Lustful Hearts
Chapter 81: Aроlоgіеѕ Again - P2

"So you see this is the place to hang out if you want to meet hot people," Elijah concluded as all three of us sat on the bench in the park watching as the world strolled by.

It was a lovely spring day and the temperature had taken an unexpected turn, so everyone was out flashing some flesh. We were sat discussing on a scale of one to ten how hot people were.

It was not something I enjoyed doing, always feeling more of a six myself. But Ryan and Elijah were more than happy to keep going, always going into far more detail than what was needed. "The best piece of perving advice I can offer you both is to wear sunglasses, that way no one will ever guess where your eyes are looking.”

I knew exactly where his eyes were fixed on-something further south.

"Ahh, so that's the reason for the sunglasses, so happy you explained that," I muttered sarcastically, taking another sip of my caramel latte.

"Drink up, lz, you need something to sweeten that acidic tongue of yours."

I stuck my tongue out in retaliation, and he laughed before continuing with his perving.

A cute guy came into view, and we both immediately sat up. Even I could see he was hot, despite the fact that I wasn't remotely interested in men. "Dear lord, he is freaking hot!"

"I have to agree," I remarked, still unable to tear my eyes away.

Elijah's face snapped around to mine. "Bloody hell, Iz, he is definitely hot if even you are noticing."

"Ha bloody ha," I replied, pulling a face at his teasing words.

"I don't see the attraction myself," Ryan muttered sulkily, he was not impressed by the fact this guy was holding both of our attention.

"Then you seriously need glasses, my friend. Jeez, the things I could do to him with my tongue."

I really didn't want him to finish that sentence.

"Elijah," Ryan snapped, but it was beyond useless trying to get Elijah to pipe down when there was a hot guy within metres.

Ryan shot him a look of disgust, but Elijah remained oblivious to it all. His eyes and thoughts were on one thing only.

I could feel Ryan's eyes bore into me. Truthfully I wasn't interested, but it felt good to be out, to feel something again.

The last few months had been hard, and I hadn't made it any easier on myself. But in the last few minutes I began to see some sort of resemblance of life, I never thought I'd see again.

"I think you've got enough pictures," Ryan mumbled sarcastically to an overly enthusiastic Elijah who was busy snapping away.

I laughed at how Elijah liked to make sure he had covered all angles. The guy eventually looked our way, so Elijah discretely pretended like he was texting and not totally devouring and snapping every single inch of him.

He smiled and Elijah grinned back, taking it as a welcoming sign. Ryan scowled, noticing his eyes were actually looking in my direction.

I blushed slightly, not welcoming the unwanted attention. It was great to be out with my friends, but I was nowhere near ready for that kind of interaction.

I dropped my gaze down, starting to feel a little sick and felt Ryan's hand brush against my back.

"Are you okay?" he asked, looking a little worried.

I sighed and then smiled at his concern. "Yeah, I'm fine."

His eyes held mine for a little longer to double check before they looked over at Elijah, who was still oblivious.

"You know, guys, I think he's definitely interested, maybe I could persuade Sam to make the fantasy threesome real."

Ryan shot a look at Elijah. "Err, Elijah, the guy is straight." Ryan started laughing while Elijah pulled a 'yeah right' face.

"Err, Ryan, I think I have way better gaydar than you, he is definitely liking what he is seeing right now. Oh god, he's heading this way. Ryan, keep your mouth shut, and do not ruin this for me." He glared at him as a warning.

Ryan held up his hands in surrender. "Fine, but I think you'll replace you are so wrong." He instantly looked smug, only imagining just what was about to happen.

My stomach dropped when his eyes locked onto mine. He hesitated slightly, licking his lips, walking the last few steps. "Hey, I'm Chris, sorry but I couldn't help notice you were looking over, so I thought I'd come over to say hello."

My eyebrows lifted in surprise as Elijah's smile grew wider.

"Oh we were watching alright, impressive guns, do you work out a lot? I may have to sign up at your gym, maybe we could work out together? I could maybe get your number?"

Chris's eyes widened at Elijah's blatant flirtation as Ryan sniggered beside me. "Thanks for the offer, but I actually wanted to get your number." His eyes flicked to mine. Oh god, this was not happening.

"Actually mate, she's taken, isn't that right, Iz?"

What the hell?

My eyes snapped to Ryan, who subtly gave me a look to show he was actually rescuing me in my hour of need.

"Err yeah, sorry."

Chris frowned and shuffled around nervously.

"Seriously, you aren't even bi?" Elijah asked as all of our mouths dropped open in surprise at his directness.

"No mate, completely straight," he replied, beginning to back off.

"Well, what a waste."

Chris's eyes widened at Elijah's response. "I think I might just . . .”

We watched in amusement as Chris practically legged it away from us. I really didn't blame him, Elijah was almost ready to pounce.

'Well, I hate to say I told you so," Ryan chimed in, taking great pleasure from Elijah's mistake.

"I don't know what's wrong with me, my gaydar is completely off. Maybe I'm coming down with something?"

"Yeah, that's the reason why," Ryan retorted, rolling his eyes.

I dug Ryan in the ribs, I knew he was enjoying ribbing Elijah but it had gone too far now. Elijah's face held a look that made me feel concerned.

"Oww Iz, knock it off." He rubbed his side, sending a glare my way.

"Elijah, are you and Sam okay?" Was something going on between them that he didn't feel he could share?

He frowned at my words. "Yeah, why do you ask?"

"Well you're flirting with another guy, wouldn't Sam mind?"

I knew I certainly would.

He turned to face me. "Izzy, we flirt with other guys all the time."

"Really?" I asked in disbelief. He said it in such a matter of fact way, it almost knocked me sideways.

"I would not be happy with that," Ryan piped up, and I had to agree.

"Oh it's just flirting, window shopping." Elijah waved his hand dismissively like it was something simple like buying a new pair of shoes.

"Didn't sound like it..." Ryan mumbled, but he'd said it loud enough for Elijah to hear.

"Look Ryan, not that it's got anything to do with you, but I am monogamous to Sam, if we did bring anyone in then it would be on both of us agreeing."

Ryan instantly reacted to Elijah's sharp words. "Okay, jeez, keep your hair on. I don't need to hear the ins and outs of your sex life."

"Ryan, go get us some ice cream." I held out some money to him. It was really a quick way of trying to diffuse the situation before it got to boiling point status. "But I don't even want any ..."

"Just go!" I snapped.

Ryan walked off in a huff, and I turned back to face Elijah. "Are you sure you're okay? You know you can tell me."

His face dropped slightly, and I could see there was something he wasn't quite telling me. "I don't like to burden you with my problems. You have enough to contend with . . .”

Burden?

"Hey, I'm here for you always, you've more than helped me through the bad times." I felt sad he didn't think he could turn to me.

"It's Sam, I'm hardly seeing him lately. He's working long hours and then he's too tired. I guess I'm feeling a little neglected. I shouldn't whine but you know me, I'm not someone who likes being ignored. I don't enjoy being last on his list.

I guess the flirting today made me feel special. I don't miss the old days as I love Sam and we are happy, but I miss the attention, the electricity, the flirting. It makes me feel something, it just makes me feel wanted."

"Have you talked to Sam and told him how you feel?" I asked, already knowing his answer.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