Lex raised an eyebrow but held his tongue. It’s not like he’d knowexactlywhat we’d been up to in the bedroom, right?
And if he did, it’s not like he’d say anything because more than once since he’d found Emery again, I’d heard moans coming from his old bedroom before or after Sunday lunch. Noah too.
I never used to understand it because there was no way Victoria would have gone up to my room to make out with my whole family downstairs. I used to think it was a respect thing, but I knew how much Emery and Lior loved and respected my parents.
The truth was that what Victoria and I had hadn’t included that raw desperation to touch each other at all times. A feeling I was starting to get acquainted with because my hands itched to touch River now.
Throughout the meal, I barely enjoyed the food. Every bite was as delicious as every other meal we’d had at my mom’s hands, but it was nothing compared to the anticipation I felt for what came after the meal.
Each time River reached for his glass, his shirt sleeve rubbed against mine and sent a jolt through my body, a reminder of the electrifying kiss we’d shared moments before.
Even the way he licked his dessert spoon had me thinking of other things he could do with that tongue.
Dammit, I shouldn’t have been looking at gay porn last night.
I’d read many of River’s spicy romance novels, so I wasn’t completely unaware of how sex between two men worked. Now, thinking back, maybe the way I’d gotten aroused by some of the scenes I’d read since River had gotten me hooked on male-male romance was a giveaway. What straight man reads gay romance, gets aroused during the spicy scenes,andstill thinks they’re straight?
Yeah, there’s amazing writing talent, and there’s burying your head in the sand.
I was such a dumbass.
When everybody finished their dessert, I stood up, impatient to escape, and met River’s gaze across the table. “Thanks for lunch, Mom. I’ll help you clear up.”
This time, Emery looked at me like I’d grown a second head, swiftly joined by my mom, who stopped midway through clearing a plate.
Come on. It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve ever offered to help clear the table.
“What?” I asked innocently.
“Nothing, sweetie.” Her gaze flickered between River and me.
I ignored it and started filling the dishwasher before running the water to clean the big pots.
Lex and Emery joined in and Dad took River into his office to talk about the restaurant, as usual. Before long, the kitchen was sparkly clean, and my mom looked worried that she’d stepped into an alternate dimension.
“Lex, do you think we should be offended that Mom is in shock because we helped?” I asked my brother.
He laughed. “To be fair, as soon as Emery starts helping, we all run to the living room. I felt guilty today.”
Mom walked up and squished us between her arms.
“Ew, what’s this? Affection? Lex, make it stop.”
“You can complain all you want, but I’ll never stop loving and hugging my boys any chance I get.”
Dad and River came into the kitchen, witnessing the cuddle assault.
“Oh no, now she’s gonna want to bake,” Dad said before going toward the living room.
“Now that’s an idea,” Mom said.
“Actually,” I said, meeting River’s eyes. “We should probably head out.”
Mom sighed. “Okay. You boys work too much. In my day, Sunday was Sunday.”
Lex rolled his eyes and I just smiled. Mom was such a liar. Every Sunday for as long as we can remember was spent at the restaurant. This Sunday lunch business only started once my parents handed over the running of the restaurant to River.
“Thanks for lunch, Carla. It was delicious as always,” River said before giving my mom a hug.
