“Babe, you’re going to turn heads for another hundred years even without the skincare,” Karim said.
Julien shot him a flattered smile. “You’re biased,” he said as he bent to rinse.
Karim snorted. “Yeah, if biased is having eyesight. Right Luis?”
“Yeah,” he said, feeling heat up the back of his neck.
Julien’s eyes caught on his while he patted his face dry with a towel, and Luis tried not to squirm under another flush of heat.
“Flatterers,” Julien said with a smile.
Then Julien turned back to his routine. Serums and lotions went on, the hairband keeping his hair pushed back came off, and finally, he started brushing his teeth. Karim kept hold of Luis’s hand the whole time, and Luis tried not to read into it.
When Julien finished, he stepped back into the room, turning on one of the bedside lamps before doubling back to turn off the bathroom light.
Karim’s hand parted from his, but only so they could move and get into bed properly.
“You’re in the middle,” Karim instructed, pulling down the thick, plush comforter. The bed was big, much bigger than the other two Luis had slept in before, and the comforter was a rich, royal blue. Luis could see how there was plenty of room for three here, and it made him wonder about how often such a thing occurred.
Julien had said they didn’t have guests often though. That Karim didn’t get along with most people.
“Oh, uh, okay?” Luis said. He slid in where directed and Karim followed on the left.
“Mind if I read a little?” Julien asked, perched on the right side. The question was directed at Luis.
“Yeah, of course,” Luis said. “However it normally goes, um, just pretend I’m not here.”
“Now what would be the fun in that?” Karim asked as he scooted in closer, smile curling his lips. He hadn’t shaved, and the scruff on his face gave his expression a more devilish edge.
Sparks shot down Luis’s spine.
A hand reached over and tapped Karim on the forehead in warning. “Behave,” Julien said.
Karim blew out a breath. “I’m still dressed, aren’t I?”
Julien made a sound like he didn’t trust that, and settled himself against the plush headboard cushions before reaching for a book on the bedside table.
Luis did his best impression of normal, while his nerves buzzed and his heart pounded.
Nothing was going to happen. He needed tocalm down.
Karim grumbled and rolled back onto his back and pulled out his phone. Julien cracked his book. The lamp dimmed low until it left the room with tall shadows.
Luis closed his eyes. The bed was soft and comfortable, the comforter heavy and encasing. The only sounds were the pages of Julien’s book being turned and the soft tap of Karim’s fingertips on his phone.
Slowly, minute by minute, Luis felt his body relax. He was safe, warm, and nothing bad was going to happen.
Eventually, a hand touched gently the top of Luis’s head. He startled, opened one eye to see that it was Julien. The man paused, waiting for protest, and when none came, started running his long fingers through Luis’s hair.
Luis sighed as the pleasure of that simple touch sank into him. He closed his eyes and let himself enjoy it. He didn’t need to do anything else.
Sometime later, he heard Karim put his phone down and settle on his other side. Luis could feel his heat, which shuffled closer. Not invasive, but comforting. Present.
Blunt nails combed lines of sensation across his scalp, and Luis drifted.
Before he realized it was going to happen, he was asleep.
Chapter Twenty Four
