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soldiers at attention. He’d felt her sway toward him, heard the catch in her
breath when her stomach had brushed against his erection.
    She hadn’t pulled away then. No, she’d only
done that when he’d suggested they leave. He should have kept his mouth shut.
If he’d played his cards right they might have left together a little later.
But like a callow youth, he’d rushed things.
    “Shit,” he muttered under his breath as he
stalked to the buffet table and grabbed a soda from the ice chest. He’d already
had one beer. That was his limit when he was going to be driving.
    He stood in a shadowy corner of the room
and did his best to ignore the heavy throbbing of his cock, willing it back
into submission. He took a long pull of the fizzy soft drink, wishing like hell
it was a double scotch. All the more reason not to drink, he decided. He didn’t
like to be out of control. Ever. He’d allowed hormones to control him once in
his life and that had led to disaster.
    The situation was laughable. He, who did
his best to avoid women when he was forced to attend a wedding, wanted to go
home with one. But not just any one would do. It had to be Missy.
    T.S. raked his fingers through his hair and
sighed. Damn, he was acting pathetic. So a woman didn’t want him. No, that
wasn’t quite true. She sure as hell wanted him. She just wasn’t willing to act
on it. That was okay. He was a big boy and could handle a no. Wasn’t the first
time he’d gotten one and probably wouldn’t be the last.
    Tomorrow, he’d probably laugh his ass off
at his predicament. Tonight, however, he was finding little humor in his
hard-on that just wouldn’t go away.
    Missy and Candy were still talking.
Whatever they were discussing, Candy was becoming more animated by the second,
waving her hand in the air. She grabbed Missy’s hand and dragged her toward the
master bedroom. Probably some secret wedding stuff that was so important to
women.
    He watched until Missy disappeared from
sight. Then he took a deep breath. Immediately, he felt more in control of his
body. The muscles in his arms and legs relaxed and his erection slowly
dissipated.
    Back in control, he worked his way around
the room, chatting and laughing with the other guests. T.S. hated crowds, but
no one in the room would ever know that. They’d see a man who was comfortable
in his own skin, someone with an easy smile and a ready laugh. He’d worked hard
to cultivate that image. He’d learned early on that such a persona made life
easier and kept folks from asking too many questions.
    Very few people knew the real him.
    And he liked it that way.
    He glanced at his watch. It was just after
ten. By his estimation, he’d put in enough time so as not to be considered rude
if he split. He found Lucas chatting to Justin. T.S. nodded at Justin and spoke
to Lucas. “I’m heading out now.”
    “I’m surprised you lasted this long.” Lucas
didn’t sound the least bit offended by the fact he was leaving.
    “Me too.” He grinned and slapped his buddy
on the back before turning to Justin. “Day after tomorrow we start work on your
place.”
    “I’ll be there,” Justin promised.
    T.S. made his way to the front door with
Lucas by his side. “I’ll catch you then, too.”
    Lucas just smiled. “Maybe.”
    “Be happy, my friend.” Things would be
different now. T.S. wasn’t stupid enough to think otherwise. Their nights of
drinking together when the memories got too bad were over. Football Sundays
were probably a thing of the past. Lucas was a married man now. Candy’s
presence changed their friendship. But he was glad for Lucas even as he mourned
the passing of an era.
    “You too.”
    T.S.’ smile faded as he walked down the
stairs. Alone. He felt more alone now than he had that first night in prison
when the large metal doors had clanged shut for the first time.
    “Stop being an idiot.” He wished Missy had
agreed to go home with him. She certainly would have taken his