Love After All

She didn’t seem distressed and her voice wasn’t shaky, so maybe that wasn’t the reason she’d come over. “Okay. I’m glad you’re not upset.”

She cocked her head to the side. “You thought I came over because I needed comforting.”

“Yeah. Which I would have been happy to provide.”

Her lips tilted. “Thanks. But I’m tough, Bash.”

“I’ve never doubted it. But you know, it’s okay to lean on someone, too.”

“Is that what you do?”

He laughed. “I don’t need to.”

She twisted to face him. “Why? Because you’re a guy?”

“Something like that.”

“Totally sexist statement, Bash. You think I’m going to crumple when I have a bad day, so I’d need to be held and comforted. But a man would never need that?”

He had no idea where this conversation was going, but maybe she needed to let off some steam, and he was always up for a good debate. “I’m not the fold-and-crumple type. But yeah, I can see how a man could benefit from having a partner to talk to when he’s had a shit day. Who wouldn’t?”

“So who do you go to when you’ve had a bad day?”

“My friends. Same as you, right?”

She leaned back against the sofa. “Yes.”

“Look, neither of us are close with our families. We rely on our friends to be our support systems and always have.”

“Somehow I don’t see you calling Carter or Logan to cry on their shoulders when you’ve had a particularly rough night at the bar.”

His lips curved. “You don’t, huh?”

“No. But men are wired differently. You internalize and work out your issues in other ways.”

“Such as?”

“I have no idea. Maybe you sweat out your frustrations at the gym. Or do a home-improvement project to get your mind off of what’s bothering you.”

He nodded. “That works.”

“Or maybe sex.”

He laughed. “Yeah, that’ll work, too.”

“Whereas women tend to want to talk things through. I’ll call up one of my girlfriends and rant. Then I’ll feel better.”

“You should try sex. Better endorphin rush, and you’ll forget all about your problems.”

She stared at him for a few seconds. “You’re right. I should try sex.”

Bash didn’t know where to go with that statement. “Okay. Got a guy in mind?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.”

Now it was getting awkward. While he was more than happy to sit and talk with her about what had happened earlier tonight and help her through any issues that might be bothering her, he was going to have to draw the line at her sex life. Just thinking about her being with another guy made him uncomfortable. Though he didn’t know why. It shouldn’t bother him. She was an adult, and she could have sex with whomever she damn well wanted to.

Problem was, he’d been spending a lot of time lately thinking about having sex with Chelsea. They’d kissed—more than once. He’d made his intentions clear. She’d backed off—making her intentions clear. But it didn’t mean they couldn’t be friends. He’d just have to suck it up and deal with it, because that’s what friends did.

“Is there someone you’d like me to set you up with?”

“No, and I realize I’m not handling this well because I backed away the night of the wedding. I want you, Bash.”

He blinked. “You do.”

“Yes. But not in a relationship kind of way.”

“So you just want sex.”

“Yes. Are you okay with that?”

He was having a hard time coming to grips with the fact that Chelsea had just propositioned him. It didn’t seem to be her style at all. She was after a relationship—the happily-ever-after kind. But here she was, sitting on his sofa in the middle of the night, asking him for sex.

“I’m totally okay with it. But we talked about it before and you changed your mind, if you remember.”

“I do. I’m bringing it up again.”

“Okay.” This time, he was going to let her carry the conversation without him pushing her on it. Because he wanted her to be sure it’s what she wanted. So he waited for her to continue.

She looked down at her fingernails before meeting his gaze again. “There’s this thing between us. I need to get rid of it before I can continue my search for the perfect man.”

He wanted to laugh, but he could tell she was taking this seriously. “Yeah, that thing. Kind of a pain in the ass, huh?”

“Yes. I figured we should sleep together and eliminate this lurking chemistry, and then I could move on. I hope you don’t find that insulting.”

“Nope. Not in the least.” He wouldn’t mind at all being used by Chelsea. It might help him get rid of the lust he’d been carrying around for her for these past several months, too. Then they could both move on.

It’d be a win-win for both of them.

She looked at him, and he didn’t think he’d ever seen a more honest expression on her face. “I’ll bet you think I’m cold.”

“Honey, I’ve never thought of you as cold.”

“But I’m here tonight propositioning you about sex. That seems, I don’t know, cold, somehow. Doesn’t it? You and me having sex for no other reason that to eliminate a lurking passion we feel for each other.”