Chapter 11
Eleven
Angelo
I should say no. It’s bad enough that we crossed this line to begin with. If we do this again, can we really keep this from turning into a thing?
“Sounds fun. Do you need to go? I mean, is there any rush?” I can’t bring myself to say Eric’s name.
Not while we’re naked and pressed together like this.
Especially if we’re going to do this again.
I need to stay objective. There needs to be a line between my job as a teacher and whatever this is with Thomas.
Thomas shakes his head. “I’m not in any hurry.”
“Great, well, uh, I want to take a quick shower. I’ll take the master shower, and if you want to clean up, there’s another bathroom in the hall.
We can talk more once we’re dressed.” I lick my lips trying to keep from saying more.
As it is, it feels like I was talking too quickly.
It’s just that I’m overthinking all of this. There are so many ways it can go wrong.
I stand up from the couch, but before I can make myself walk away, my eyes sweep over Thomas sitting naked on my couch.
I don’t regret it.
“I’ll be back,” I say. Then I head to my room. I don’t know what came over me earlier. This was supposed to be a fake relationship for the sake of throwing off my coworkers. I wasn’t supposed to kiss Thomas, much less drag him into my house for a quickie.
I turn on the shower, blasting the water on hot like the water will somehow clean away the thoughts in my head. As the water pelts down on me, my earlier words echo in my head.
Doesn’t have to change anything. Just two men having a bit of fun. Nothing serious, right?
Doesn’t have to change anything. Like we could really cross that line and go back to acting like nothing changed. Clearly, that ship has sailed.
But maybe this friends-with-benefits plan isn’t a terrible idea.
Neither of us is looking for something serious.
Why can’t we have fun in the meantime? It’s been a while since I’ve had a fling, let alone a relationship.
There’s no reason I shouldn’t enjoy this.
It’s not like there’s any rule against my sleeping with a parent.
We just have to keep this on friendly terms when we eventually call it quits.
With everything clean, I rush through drying off and threw on a clean pair of underwear and pajama pants.
I need to rein this in. Set the ground rules.
Which means that, for right now, my pants stay on.
The hall shower is going when I step out of my bedroom.
I have a few more minutes to myself before I’m face to face with Thomas again.
Walking into the living room, I see Thomas cleaned up before he left the room.
Our clothes are no longer strewn across the room; instead, my clothes are neatly folded in a pile, and Thomas’s clothes are missing.
Guess we both had the same thought about moving on to the rest of the evening. Clothing no longer optional.
The water stops. Thomas walks out of the hall bathroom, and he’s no longer wearing the Christmas sweater from earlier.
Just his T-shirt and dark wash jeans; his bare feet on the carpet, still wet.
His eyes look over me, taking in my still bare chest. “Hey,” he runs his hand through his hair. “So, what’s the plan now?”
“Want a drink? I’ve got a bottle of wine.”
“Why not?” He follows me to the kitchen as I grab a couple of glasses and the wine. I uncork the wine as I think about what to say next.
“How’s this going to work? I’m guessing we’re not telling people.”
“Telling people what?” Thomas asks, raising his cup to his lips for a sip. “Everyone at your work already thinks we’re dating. What we do behind closed doors is our own business.”
“What about Eric?” I finally ask. As much as I want to avoid the issue, I need to know that my position as his teacher can remain objective.
“What about Eric? He already thinks I’m dating someone. I can let him continue thinking that. He doesn’t need to know you’re the guy I’m out with.”
I can’t really argue with Thomas’s logic. Well, maybe I could, but part of me really doesn’t want to. I want to accept Thomas’s offer.
I take a sip of the wine, letting it sit on my tongue for a moment before I swallow.
“Okay. I’m in. Just one more thing. If we’re gonna do this, I’d like it to be just us.
I know we aren’t a couple, and it’s probably asking too much, but I’m not a fan of messy.
I don’t want to do this if there are other people involved. ”
Thomas sets his glass on the counter and takes a step closer.
His hand cups my cheek as he leans in until our lips are almost touching.
“Just you and me.” He presses closer, sealing our lips with a kiss.
His tongue dances with mine, and by the time he pulls away, I’m nearly breathless.
“Then we’re agreed? No strings, nothing messy, just two guys having a bit of fun. ”
It’s not lost on me that Thomas is paraphrasing my own words back to me. “Sounds fun.”