Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
While dancing with Cam and Hope, they quickly discovered that neither Cam nor Nolan had good rhythm, especially when it came to disco tunes. Even so, it had been a blast and Nolan didn’t regret showing off his choppy, awkward moves. He enjoyed both the music and the company.
After that, he was brave enough to dance with a few random guests before dancing twice more with Hope. She also did a bunch of bumping and grinding with Cam.
Nolan was having so much fun that he lost track of the amount of spiked punch he’d downed in an attempt to quench his thirst from all the activity. But then, it also went down way too smoothly.
As the night wore on, Nolan noticed how handsy Cam and Hope became with each other. A touch here, a grab there, the smiles, the whispers into each other’s ear.
He also couldn’t miss every time Cam put a possessive hand along the small of Hope’s back. It was as if he was claiming her for the evening and wanted the rest of the partygoers to know, even though it was obvious they were attracted to each other and had sexual chemistry.
Good for Cam. Nolan was happy he found someone like Hope, whether it was long or short term. Or simply a friends-with-benefits situation. He only wished it had been him instead.
Stop acting pitiful and don’t let jealousy eat at you for something you can’t control. Move on and appreciate what you do have…a solid friendship.
Of course, that was easier said than done.
Cam, carrying a full cup of punch, approached Nolan where he stood along the wall and out of the way while people watching.
“They’re pulling keys now,” Cam announced, offering Nolan the cup.
Nolan shook his head. He was already buzzing and didn’t want to get too carried away. Especially when he had no idea how the night would end. “Let me go take my turn then.”
Cam stopped him from heading in that direction by grabbing Nolan’s forearm. “Are you sure you want to hook up with someone you haven’t seen or met first?”
Nolan raised his eyebrows. “You’re the one who suggested it. And I’m sure I’ve already met whoever ends up picking mine. We got up close and personal with a lot of people on that dance floor. Did you throw a key into the bowl, too?”
Cam shook his head. “No, I slipped mine into Hope’s pocket.”
“That outfit has pockets?”
Cam did a double-take, then burst out laughing. The punch had certainly loosened up his former co-worker tonight. It was nice to see him acting more relaxed and easy-going than when they had worked together.
Out of the two of them, Cam had always kept any emotions locked down tight in the past and was more the typical Type A personality when compared to Nolan, who always leaned more toward Type B.
Nolan and Hope had more similar personalities than she and Cam.
Since life was short—and could’ve been cut much shorter during their former line of work—Nolan didn’t want to be so unbendable or uptight all the time.
He wanted to enjoy life while he lived it.
Another reason he wanted to retire earlier than planned.
The job had been turning him bitter. He had wanted to stop that path before it became too late.
When he walked over to the small crowd still gathered around the key bowl, Cam and Hope followed.
As the last of the group reached in one by one, pulled a key, and found their new partner, they immediately headed off to do…whatever, since the party was winding down.
“Am I supposed to pull a key or do I just wait for someone to pull mine?” Nolan asked, barely loud enough to be heard over the music. Thankfully, it wasn’t as deafening as earlier.
“There are only a few keys left and one is yours. See who pulls it,” Cam suggested, stepping behind Nolan and squeezing his shoulders.
Nolan’s stomach churned as he waited for someone to do just that. He’d never been on a blind date nor hooked up with some random stranger before. And while he didn’t mind putting himself out there, he hoped it wasn’t a complete disaster.
Nolan held his breath as the next person stepped up and pulled a key. The male guest held it up and it was clearly marked with Nolan’s initials.
“Well, that isn’t good,” Cam grumbled, stiffening behind Nolan and releasing his shoulders. “He’ll have to pull another key.”
“It’s fine,” Nolan assured him. “That was a risk I took when participating.”
Cam stepped around Nolan with his brow furrowed and confusion filling his face. “Nolan…”
Nolan kept his expression blank. “What?”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“It’s a resort based around sexual fantasies. Why wouldn’t I take advantage of it?”
“Because…” Cam shook his head. “It’s another man.”
“I can see that.”
“You’re not gay.”
“You’re right, I’m not,” Nolan confirmed.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Hope asked.
“Who’s key is this?” the guest asked, still holding up the key.
“Mine.” Nolan stepped forward, raising his hand slightly.
“You…just be safe,” Cam said behind him as Nolan joined the other man.
“Nolan said he isn’t gay but he’s okay going off with a man?”
Cam was as confused as Hope. He scraped his fingers through his hair. “He just confirmed he wasn’t. If he is, he never told me.”
“Did you ever tell him that you’re bi?”
Cam pulled in a breath. “Of course not.”
“Do you think he is?”
Cam stared in the direction Nolan disappeared. With a man. What the hell! “I mean, I figured bringing him to the mixer tonight would give him a taste of what goes on here at Double D, but I certainly wasn’t expecting that.”
Her eyes also flicked toward where Nolan disappeared. “Looks like he’s getting a good taste for sure.” She blinked up at him. “You’re attracted to him.”
Should he share that with the woman he wanted to fuck tonight? From what he had seen with Hope so far, she didn’t seem the type to get bent out of shape if he told the truth.
Plus, it was probably best to be up front with her. Keeping secrets tended to create problems. Obviously.
“I always have been, but I never told him. I didn’t want things to get weird between us. Especially since we worked together.”
“Well, you don’t work together anymore. You should tell him, Cam,” Hope chided softly. “He’s your good friend, and if I’m not mistaken, he’s into men.”
“How do you know he’s not just going with that guy for shock value and really doesn’t have any plans to have sex with him?”
“Ask him.”
“You mean chase him down?”
“Or wait until morning when he returns to your cabin. He’s either going to be smiling or laughing. Smiling because he was fucked good or laughing because he pranked you good.”
Hope could be right. He could be pulling a prank on Cam since Nolan never gave any indication he was attracted to men. Because if he would’ve known…
Shit.
Too late either way. He was gone already.
But damn, if Nolan was going to have sex with any man, Cam wanted it to be him. Only, how did he broach that touchy subject? Because even if Nolan might be bi, it didn’t mean he was sexually attracted to Cam. He didn’t want to make things awkward between them as friends.
“As you know, in the BDSM world, communication is key. Actually, communication is key in all worlds, not just in the BDSM community.”
Hope was right on that point.
“Do you want to dance some more?” she asked, then tucked her bottom lip between her teeth to hide her smile. Though, the corner of her eyes wrinkling gave it away.
“Do you?”
“I think I’ve boogied myself out for tonight, but there’s another form of dancing I wouldn’t mind doing with you.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Horizontal dancing?”
She finally let her smile free. “I’m not sure how horizontal our dancing will be, but…I’m definitely in.”
“Good. Check your pocket.”
She slipped a hand into her hidden pocket and pulled out the keycard with his initials written on it. She held it up and laughed. “Oh, I see. You wanted to make certain I’m a sure thing.”
He chuckled softly and pulled her against him using a firm grip on her hips. “Well, there’s a bowl over there if you’d rather choose for yourself.”
“Now why would I want to exchange my very handsome prize for a complete unknown?” Her blue eyes twinkled.
“For excitement?”
“Are you planning on boring me?”
He tipped his head toward the exit. “Let’s go find out.”