“Right.” I nodded, trying to ignore the way my heart rate kicked up at the thought of Eli putting fresh sheets on a bed we might use. “Good thinking. Not for the sex, though.”
“I’ll be right back,” he said, disappearing down the stairs.
Alone in the apartment, I gathered up the rest of the dust cloths and tossed them in the pile on the porch, then vacuumed everything again, wandering from the main bedroom, to the office, and the empty guest bedroom.
I’d forgotten how beautiful the space was. Since all the rooms were on the second floor, there was a spectacular view from every space, either of the forest behind the property, or across the Inn’s wide, grassy lawn to the lake. I could imagine how lovely it’d be at sunset, and how gorgeous the big, open living space would be fixed up with modern appliances.
Everything reminded me that Eli and I had once dreamed of sharing this apartment.
I was coming out of the bathroom when Eli returned, arms loaded with a massive laundry bag and a wicker basket.
“Grandpa caught me in the linen closet,” he explained, dropping the bedding onto the sofa. “Insisted on sending up food since, and I quote, ‘young people need feeding if they’re going to be working all day.’”
I laughed, moving to help him sort through the pile. “Henry never changes.”
“Not really, no.” Eli’s smile was soft, fond. “He asked what we were up to, and I told him we were setting a trap for Mioko to confront her about her matchmaking.”
“And?”
“He called us ‘a pair of damn fools’ and said we should thank her instead. Then he packed this basket and told me to make sure there was wine. I’m pretty sure he was involved in the scheming.”
“He was involved in the demonstration the other day. He and Mioko looked like two peas in a pod. Both scheming.”
Something about that made Eli smile. Then he cleared his throat. “He, uh, also asked if we planned to lock the girl in with us, and I admitted that we were.”
“What did he say to that?”
“He offered to help. He’ll sneak up here once we’re inside and lock the deadbolt on the front door, so we’ll be stuck until he lets us out.”
“When we renovate this place, we should put in a new deadbolt. Why the hell does it need a key to open from the inside?”
Elistared at me for a long moment, then opened the picnic basket, peering inside. “Let’s have a snack, and both shower. I don’t want to make the bed when we’re all dusty and grimy. I brought a change of clothes.”
“Shower… together?” I asked.
He just shot me an irritated look and disappeared into the bathroom. I really wanted to follow, but since he hadn’t explicitly invited me, I restrained myself. Barely.
I distracted myself from picturing Eli naked by taking the pile of drop cloths downstairs and hiding them in the garage, and he was out, dressed in a fresh sexy lumberjack outfit, by the time I was back.
“How was the hot water?”
He grimaced. “I only turned the water heater back on a few hours ago, so it’s lukewarm at best. Enjoy!”
Showering with Eli in the other room was oddly erotic, so it was probably best that the water was a bit chilly. I was forced to rush through the shower, with no time to jerk off to fantasies of Eli accidentally walking in. As much as I would have enjoyed those fantasies.
Clean and dressed in a pair of Eli’s jeans and his black henley, I helped him stretch a fresh mattress cover and sheets over the newly cleaned mattress, our hands brushing, sending electric currents up my arm. When we finished, the bed looked inviting—clean white sheets, a thick quilt in shades of blue and green, and plump pillows in crisp white cases.
“There.” Eli stepped back, admiring our handiwork. “Looks almost civilized.”
I caught him looking at me again, his eyes lingering on my mouth before darting away.
“Okay, what is it?” I asked. “You keep staring at me like I’ve got something on my face.”
Elifroze, caught. For a moment, I thought he might deny it and retreat behind the wall of casual friendship we’d maintained all day. But instead, he took a deep breath and said, “You’re wearing my clothes.”
I flexed my arms and patted my stomach. “Bit big around the waist. I work hard on my abs, not that I don’t appreciate your thick, muscular build.”
“Have you ever fucked a guy? I mean, I know you’re bi, but… have you?”
