Razor's Edge (Afflictions) by Racquel Reck Page A

Wiley his death glare.
    God, I love Tryst. At least that look isn’t pinned on me anymore.
    Wiley takes the firewood from Tryst, juggling it with the beer bottle he’s still holding. "Just chatting with my houseguest." He winks at me and heads down the steps into the living room. "Nice talk, Shay."
    Concern shines in Morgan's blue eyes. "You look upset. Did Wiley do something to you?"
    "It’s okay." I rub my head to fake a headache. “I’m going to bed.” I need to check on Ben. After tonight I could use a cuddle session with my little boy.
    "I’ll show you where I put him." Tryst lightly grabs my arm to usher me down the hall.
    I pause and look over my shoulder at Morgan. He’s heading down the steps into the living room. "Morgan."
    He pauses.
    "Thanks for coming back to get me."
    He half smiles then nods. "Night, Shay."
    "Night."
    He disappears down the steps. Now that man is dangerous to a woman's libido. He's the first guy to resurrect my womanly needs since I swore off men three years ago. Why is that? It has to be a fluke. One night with him and I'll see that sex isn't what I need. Maybe I'll become a nun after. Ha! Okay, I couldn't become one because I don’t like church. Maybe just think like one?
    "Come on." Tryst's words are clipped as he continues walking me toward the room he put Ben in. The muscles in his jaw are ticking.
    "Are you mad at me?"
    He stops in front of a door. "Yes, Shay. I’m mad at you. What were you thinking?"
    I shrug my shoulders and go for an innocent smile. "Morgan’s hot?"
    He takes a deep breath. "Shay, Morgan’s a nice guy and all–"
    "Don’t give me this lecture, please." I know what he’s going to say. It’s about Gary.
    "I just joined his band. You’re like a sister to me, and I don’t want to see you hurt. I don’t want to have to kick his ass."
    Not what I thought he was going to say . "Maybe I just want to be with him one time. Ever think of that?"
    "Consider Ben. He knows Morgan now. He likes Morgan. If something bad happens between you two, he'll be crushed."
    "If I sleep with Morgan, I sure as hell won’t tell Ben. Right now, Ben only thinks he’s a customer that helped us when we were stuck on the side of the road."
    "If that’s the case. Say you do have sex with him and he comes into the shop after. You’re telling me shit ain’t gonna be awkward? If you sleep with him once and that’s it, you’ll become a mark on his groupie counter. He’s gonna talk about it. It’s what guys do when they sleep with someone they don’t care about. You think I want to listen to that? You think I want to know how well you suck a dick or how good or bad you are in bed?" He shakes his head. "I don’t want to hear that shit, because I swear, Shay, I’ll knock him the fuck out."
    I was just going with my feelings. But Tryst is right. I hate it when he’s right. Everything I’ve been doing since Gary got locked up is for Ben. How could one guy with smoldering blue eyes, a deep, earthy voice, and a sexy body make me forget all that?
    Tryst opens the door.
    Ben’s sleeping. The light blue glow from the TV bounces off the brown comforter he’s snuggled in.
    "I gave him one of my T-shirts. The second he hit the bed, he was out." Tryst grabs the door handle and for a moment I wonder if he'll stand guard outside the door to make sure I stay in here and don’t sneak out to find Morgan. When did I become fifteen again?
    "Thanks, Tryst."
    "Don’t thank me. I would have rescued you regardless. God, Shay. When I saw it was your car–"
    I give him a hug. He lectured me because he loves me. He’d do just about anything for me. I owe it to him to give this some serious thought before I go any further with Morgan. "Night, Tryst."
    He breaks our hug and gives me a noogie. "Night, Shay."
     
    Morgan
     
    “What did you say to Shay?" I walk down the steps and put the firewood into the rack next to the fireplace. Wiley still hasn’t answered my question.
    I plop down on the couch