26. First Of All, I’m A Delight.
TWENTY-SIX
FIRST OF ALL, I’M A DELIGHT.
Eve
“Eve, is everything okay?” Jake’s voice sounds from the other side of the door.
Lach freezes, still inside me. My eyes widen, and my body tenses, causing my pussy to contract around him involuntarily. His eyes pinch shut, and he bites back a moan.
I scrunch my face and mouth, “Sorry,” to Lach. I twist to face the door, answering Jake. “Um. Yeah. Everything is fine.”
“Okay,” Jake says. “I heard some banging, so I wanted to make sure.”
My heart hammers in my throat. Lach scrambles to pull out of me. With the blanket wrapped around his other leg, he slams his foot to the floor with a hard thud. He hobbles around while being as quiet as possible, which isn’t very quiet.
“Oh. Sorry. I was just… watching… porn, and I hit… the nightstand.”
Lach stops searching for his towel and turns to me. “What the fuck?” he mouths while trying to contain his laughter.
I shrug, pinching my lips together to keep my own laugh from bursting out. I yank the blanket from him, and he stumbles backward.
“Didn’t need an explanation. Have you seen Lach?” Jake asks.
“No!” I spit out entirely too fast to be casual. “I haven’t. Why?” My gaze shoots to Lach. “Hide,” I mouth.
He scans the room. “Where?” he whispers.
“I don’t know. Anywhere.” My voice is low so only he can hear.
He eyes the space between the floor and the box spring but, within seconds, realizes he won’t fit underneath. He spins around to face the closet. With the speed of a camera flash, Lach’s naked, pale ass disappears behind the door.
Jumping to my feet, I grab my bathrobe draped over the back of my desk chair. I shrug it over my shoulders and secure it closed with the rope. I finger comb my hair to make it look like I hadn’t been on the verge of an orgasm.
“His truck’s here, but I don’t know where he is,” Jake says through the door.
“I think he went out for a run.”
A mop of chestnut hair peeks out from the edge of the closet doorframe. Lach’s forehead wrinkles as he mouths, “A run?”
I shrug my shoulders. “I mean… run to the basement… so he could take a nap.”
He rolls his eyes, but he smiles before disappearing into the closet again.
I stroll to the door and glance over my shoulder one last time to confirm it doesn’t look like a sex party behind me. When it’s clear, I crack the door open just enough for my head to fit through. “Maybe he’s wearing his noise-canceling headphones. He does that sometimes.” I scan Jake’s face to make sure he isn’t suspicious of Lach hiding in my closet.
“I glanced in the basement and didn’t see him. I bet Rachel picked him up.”
My heart twists into a painful knot in my chest, even though that’s not the case since he’s currently naked, hiding in my room. I don’t know who she is, but the urge to kill Rachel is strong. “Yeah. Maybe.” I fight to keep my tone neutral.
“Alright. I’m going to jump in the shower.”
“Okay,” I say a little too eagerly.
Jake walks the rest of the way down the hall and into the bathroom. When the door closes behind him, I race to the closet. I glare at Lach.
“What?” His brows pinch together.
“Who’s Rachel?” I cross my arms over my chest.
“A girl from the bar. You want to discuss this now?”
I pop my hip. “Do you want to give me a better time?”
“Anytime when I’m not naked and hiding behind your closet door would be great.” When I continue to glare at him without moving, he spits out, “She means nothing to me. You’re the only one I want.” He grips my chin and leans in, pressing his lips to mine.
My body softens, and I drop my arms to my side. “Good answer.” I step out from in front of the closet. “Jake’s in the shower. You should leave.” I point toward the door.
“Did you find my towel?”
“No. I didn’t prepare for proper towel placement in case of a quick getaway.”
“My clothes?”
I twist around and scan the floor but come up empty-handed. “I don’t know where they went.”
He emerges from the closet, holding one of my cotton t-shirts over his cock. My gaze drops to the pink shirt with an opossum that says First of all, I’m a delight . I won’t lie. What’s hiding behind the shirt is a delight. Back at the bedroom door, I pull it open and peer into the hallway. The bathroom door is still closed.
“Now’s your chance to get out.”
“Alright.” He stalks toward me as he rotates the shirt to cover both sides. “Have I told you I like it when you boss me around?” He comes to a stop when he’s next to me. Bending down, he presses his lips to mine.
I melt against him. Now is not the time, Eve. “You can do more with that later,” I murmur against his lips.
When he has one foot in the hall, the bathroom door opens. I palm his chest and shove him back into my room. With a grunt, all the air escapes his lungs. For a second time, he stumbles backward. I grab the doorknob and pull it so I’m trapped between the door and the doorframe.
“We’re out of towels. I have a laundry basket full in my room.” Jake strolls past me and to his room.
