Layers: Book One by Tl Alexander Page B

have microwaved some popcorn,” I deadpan and he laughs.
    “Hell, if I’d known there was going to be a show, I would have brought my own.”
    “Next time I’ll text you the time and date of the show so you’ll have plenty of time to pop your corn.”
    I finish dressing then sit on the bed and put on my runners.
    He swings his lanky legs off the other side of the bed.
    I stand and spy him adjusting himself. “You really did miss me.”
    He turns. ”You have no idea.”
    I can’t help but notice the ample lump that has turned his loose-fitting jeans into tight-fitting jeans. “Are you going to be able to walk with that thing?”
    He adjusts himself again. “I think I might need a minute.”
    “Or ten.” I say and wiggle my brows.
    He looks down at his lump.
    “I’ll meet you in the kitchen in ten. I stare at it again. “Or twenty.”
    I walk to the door. “FYI, I missed you too.

 
THE SHINDIG
     
    Two days later, Jaxson Ryan hosts a charity dinner for children with learning disabilities at the estate. From the guesthouse where Lane and Mary reside—Lane and I watch the formally-dressed diners arrive.
    “Looks like it’s going to be quite the shindig,” I say and take a sip of Scotch.
    “Yep, sure wish I’d been invited,” Lane says with a sarcastic grin.
    “Yep, me too. Can’t get enough of black tie charity dinners. So Mr. Lane Gray, you have the night off. Are you going to Disney Land or on a hot date?”
    “I was hoping we could just hang.”
    I lift a brow. “Just hang, huh?”
    “Yeah.”
    We continue to watch the guests arrive.
    “More Scotch?” I ask and grab the bottle.
    “Are you trying to get me drunk, Ms. Alexia Keith, so you can take advantage of me?”
    I laugh. “Do I have to get you drunk Mr. Lane Gray, to take advantage?”
    “No. You can take advantage of me at any time and in any condition.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind. So what does just ‘hanging’ consist of ? Other than drinking.”
    “Anything you want” he purrs.
    I roll my eyes.
    “We could get high.” He raises a brow.
    “Really?”
    Thirty minutes later…
    “Dude, this is some sick cannabis,” I say while exhaling. “Maybe we should open a window or go outside. I don’t think your mom would appreciate her house smelling like a marijuana bar.”
    “Let’s go out to the garage,” Lane says.
    We shuffle to one of the two garages and enter through a side door.
    Lane flips on a light.
    We walk around while passing a joint between us.
    “How many cars does the Boss-man own?” I ask.
    “Twenty cars and three bikes.”
    “Who in the hell needs twenty cars?”
    “A bored millionaire.”
    “I know a bored billionaire that doesn’t have any.”
    “Maybe it’s not a question of need. One doesn’t even need a vehicle.”
    I laugh.
    “What’s so funny?”

    “I don’t know. I must be real high because you reminded me of ‘Kung Fu’.”
    “The Carradine dude.
    “Yeah.”
    “Why do I remind you of him?”
    “It’s not a question of need grasshopper because one doesn’t need a vehicle,” I say with my best Kung Fu-Master voice.
    Lane starts to choke while inhaling. Or maybe he was exhaling. Whatever. I grab the joint and pat him on the back.
    ”You okay man?”

    “You are so high and that was fucking hilarious.”
    “Thank you, grasshopper.”
    “Why was he called grasshopper?” He asks.
    “It…He…I have no fucking clue.”
    We continue to wander around the garage.
    “Which car is your favorite?”
    
Lane meanders over to a cherry red Mustang convertible.
    “This is,” he says as he runs his hand over the hood. “Mint condition—1966—all original parts.”
    “I don’t know shit about cars so I’m assuming that’s good.”
    He smiles. “Yeah, it’s good.”
    We make our way over to a new Range Rover. “This is new.”
    “Yeah, the Boss-man just got it. You like Rovers?”

    “I guess, I learned how to drive in one.” I pull on the driver side door and I’m