He already seemed to know one hell of a lot.
It’s a job, Brady. Focus on the job and tighten up. He left you an opening.
He forced a flattered smile. “Well, the real me sounds like a winner, doesn’t he? Maybe someone you could grab a drink with, I suppose. Or a little something on the side at a timeshare? But you just proved my point, Cal. No matter how much we might like it to be otherwise, there’s no way I’d fit in your life or the circles you travel in. No way your impressive friends would think I was good enough.”
“Perfect, Finn,” Ken crooned. “And you said you wouldn’t be good at this.”
The expression that crossed Cal’s face was surprising in its intensity. “You’ll fit because I want you to. And I think I’ve made it pretty clear that you are what I want. I knew it the first time I saw you.”
“You did?” He wasn’t sure how else to respond.
“I did. I won’t lie to you. I think it’s obvious what’s been on my mind all night. Not taking you out to my car and getting in your pants has been a true show of willpower on my part.”
“And intelligence,” Ken muttered to no one in particular.
“I’m not…ready for that,” Brady offered, looking down as if he were uncomfortable. Which he was. “I need to get to know a man a little better before I go there.”
Cal narrowed his eyes. “That’s why we’re here. Look at that blush. I didn’t know a big Marine like you would blush like that. Do you not know how many men are watching you right now, undressing you with their eyes? I’m the envy of all of them. It would be that way everywhere we went. Especially those social circles you’re worried about. They wouldn’t care what you said or how you dressed; one look and all they’d be able to think about was getting you naked and what they could do to you when you were. But they wouldn’t dare try. Not if you were mine.”
Brady was definitely turning red now, though he was more insulted and embarrassed than flattered. Cal was more aggressive than he’d imagined. He made himself shrug it off, wondering how much longer this had to go on. “I’m pretty sure that’s not what they’d be thinking.”
“No?”
He forced a self-conscious laugh. “I’m a big guy with bright red hair. I’ve got two left feet and I don’t like crowds. I stick out like a sore thumb.”
Cal licked his lips. “You are definitely big, but believe me, that’s not a drawback. I want you on my arm. Want to show you off. I honestly can’t believe no one has chained you to their bed yet. That you’re available. Were available,” he corrected with a sly smile.
“Wow. That’s really…nice. I mean, that you want to go out again.” Ken couldn’t say he wasn’t trying to be polite. All Brady had to do now was not grab the back of Cal’s head and slam it into the table. If he could keep that instinct in check, they’d be fine.
“We’ll be going out again, Brady,” Cal assured him. “But the night’s not over yet. Let’s see where it takes us.”
Ken swore in Brady’s earpiece, making him flinch. “Excuse yourself and go to the restrooms. Now.”
Brady stood abruptly, unable to resist that tone of command. “I’m—I’ll be back in a minute.”
Cal’s smile was cocky and determined. “You look flushed again. I’ll get you more water.”
Men were definitely sizing him up as he pushed his way through the crowd at Tango’s. Maybe they thought he looked familiar. Most of them had probably dated his brother. Rory had once told Brady he came to Tango’s when he wasn’t in the mood for a challenge.
Brady sighed. Rory was going to get himself in trouble one day with his preference for straight men. If there were four men in a room and three of them were handsome, available and gay, Rory would focus on the angst-ridden heterosexual with girl troubles every time. He’d get him too. At least long enough to prove to himself that he could.
His baby brother had been the only one who wasn’t surprised when Owen moved in with Jeremy. “Owen was never satisfied, no matter how many women he went through. And he spent all his free time at Jeremy’s house. There were a million clues.”
“I didn’t see it.” His brother James had shaken his head. “Honestly, I thought he might have had a sex addiction, like the guy on that cable show. Seamus thought the same thing.”
“I didn’t care yesterday and I don’t care today.” Solomon frowned at his younger brothers. “He’s family and he’s happy. Move on.”
Wyatt shrugged. “You may not care, but I’m fascinated. I thought the Quarterback was one hundred percent straight. Jeremy must be truly talented.”