“Hopefully he hasn’t decided to go to bed,” Luke added. “Might be stuck here until morning.”
He casually walked to the kitchen and started digging through a picnic basket, while Eli watched, eyes on Luke’s ass. And now I was picturing them fucking. I crossed my legs, hoping my fantasy wasn’t painted all over my face.
Luke laid out the contents of the basket at the center of the antique table, pulling out mineral water in glass bottles, a stack of sandwiches wrapped in paper, two bottles of wine, a tray of cheese and crackers, a bowl of fruit, and a box of Henry’s pastries.
Eli opened the pastry box and showed it to me. “Come on. Eat with us, and I’ll text Henry and demand that he set us free.”
“Fine,” I huffed, taking a seat at the table opposite the men. Eli set out paper plates and cups from the basket, offering me water as he arranged the food with an artful ease that told me he was a very good innkeeper.
Luke unwrapped a sandwich and took a big bite. “Fuck, this is good.”
I took a pastry and broke off a corner, and crap. He was right. If I was going to be locked in an apartment with two obnoxious men, at least I had Henry’s cooking.
“How about a game of truth or dare while we eat?” Luke asked.
I narrowed my eyes, suspicious of this sudden shift. “Truth or dare? What are we, twelve?”
Luke nodded solemnly as he chewed, though his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Exactly. It’s a children’s game. Safe, innocent fun between friends designed to resolve our questions. Unless you’re scared?”
“I’m not scared,” I said automatically, then regretted it when both men grinned like they’d won something.
“Great,” Eli said. “Ladies first.”
“Okay. Fine. But only because I need to make sure you two don’t fuck up your friendship again.”
“That’s the spirit,” Luke said, laughing.
“I pick Luke. Truth or dare?”
Eli laughed. “Luke always picks dare. If you want truth, you’re gonna have to ask me.”
“Dare,” Luke confirmed.
“Kiss Eli.”
They looked at each other, years of history passing between them in a single heated glance. Then Luke stood, and Eli followed, stepping closer. Luke didn’t initiate the kiss, just leaned in, like he was waiting for something, asking for permission.
And Eli took control, cupping Luke’s face in his large hands with surprising gentleness. Luke’s eyes fluttered closed as Eli leaned in, brushing their lips together softly at first, almost questioning. Eli made a low sound in his throat—half growl, half moan—and tugged Luke towards him.
Eli didn’t just deepen the kiss. He took it over, hands sliding around Luke’s throat, holding Luke where he needed him as he devoured his mouth. It was brutal and tender—the kind of kiss that didn’t allow for anything except the filthy slide of tongue and teeth.
Luke melted for him, just fucking surrendered, arms gripping Eli’s shoulders as if he might float away otherwise. The sound he made was pure need. I felt it everywhere, the shockwave of their hunger, hot and electric, pulsing in my chest and lower, a growing heat between my legs.
I couldn’t look away. They were beautiful together—Luke’s lean frame against Eli’s broader build, light hair contrasting with dark, their movements both aggressive and tender. The kiss was raw, desperate, years of longing compressed into a moment of connection.
When they broke apart, both panting slightly, their eyes remained locked on each other, as if seeing something new and precious for the first time.
“Mm, I like this game if it gets me kisses. My turn,” Luke said as he sat back down.
Eli smirked at him and sat beside him, closer now, so their shoulders were touching. He reached for his water and took a sip, eyes on me, free hand on Luke’s thigh.
Luke’s eyes sparkled. “I pick Mioko, of course. Truth or dare?”
“Truth,” I said quickly, not trusting the dares he might concoct in his current state.
Eli’s smile was knowing. “Coward.”
“I don’t know. We have some hard truths to cover,” Luke said. “Are you attracted to us?”
