CHAPTER EIGHT #2
“I’m going to grab a quick shower,” Asher explained as he pushed open the door. “I thought you might like to do the same.”
“Yes, please.” Sticky from the summer heat and feeling somewhat tainted from having Scott’s hands all over him, a shower sounded like heaven.
He plucked at the front of his polo and frowned.
When he’d agreed to spend the weekend, he hadn’t thought through the practicalities. “I don’t have anything else to wear.”
“Come with me.”
Passing through a spacious living area decorated with comfortable furniture in earthy tones, he followed Asher into the bedroom of the suite.
The king-sized bed with its fluffy, beige comforter looked soft and inviting, but it was the big bay window complete with a cushioned window seat atop a three-shelf bookcase that made him grin.
The bookshelf seemed to have a little something for every taste—thriller and horror on top, followed by romance and fantasies on the second shelf, and interesting-looking titles of non-fiction on the bottom.
It surprised him to find none of Asher’s books on the shelves. If he’d written that many bestsellers-turned-blockbusters, he’d put copies in every room of his house.
Across the room, Asher pulled open a set of French doors to reveal a fairly modest walk-in closet compared to the rest of the place.
A couple of plush robes hung from velveteen hangers on a short, bronze rod, but the rest of the closet had been filled with shelves and cubbies that held everything from blankets and pillows to an assortment of casual clothing.
“Take whatever you need,” Asher instructed. “T-shirts, sweaters, sweatpants, pajamas.” He pointed out each cubby as he ran down the list.
He jerked his head to the left, then walked through another set of double doors that led into a bathroom twice the size of Cameron’s first studio apartment.
“Towels are in that closet.” Asher pointed, then reached behind him to pull open the top drawer in the double vanity.
“Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, and whatnot is here.” His gaze went toward the glass-enclosed shower that looked big enough to fit four people, maybe six if everyone wanted to get real cozy.
“ Soap, shampoo, conditioner, etcetera there.” Turning to face him, he rested his hands on his hips and cocked his head to the side. “I think that’s everything.”
“I’d say that’s more than enough.” He suddenly remembered there were six other guest suites just like this one. “Do you have a lot of…visitors?”
Asher stared at him for a long time before he finally shook his head. “Not really, but I liked to be prepared, just in case.”
Cameron couldn’t fault him for that. He had a similar setup at his house, though admittedly, on a much smaller scale.
He also didn’t keep extra clothing for his friends or family, but then again, maybe he should start.
As many times as Nico or Natalie had crashed in his guest room after a drunken night out, then gone home in the same clothes, it was probably a good idea to keep a few extra things on hand.
“Thank you. This is great.”
Nodding, Asher pushed away from the vanity and strolled toward the doorway. “I’ll shower and make popcorn, so come find me in the kitchen when you’re ready.”
“Okay. I’ll meet you in a few minutes.”
Asher waved a hand as he backed out of the room. “No rush. Take your time.”
Alone in the most extravagant bathroom he’d ever seen, Cameron approached the wall-sized mirror and frowned at his reflection.
He didn’t look any different. Well, he needed a haircut, but besides that, he looked the same as he always had.
That didn’t seem right. With so many emotions warring inside him, something had to show through.
He still couldn’t believe the conversation in the kitchen had been real. What the hell could Asher possibly see in him? A fair question, but one he decided not to examine too closely. Right then, he just had to focus on two things.
One, he needed to shower so they could watch a movie, and two, Asher was his—at least for a little while.
As the reality of that statement sunk in, he started to laugh, the sound a little hysterical, even to his own ears. Sweet Jesus. He was really dating Asher Dare.
Nico was going to kill him.
~
Showered and dressed in pair of black, cotton sleep pants and a simple white T-shirt, Asher lounged on the overstuffed sofa in the smaller theater room across the hall from his master suite.
The big theater on the bottom floor was great for entertaining, but with just the two of them, he preferred the more intimate space .
“I can’t believe I missed this last week.” Cameron eased down on the other end of the sofa so Asher could place the popcorn between them. “I love it.”
The entire room had been decorated in black and reds with small splashes of white and gold.
A projection screen took up the majority of the wall in front of them, while a wet bar, complete with a mini fridge, occupied the space behind the sofa.
He’d never given it much thought before, but seeing the room through Cameron’s eyes, he had to admit, it was pretty cool.
“What are we watching?”
Holding up the remote, Asher wiggled his eyebrows playfully. “You’ll see.” Then, just to tease, he added, “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”
With a few presses of the remote buttons, he dimmed the lights and started the movie, then adjusted the volume of the surround sound speakers to a comfortable level that wouldn’t leave their ears ringing afterwards.
Thirty seconds into the opening sequence, Cameron stared wide-eyed and slack-jawed at the screen.
“No way,” he protested, shaking his head. “Absolutely not.”
“What? Not a fan of the classics?”
Cameron glared. “I’m not a fan of creepy killer clowns. The book was terrifying enough. I don’t need to see the live-action version. ”
It was Asher’s turn to gape. “You’ve never seen this? Not even once?”
“Not even once.”
Oh, this was too good. “You’re going to love it.” Moving the popcorn bowl to the glass coffee table, he patted the cushion next to him. “Get over here.” When Cameron arched one eyebrow skeptically, he patted the cushion again. “I can’t protect you if you’re all the way over there.”
Cameron grumbled and huffed but slid across the sofa until he was snuggled right up against Asher’s side. Tucking his feet under him, he leaned in and stretched his neck to brush a kiss against the curve of Asher’s jaw.
“Don’t think this means I forgive you.”
Warmth radiated through Cameron’s thin, gray T-shirt, and the scent of his recent shower still clung to him.
Neither should have been particularly erotic, but that didn’t stop Asher from wrapping an arm around him to pull him closer as he inhaled.
Feeling ridiculously satisfied and almost blissfully content, he sunk deeper into the couch with a quiet hum.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Twenty minutes into the movie, he gave up trying to pay attention and settled back to watch Cameron instead, acutely aware of every gasp, twitch, and shiver.
The last, he didn’t think was because of the movie.
Pulling the red, fleece blanket off the back of the sofa, he draped it over them, making sure it covered Cameron’s shoulders.
“Thanks.” Cameron leaned up to kiss his cheek, then burrowed into the blanket, his attention riveted on the screen.
Asher just blinked. The kiss had been affectionate yet casual. He hadn’t stopped to think about it, and in fact, Asher would wager he hadn’t even realized he’d done it, which only made it that much sweeter.
Damn, this is nice. He hugged Cameron tighter and nuzzled against his temple. I could definitely get used to it.