A few seconds later, he emerges with a stack of towels and goes back into the bathroom. I stand perfectly still, listening intently for the telltale sound of the shower turning on. After a few seconds to make sure he doesn’t come back out, I open my bedroom door again.
Lach meets me in the middle of the room, my shirt still wrapped around his waist. “Fuck, that was close.”
“Too close.” I collapse on the bed.
The bed dips as he takes a seat next to me. “So, tell me about this porn you like to watch.”
I playfully backhand him in the stomach.
He flinches. “Or not.”
“If we just tell Jake, we won’t have to do all this sneaking around.”
“You’re right. We wouldn’t because I’d be dead.”
Sitting up, I blow out a heavy sigh. “When do we tell him?”
“Not right now. There’s just a lot going on with you moving back, me moving in.” He runs a hand across my shoulders and down my arm. “I’ll tell him. I promise.”
I bite my lips together and nod. “Yeah, okay. Now is your time to escape. You better go.”
His lips press against my forehead. Without another word, he rises off the bed, twists the knob, and peeks around the doorframe before disappearing behind the wood door.
I flop back on the bed. The roommate situation isn’t panning out like I hoped. I should be screaming Lach’s name while he gives me orgasm after orgasm, but instead I’m lying on my bed, alone, horny, and orgasmless since we were rudely interrupted. At least I can fix a couple of those things. I roll my head to the side. A chuckle escapes me as I spot Lach’s towel on the floor between my suitcase and the wall, and his jeans peek out from behind a cardboard box. Never thought to look there.
Shortly after Jake’s shower, the rumble of his truck sounds from outside as it disappears from the driveway. Reaching over to my nightstand, I yank open the drawer and pull out Charlie Cumming. With the silicone cock in hand, I slide it between my legs. Since Lach isn’t going to provide the orgasm, this will have to do, and I’m going to make sure he hears every moan and scream.
For the rest of the night, I stay in my room, read my book, and pretend my life doesn’t involve falling for my brother’s best friend—instead, I’m in a fake relationship with a billionaire. It seems less complicated. When Jake gets back, I hear him talk to Lach, but I don’t bother to join them. Instead, I fall into a restless sleep.
The following morning, I stir awake. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts through the air. My nose pulls me out of bed. I secure my robe around me since I fell asleep wearing it last night. As soon as I open the door, Jake and Lach’s voices carry down the hallway from the kitchen. Before heading that way, I make a pit stop in the bathroom. When I reach the kitchen, I stop in the doorway, the hairs on my arms standing at attention. Like a beacon, I instantly spot Lach, who looks up at me at the same time as if he knew I was going to be there. His eyes soften, and I fight to tear my gaze away.
“Good morning,” I say to no one in particular as I stroll past them and beeline it to the coffeepot. I pull out a mug from the cupboard and grab the creamer from the fridge. I pour a splash of the creamer into the mug and then my coffee, letting the stream mix the two. I inhale the heavenly scent before taking a sip. A plate of cooked sausage links sits on the counter. I grab a link and take a bite. As soon as it hits my stomach, it revolts. I choke down a gag. That’s odd. “Is this creamer expired or something?” Frowning, I peer inside the mug, but it’s not curdling.
“I just bought it the other day,” Jake says.
I take another bite of the sausage, chasing it with coffee, and the same thing happens. Only this time, I can barely swallow it. “Alright, well, I guess it’s a no-coffee day for me.” I dump the mug out in the sink and toss the last of the sausage link into the garbage.
“I have you and Lach working the closing shift tonight. That way Lach can drive you. Also, I have a mechanic checking out a used car for you. It’s nothing fancy, but it drives,” Jake adds.
“Great. Thank you.” I walk to where Jake’s sitting and wrap my arms around his shoulders from behind. He freezes for a brief second but then relaxes and pats my arm. He’s never been one for hugs, but since I’ll be around more, he’ll have to get used to it. Plus, he’s kind of warming up to the touch. As I retreat to the opposite side of the counter, I shift my gaze to Lach to read his expression. But he’s like a statue, not giving anything away. Tonight will be interesting. Jake rises to his feet and exits the kitchen, leaving Lach and me alone. From under the table, his leg bounces on the ball of his foot. A few seconds pass before he stands. With a quick glance over his shoulder, he stalks toward me. He stands behind me, his hands on the counter, caging me in. With him so close, my heart flutters in my chest.
“Are you feeling okay?” His warm breath skates across the shell of my ear.
I nod, unable to find words because that’s what Lach, in close proximity, does to me. “Yeah.” I eventually spit out. “It must be the creamer. I’ll buy some to make sure it’s good.”
The tip of his nose brushes across my cheek. “Good.”
I’m seconds away from spinning around and kissing him, but he pushes off and stands to his full height. Before I can turn around, he’s strolling out of the kitchen and toward the basement. I blow out a deep breath.
