The Spectator

By Eve Morton

Regina is used to getting what she wants. When she meets Shane, the brooding art school grad turned ad exec at her PR firm, the two fall in love and get married right away. But five years into their marriage, Shane's frustrations only seem to grow and Regina tries everything to mend the relationship -- new sex, vacation time, and long nights discussing their future.

Finally, when Regina suggests a threesome, everything seems to click. Shane surprises her when he says he wants to explore his bisexual side by inviting a man into their bed.

Together they frequent downtown Toronto and Regina's night classes to see if they can find the perfect man to join them.

When they meet a blond, Adonis-like stranger, they think everything's set. So why is Shane suddenly getting cold feet?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Feb 17, 2024
• ISBN: 9781685505479

Book preview

Chapter 1

What about him? Regina pointed across the diner. Tall. Maybe a touch under six feet. Nice build. Wearing a blue shirt under the uniform. He could be good, right?

Shane tapped his fork against the table. He didn’t turn around.

Regina sighed. Are we not playing anymore?

It’s not a game. Maybe I shouldn’t…

I know, I know. Bisexuality isn’t a phase or a game or anything temporary. I’m sorry. I just…Don’t you want to at least see him?

I do, but I can’t be obvious. I feel bad enough we’re already pooling for applicants this way.

Well, it’s probably safer than Craigslist. Regina glanced at the front of the diner. The guy she’d set her sights on rose from the booth where he’d been before counting tips. He grabbed a leather jacket by the front and tossed it over his shoulders. Oh, he looks good in leather.

Hmm? Shane turned around.

Figures leather would get his attention. Shane’s sudden interest didn’t last long. He turned around and regarded his coffee as if it was fascinating.

No? Really?

He shrugged. Not my type.

Are you kidding? Regina chuckled. He pretty much looks like the younger version of you.

That’s the problem. I don’t want to buy what I sell, you know?

You know, for someone who was so averse to buying someone for the night, you sure are making a lot of hooker jokes.

Shane scrubbed his hands over his face. He hadn’t shaved that morning, and his stubble made him look every bit the biker (before he turned Boy Scout) she’d fallen in love with. I know that’s what I said. But maybe we should just go with a professional? I mean, what exactly are you looking for? What’s in it for you?

Oh, lots of things. I love you for one, and I want to be sure you’re happy… Regina grabbed a packet of sugar and emptied it into her coffee. It would be far too sweet now, but maybe the caffeine spike and extra sugar would do her some good. After the two of them had finished their day job at a booming PR firm in downtown Toronto, they headed all the way across the city to this seedy diner outside of the city for dinner. They ordered greasy foods and far too much coffee as they finally discussed what they realized they needed to do.

* * * *

Regina had always been attracted to Shane, even when the two of them first met at a business party meeting during the Christmas holidays, and he had been in a terrible mood. Shane had dressed poorly back then, not caring what he wore as long as he had a leather jacket, and had been drinking too much at the back of the room. The same Christmas party was no exception. When she asked him what was wrong, he’d grunted a response about hating the holidays, but she kept pressing him. At this point in her career, she knew how to talk to men and make them open up. Shane wasn’t the typical ad exec who flipped out over the wrong type of milk in his morning coffee; he was the quiet, sullen type who went to art school and ended up in advertising and sometimes got a bit too sensitive. Regina always liked her men smart yet conflicted, because usually those were the guys who melted like butter in bed. They wanted their control taken away from them afterhours and someone else to take care of them.

As it turned out, when Shane finally opened up to her, he’d confessed that his motorcycle had been dented the night before by the snow plow on his street.

Impossible to fix, he complained and drained the drink in his hand.

That doesn’t seem so. Nothing is impossible to fix.

Then maybe I don’t want to. I like the bike, it gave me some good times, but maybe I should grow up like my sister’s always telling me. Maybe that’s why I’m pissed, because even the universe is telling me to get with the program.

If the universe could talk, I doubt it would spend its time on a lonely PR person’s quarter-life crisis. Better things to do. So, can I get you another drink?

Shane had responded to Regina’s charm and her assertiveness right away. In the back hall closet of that Christmas party, she had led Shane into submission with a minor glance. They’d gone home together and spent the holidays together doing very un-holiday like things. When they put on clothing, he’d driven her around the