The DJ raises his brow. “Kinky.”
“You have no idea.” Austin winks, flexing his arms and folding them across his chest. His tattoos pop under the lighting above. I could stare all day. His eyes find mine.
Busted. I glance back at my phone and pretend to do something important, but I can feel the heat that floods my cheeks. I can’t help it. He’s ridiculously gorgeous in that bad boy rock star way.
“That’s it, I need a selfie. Social proof we’re not making this up.” The DJ hops off his seat and poses with Austin for a second before finding his place in front of the mic again. “Okay, back to business. We only have a few minutes left so we’re gonna do a lightning round. The only rule? One word answers. No explanation.”
The guys nod, and a trace of entertainment plays in the air. I don’t blame them. After a day of the exact same questions, this format is refreshing.
“What’s something you hate?” The DJ glances up from the paper in front of him.
“Rules.” Austin flashes a wicked smile.
Sean leans back in his chair. “Shellfish.”
Trent leans forward, his elbows on the counter. “Liars.”
Leighton winces. “Losing.”
“Favorite sex position?”
“Fifth.” Sean answers first.
The DJ’s brow scrunches. “What’s that? I haven’t heard of fifth.”
“That’s what I’m pleading.”
Everyone laughs.
“Cowgirl,” Trent says and then lets loose a chuckle that causes me to look away. I do not need specifics on how my sister and her man get it on.
“All of them.” Austin grins.
“That’s three words.” The DJ raises his brows.
Austin shrugs. “Remember, I hate rules.”
Leighton taps his fingers against his knee at a frantic pace, but doesn’t move to open his mouth.
“Still need your answer, Leighton.”
“Come on, kid. No going green on us now. That is, unless you’re still a virgin,” Austin goads and it’s enough to draw a reaction.
Leighton flips him the bird, lifts his gaze to the DJ and leans into the mic. “Doggie.”
“Don’t we all, kid.” The DJ laughs. “Okay, last one. What’s something you’ve never had, and always wanted?”
“My own island.” Austin really doesn’t play by the rules.
“A wife,” Sean says through a smile. He’s totally smitten, and my inner romantic swoons at his sincerity.
Trent runs a hand through his hair, tucking the longer locks behind his ears. His gaze is somber. “A father.”
This time Leighton’s ready. “Love.” His answer flies from his lips with conviction. That one word rumbles from his chest and it’s enough to grip my heart, pull the strings, and strike a chord within my soul. In one word he detonates any good sense I had to guard my heart, because what he wants? I desperately want it, too. To be loved, and to love. To belong and to be desired. To be tethered to this world in something more than a passing moment.
And for one crazy second I wonder whether I might be the one to give it to him.
18