We don’t speak to each other for the rest of the afternoon, not even in his truck. I’m convinced Jake almost catching us scared him away. In a weird way, I found it thrilling. We’re doing something forbidden. Naughty. It’s like telling a child no, but it only makes them want to do it more. I’m most definitely down for more. I hate that it’s my brother we’re keeping the secret from, but it’s Lach’s choice, so I will let him handle it. Now, I wonder if he regrets it.
After we arrive at Porter’s, Lach immediately busies himself serving customers on the far end of the bar, away from me and Nora. A few hours later, the night settles down a little. I run to the back to grab a case of beer. When I return to the bar, Lach’s standing in front of the cooler I need to refill. I stroll behind him and set the box on the edge.
He glances at me. “I know what you were doing.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Yesterday after I left your room.” His forearms flex as he grips the edge of the bar. “You were in your room pleasuring yourself.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. “Oh, you heard me,” I said, a playful lilt in my voice.
“You wanted me to hear.”
“I needed to finish what you started.” I shrug, then I lean closer to him, my arm brushing against his. “Let me ask you this.” My eyes meet his. “What did you do while you heard me?”
Lust, thick and palpable, swirls within the dark pools of his eyes. “Wrapped my fist around my dick, pretending it was your tight pussy I was fucking. There was no comparison, though.”
His hand rests on my lower back, sending tingles of excitement through me. I don’t know how he does it, but every touch sends my body ablaze. His hand slides down the curve of my ass before walking behind me to the other end of the bar. With my head on a swivel, my gaze drops to his muscular ass confined in his tight jeans. When did a guy’s walk become so sexy? He has a certain confident, masculine swagger about him. When I peel my gaze away, movement to my right catches my attention. Nora’s hand rests on her waist, staring at me with a cat-caught-the-canary smirk on her face. I jerk my head away, hoping to hide the blush covering my cheeks.
She struts toward me, stopping a foot away, and props her hip against the cooler. “So I’m almost done with my dating app.”
I peer at her and smile. “That’s awesome.”
“I could use some beta testers. What do you say? Want to help me out?”
“Oh. Um.” Shit. What do I tell her? “Like, set up a profile?”
“Yeah. And match with others to test out those features. You’re single, right?” She lifts a brow, waiting for an answer.
Fuck, what do I say?
She leans in so only I can hear. “I know there’s something going on with you and Lach.”
My heart hammers in my chest. Deny. Deny. Deny. “What are you talking about?”
She barks out a laugh. “You can’t play me for a fool. Neither of you are Houdini hiding all the touching you’ve been doing tonight. Plus, every time you two lock eyes, I’m convinced you’re going to start dry humping each other on the bar. I’m slightly jealous.” She shrugs. “I would die to have a man look at me the way Lach looks at you. The best I get is a middle-aged drunk guy who’s excited when I pass him a new beer. Anyway, anyone with a set of eyes can see it.”
My shoulders slump. “Damn, I thought we were being inconspicuous.”
“No. You definitely need to toss out the ‘in’ in inconspicuous. But I still need beta testers. I mean, you could help me out as a friend, and then Lach can do the same. Then you two can go out on a date,” she lifts her hands, giving air quotes, “‘as friends’ while helping another friend.”
I bite my lips together. It’s a solid idea for us to have a date. “If Lach’s in, I’m in.”
“What am I doing?” Lach says from behind us.
Nora fills him in about knowing about us, how the app works, and needing our help as beta testers.
Lach rubs his chin. “So it’s like an organized foodie call.”
“No. Well, I suppose it could be. But that’s not the intended purpose. Plus, how do you know what a foodie call is?” Both Nora and I stare at Lach, waiting for his answer.
“I fell down the rabbit hole of online videos. They just kept playing, and I just kept watching.” He shrugs.
Nora waves him off. “Either way, not all dates require dinner. Or food.”
“That should be a required question. Will there be food on this date? Someone might need to know if they need to eat before or not. Or what if there is food, and their date has an allergy? No one wants to go on a date that ends in the emergency room.”
Nora sighs. “Dammit, you have a good point. I’ll add the question.”
Lach fake pops his collar. “I’m not all brawn. I have some brain too. Add the question, and I’ll do it under one stipulation.”
“What’s that?” Nora asks.
“Jake can’t know what you know about us.” He waves a hand between me and him.
“Well, you guys can’t keep your paws off each other, so it’s only a matter of time before you out yourself, anyway. Regardless, your secret is safe with me.” Nora motions as if she’s zipping her lips. “But the longer you keep it from Jake, the harder it’s going to be telling him.”
“So I’ve been told.” Lach rubs at his temples.
Nora gives us instructions on downloading the app and setting up a profile. She then emails us a feedback form to give to her after our date. “And obviously, the sooner the better.”
I pat Lach’s chest. “This shall be a fun date.” I flash him a bright smile before brushing past him to help a customer at the other end of the bar. We’re going on a date. A real date. This is starting to feel real.