We take turns cleaning each other from all the paint remnants. I squeeze a dollop of shampoo from the bottle directly onto Levi’s head and wash his hair, taking time to massage his scalp.
“I like that I’ll be smelling like you later,” he says, with his eyes half-lidded.
“I like that you like that.”
I wash the shampoo off his head and do mine quickly. His hands start roaming my body until they settle on my chest.
“I like your tattoo.”
“Thanks. It means a lot to me.”
“I can tell,” he says. “Did you mean for it to look like henna?”
“I did. In India, men usually have it on their head or hands as part of celebrations, but I prefer it on my chest.”
When we’re both clean, I turn the water off, and we get out. I thank past-Arlo for doing laundry a few days ago because I can give Levi a clean towel. Not that the thought of him cleaning himself with my towel doesn’t inspire some possessive thoughts.
I walk past the pile of clothes on the floor to get to the dresser. I pull out a pair of sweats and a clean T-shirt. When I turn around, Levi is still naked with just the towel around his waist.
“Do you want to borrow some clothes?” I ask.
He comes over and grabs a clean shirt from the drawer, bringing it up to his face to smell it. “Does that mean I can stay the night?”
I take the shirt from him and help him put it on, then I take out another pair of sweats and kneel to help him into them.
“Does that answer your question?” I ask when I stand up, wrapping my arms around his waist.
He goes on his tiptoes and leans in for a kiss, which I gladly oblige. I think if I could live my life with Levi’s lips permanently attached to mine, that would be splendid.
“Mm-hmm. I wasn’t sure if you really meant what you said earlier since we didn’t do anything in the shower.”
I wrap my arms around him, relishing as he melts into my embrace. “I always mean what I say, especially when it comes to making you sexy promises.”
“Ooh, sexy promises. I like that.”
I chuckle. “Good. Now, how about I order us some dinner, and then we can see how far along we get into a movie before I jump you.”
“That’s easy. I’m ready to jump you now,” he says with an easy shrug.
“I know, but I don’t want you to pass out on my dick. Chinese?”
“Perfect.”
When I moved to Stillwater, I was surprised to find a food delivery app that serves all the restaurants in town. It had been such a long time since I hadn’t needed to cook my own food that it took me a month before I went shopping for the first time.
Now it’s more of an indulgence since I enjoy cooking, even if it’s just for me. If I’d known I’d end up with Levi in my bed tonight, I’d have planned a meal, but as it is, The Family Dragon is a great second.
We sit on the rug in front of the couch with the boxes open while we share bits of each dish.
“So, you’re into nineties music,” Levi says while suggestively stuffing a mini spring roll in his mouth and then licking his fingers.
I take a deep breath and shake my head. “Unless you want to waste this food, don’t play with it, because I’ll have you on your back before you can say good luck and Peking duck.”
“What?” He almost coughs his spring roll out from laughter.
“It was the name of my local Chinese in Mumbai. The owners had a great sense of humor.”
He’s still laughing as he gestures. “Sorry, I’ll behave. So, music.”
