… accepting. A placid breeze to the hurricane that took over his life.
    "Ryan…" She swiveled in her chair to face him directly, scooting close enough to rest her hand comfortably on his arm. "I can see how upsetting this is for you. Maybe even illogical and something that's put a large chunk of chaos in your life. But, let's think about this rationally."
    He snorted.
    "It's not the end of the world, you know."
    "I'm not sure of that." His voice, filled with hopelessness, came across as a whisper.
    "What's the worst that could happen? You could find another part of yourself and perhaps happiness with another person in your life."
    "I could also lose my job, the respect of my family, and my fucking sanity."
    "I don't think so."
    He arched an eyebrow at her.
    She waved her hand. "Besides the anti-discrimination laws, I personally will kick anyone's ass that whispered a word against you."
    "Yeah, that's the answer." He put enough sarcasm in his tone for her to pick up easily.
    "Then what is?"
    "For me to forget it ever happened and move on with my life."

Chapter 16
     
    Ryan stepped through the front door of Chopper Views, finding Tempest sitting at her desk. She glanced up at the cheerful ding of the bell attached to the door, a smile immediately appeared on her face, causing her to glow and enhancing her beauty. He sucked in a breath at the amazing sight.
    "Hi. Let me shut down the computer then I'm ready." Her soft voice caressed him with dainty feathers stroking his desire for the petite beauty with the Einstein IQ.
    "Going out again?" Rogue leaned against the threshold of his office door, arms crossed over his chest.
    A mighty fine chest, too. Ryan shook his head to rattle the out-of-the-blue thought away for good. A man might appreciate another man's build, strength, or prominent muscles, but the sight of a wide chest covered by powerful arms didn't normally click on their radar. Unless the guy happened to be gay. Which he wasn't. Then why am I admiring