But now as I look at the bedroom—or more aptly the king-sized bed in the center of the room decked out with a million throw pillows and a thick white blanket at the foot—I realize that we are not just staying in the same room.
We’re sleeping in the same bed.
Cue the one bed trope. Fuck.
My cock awakens at the thought, remembering all too well how good it felt to wake up with Aaron beside me.
It’s just a bed. A place to sleep. Nothing sexual has to happen. After all, I did say sex was off the table. Aaron agreed with me, and there’s no way I’m going to proposition him. I can’t afford to, even if I wanted to. I need to treat this for what it is—a job. A paycheck. I’m not going to fuck this up. Sex could definitely fuck it up. Yes, it might get me a heftier tip, but it could also make things complicated, and Aaron and I don’t need to complicate matters. They are complicated enough.
We’re here for one reason, and that reason has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with getting the job he wants. It’s business, nothing more.
I need to remember that.
“Your en suite bathroom—” Chris opens the door to a bathroom that is definitely bigger than any en suite I’ve ever seen before.
The tub in the corner is huge, decked out with little fake shells and starfish and it looks like it has a million jets built in.
It looks perfect for a bubble bath, and I make a mental note to grab some bubble bath from the store. I don’t even care if Aaron thinks it’s weird—I know most men balk at the idea of baths, especiallybubblebaths—as if relaxing and getting clean is a gendered thing or something, which it’s not. Just because I have a dick doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy a little spa night for myself.
I’m going to take a bubble bath in this bitch every night if I can.
I have a lot of time to make up for, since I haven’t had a tub in years.
“Cool, thanks,” I say, feeling slightly on edge. Chris gives me a reassuring smile.
“No problem. I really appreciate you doing this, you know,” he says, running a hand through his dark hair.
“Huh?”
“I mean, I know you only did this for Bella, initially, but—”
Oh, right.
“I mean, she’s a friend. I like to help my friends.” It’s not a lie. I do consider Bella a friend and I do like helping, but I’m not sure how much Chris actually knows about ourfriendship.
“But you’re notherebecause of Bella. You’re here because of me. If I hadn’t asked Bella to contact you, you wouldn’t even be here. You and Aaron would never have even met one another.”
I nod, feeling strangely on the spot. Chris takes a step closer to me, but I don’t move. His gaze roves over me for a moment, lingering in a way that certainly isn’t polite. I tense, because I don’t need any more drama this week than I already signed up for.
I know how Bella feels about Chris. And I know Chris has refused her flirtations on multiple occasions, but I’ve always just figured it was because she was older, because he didn’t see her in a non-neighborly way. I mean, she’s twenty years older than both of us. Age isn’t a problem for me regarding dates or my personal life, but I know not everyone is aiming for a May-December trope in their lives. I get it.
But not once in passing, had I ever noticed Chris looking at me like he is now. I never picked up on any sort of underlying vibes that were creepy or flirty or—
I purse my lips as he leans in a fraction, sliding his hands in his pocket.
“Let’s get one thing straight here, Christopher,” I bite. “While that may be true to an extent, I’m not hereforyou. I’m here for Aaron. Your cousin.”
Chris nods.
“Good. Then you know how important it is that this week goes well for him.” Chris’s gaze holds mine steady as he steps closer, his voice low and deep. I know he’s just talking like this in case someone were to come in they wouldn’t hear us, but I can’t help but feel like maybe there’s more to it. Maybe there’s some other reason, and I don’t want to think about it.
“I do. Andyouwould be wise to remember that as well. Since you said you wouldn’t get in the way.”
Chris grins as he steps back from me. Holding his hands up. “No problem. Just wanted to make sure we’re on the same page. Regarding Aaron, of course.”
The sound of rolling suitcases alert us both, and I turn to see Aaron in the doorway.
“There’s the man of the hour,” Chris says brightly, heading over to his cousin.
