“I do not eat babies for breakfast.”
“Lunch, then?”
“You’re an asshole. You know that?”
Heath’s smile was radiant. It was the first time Evan had seen him look genuinely relaxed. “I’ll have you know I’m delightful company ninety-eight percent of the time.”
“So, I’m the lucky two percent?”
“I’m pretty sure anyone living on Beacon Hill is in the one percent.”
“Asshole.”
Heath bit his lip and turned his attention to wringing out the kitchen towel. “Enough with the pillow talk. Turn around.”
Evan gave the towel a look. What the hell was an iced tea rag going to do that everything else he’d tried hadn’t? But he obeyed, and let out a whooshing gasp of breath when Heath placed the cloth across his shoulders.
It was like ice, but without the pinpricks. It calmed his skin and wrapped him in the scent of fresh mint. He leaned his forearms against the cool stone of the counter as Heath placed another towel down. This one covered from the bottom of his shoulder blades to his waist, and it felt exquisite.
“Holy shit. That’s so good.”
“I hear that a lot,” Heath muttered, flashing an angelic smile in response to Evan’s impressed glance. The guy kept surprising him.
“Whatever that shit is, it’s amazing,” Evan mumbled against his forearms. Heath chuckled.
“It’s chamomile and mint. Nature’s ice pack.”
“I love nature.”
“Is there any woman you aren’t trying to seduce?”
“One in particular comes to mind.”
“Ah, right. Fair.”
Heath removed the first towel and dipped it back into the tea. “I suppose I owe you the details of my own bullshit.”
“You don’t owe me anything, but I won’t say I’m not curious.”
He sighed, placing the towel back with gentle hands. “I know I’ve been…”
“An asshole?” Evan offered, and Heath squawked.
“I’d preferless than charitable.”
“Sure, we’ll go with that.”
Heath chewed his lip and removed the second towel, dunking into the pot for another soak.
“You already know I was supposed to take this trip with a friend.”
“Just a friend?”
“Mostly.”
“Ah, one ofthosefriends.”
“Alas, not really.”
