Crimson and Clover by Juli Page Morgan

make up something whenever anyone asks us what it means.”
    Should she kiss him? God, she’d never wanted to kiss anyone as badly as she wanted to kiss this man. But she couldn’t be sure how he’d react. Yes, he was holding her so tight, his hands sliding from her waist up her back, but his eyes held no clue as to how he felt. She couldn’t discern any kind of desire in the way he was looking at her, more like puzzlement. It was like he was trying to figure out who she was, and it confused her.
    The Turtles stopped testifying about their pleasured hands, and the psychedelic strains of “Magic Carpet Ride” began. Katie was disappointed to feel Jay pull away from her, and was glad she hadn’t tipped her hand by kissing him.
    “You surprise me, Katie Scott,” he murmured.
    “Really?” She arched an eyebrow. “How?”
    “The fact that you got me to dance with you. I very rarely dance with anyone, and never in public.”
    Katie’s heart gave a cautious little bump of anticipation. “Well, I’m glad you took a chance.”
    Jay smoothed a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I guess I just can’t resist you.”
    “Does that mean I have you at my mercy?” She had no idea how she got the words out; she could barely draw in enough air to breathe, much less make conversation.
    “You might,” he responded. “But unfortunately, I’ve got to leave.”
    “Oh. Well, then.” She cleared her throat. “I’m really glad you came by tonight.”
    “So am I.” He bent down as if to kiss her cheek, but whispered in her ear instead.
    Katie watched him wend his way to the door and disappear through it. Everything else receded, and she was unaware of the music, the smoky air, or the jostling of bodies. All she knew was the echo of Jay Carey’s whisper in her ear: “I want you.”

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Jay took a healthy hit off the joint and passed it to a snickering Adam. After a moment, he blew a thin stream of smoke between his lips.
    “Anyway,” he said. “We all knew what was going to happen, but it was still funnier than hell when the man put his arm around Marty’s waist and whispered, ‘How you doin’, sweet thang?’”
    Adam choked on a combination of smoke and laughter which Jay found much more amusing than his story about Marty Harrison. Ribs aching, he handed Adam what was left of his Jack and Coke.
    “Here, drink this.”
    Adam shook his head and waved his hand. “ … kill me … ” he gasped out.
    Still laughing, Jay drained the glass and slammed it upside down on the coffee table. “Nancy boy.”
    Red in the face, Adam wiped his streaming eyes and checked the many lager bottles that littered the area around his chair. A sloshing noise came from one and he raised it to his lips, throwing his head back to get every last drop. With an explosive gasp he lowered the bottle and rested his elbows on his knees, breathing hard. “Not a nancy boy,” he croaked. “But your Texas accent left a lot to be desired. Combined with that shirt … ” He started snickering again and pointed at Jay. “You look like the Gay Caballero.”
    Jay suppressed what could only be termed a giggle and decided he’d had enough weed and booze. He spread his arms wide and looked down at his new overly-decorated fringed shirt. “Hey, this shirt is from Nudie’s. Everyone wears them.”
    “Especially gay caballeros.” Adam looked around with a perplexed frown. “Where’s the joint?”
    “Please don’t burn my house down.” Jay put his feet on the table and crossed his ankles. “Do you want to hear the rest of the story?”
    “What story?” Adam stood up and searched the chair.
    Another bout of laughter shook Jay’s shoulders. “The story about the man in Dallas who saw Marty from behind and thought he was a bird.” He narrowed his eyes at Adam’s foot. “The joint’s on top of your shoe, mate.”
    “Fuck!” Adam snatched it up and beat on his shoe to extinguish any errant embers. Ignoring Jay’s hoots of