Read Online Calling the Shots by Christine D'Abo - Free Book Online

up with his hands, but he couldn’t go further than that. Even his unthinking kisses were crossing a line he really shouldn’t go near.
    Still…he was a bastard enough to take them up on the offer if they actually vocalized it. Best to get out of temptation’s path.
    “I think I’ll head home early. Patch myself up and take some pain pills. You two good to close shop tonight?”
    Their muted nods were the last thing he registered before he grabbed his jacket and fled into the night.
    * * *
    The knock on his condo door a few hours later came as a surprise. Josh had spent the better part of that time under the scalding spray of his shower. The biting heat eventually did the job and soothed out some of the knots in his neck and back. He hadn’t bothered to dry his hair, letting the wet strands cling to his cheeks and the back of his neck.
    Dressed only in a pair of low-riding jogging pants, he glanced through the peephole. Flicking the chain aside, he opened the door and frowned. “What the hell are the two of you doing here?”
    Beth had changed from her bartender garb into a plain black T-shirt and jeans. Oliver was still wearing his work stuff but carried a six-pack under his arm. The young man shrugged. “You said you weren’t going to be able to sleep tonight. We thought we’d come keep you company.”
    “It’s three o’clock in the morning.”
    Beth hooked her thumbs into her pockets. “I normally don’t doze off until close to five. Besides, tomorrow’s our day off. I can sleep in.”
    “Me too. Now can we come in, or do we have to party in your hallway?”
    Given how bitchy some of his neighbors were, Josh stepped to the side and waved them through. “Get your butts in here. I don’t want the condo association on my ass.”
    Oliver whistled as he set the beer on the table. “Nice place. Good to see how the other half lives.”
    “I thought your parents had money?” Beth pulled a beer bottle from the carton and cracked it open with practiced ease.
    Oliver stiffened but tried to cover it up with a shrug. “It’s not like I get to have any of it myself.” Quickly, he turned his attention to Josh’s bookshelf. Beth stared after him for a moment before kicking her shoes off.
    They milled around his living room, picking up pictures, DVDs, the odd book lying around. Josh smiled as their gentle banter washed over him. The remaining knots in his neck and back slowly started to ease.
    Oliver set his jacket along the back of the couch, circling closer to where Josh stood. “How are you feeling?” Oliver finally said, a slight blush rising on his cheeks. “I forgot to ask.”
    “Better. I had some good pain pills hiding in the bathroom. I don’t even feel it.”
    Oliver touched the small tattooed star behind his ear. Josh was fairly certain the other man had no idea what he looked like, how the blush covered the long column of his neck. Josh’s gaze latched on to where Oliver’s fingers traced a small circle. Beth had noticed as well. She’d frozen in front of his bookshelf, openly staring at Oliver.
    Perhaps the idea of a little sex tonight wasn’t such a bad idea. The two of them were wound tight, and that could make for a lot of fun. As long it was between Oliver and Beth, Josh could happily sit back and watch. Playing voyeur held a certain appeal, especially when he had two gorgeous creatures to observe.
    Beth must have felt Josh’s stare and turned with a smile. “Do you still want a good night’s sleep?”
    Josh drained the last of his beer. He’d need to walk a fine line to get this to work. “Yes.”
    “Good.” She marched over to Oliver, pulled his cell from his back pocket and dialed a number.
    “What are you doing?” Oliver’s question was gentle as he ran a hand down her arm. “That wasn’t part of the—”
    Josh’s cell began to ring. Instinctively, he went to answer it, but Beth held up her hand. “Wait.”
    Two more rings and the phone went silent, but it wasn’t