We finally reached the right desk, and Ellion gave the attendant all the information to collect a yowling carrier. Shakespeare wasn’t happy. “I could’ve left him, since I’ll only be here for three days. I would’ve had to set out extra food, water, and a spare litter box. He would’ve been fine.” He put his face up to the carrier only to jerk it back when Shakespeare hissed and spat athim.
“Let me try.” I showed him myface.
The poor kitty was pressed up against the back of the carrier, terrified andangry.
“Poor fella. We can’t leave you alone for three days.” I stuck my finger inside, risking hisclaws.
He sniffed me and hunkered down, seeming lessangry.
I grinned at Ellion in surprise. “I think he remembers me.” My grin grew to sappy levels and I clutched the carrier to my chest as we went to baggageclaim.
Shakespeare didn’t make a peep once I had a hold ofhim.
The days with Ellion at my apartment passed far too quickly. I’d taken Monday off of work so we could have the three-day weekend. After going to the theater, shopping, visiting the zoo and a couple of museums, Monday night stared us in the face. We sat at my kitchen table, eating a late lunch. Shakespeare snoozed, upside down, on one of the kitchenchairs.
Ellion swirled his iced tea in its glass. “I’m sad,” he said. “I’d extend my vacation, but you can’t miss more work at a job you juststarted.”
“I really can’t.” I’d been lucky to find a position quickly. There was a nurse shortage in the city, so I’d had my pick of positions. I chose a combo obstetrician and pediatrician’s office. It was an excellent idea, keeping the practices together, and it had a huge patient list. I’d already had to ask for a few days off only one week into the job. I wouldn’t ask formore.
He chewed his sandwich slowly. “You know, I have a lot of work to domyself.”
“Oh?” Maybe he could do it here with me. I didn’t voice my desire for him to stay. I’d already been stuck up his butt all weekend. I didn’t want him to be overwhelmed byme.
“It’s all on my laptop, and I brought my laptop with me.” He was fishing for me toask.
I gave in. “Could you do it from here while I’m atwork?”
His eyes lit up. “I surecould.”
Squealing, I launched myself at him. “I’m so glad!” I sat in his lap and peppered kisses on hisface.
Todd had been wrong. Ellion wasn’t my boyfriend… on Friday. By Monday night, pretty much that’s what he was. The problem was that I couldn’t get Chandler or Griffin off of my mind. After all the years of assuming I wouldn’t be a part of my parents’ community, I found myself wishing for a relationship with all three ofthem.
“We haven’t talked about this, but would you like to spend the night in my room tonight instead of theguestroom?”
Our weekend had been full of sexual tension. Every time our fingers touched when we sat beside each other at the theater, every time we bumped against each other when we walked around the zoo, and especially the night before when we watched a late movie beside each other on the couch. I’d had a lady boner the wholetime.
Ellion responded by turning my little pop kisses into a serious make-out session. When we came up for air, he had his ownboner.
“We have to go,” I said, turned on and ready to throw our afternoon plans out the window. He’d been looking forward to the Museum of Science and Technology, so I kept it in my pants a little whilelonger.
That night was the first of many wonderful nights with Ellion. He proved that his nervousness didn’t extend into the bedroom. He was very different from his best friend, Griffin, but in no way was heless.
Two weeks passed in blessed mediocrity. Spending my evenings and weekends with Ellion was thrilling in the most boring way. After the excitement of Alaska and the busyness of his first weekend with me, regular life was fun next to such a caring, smart, handsome man. We had dinner a few times with Ellie, Todd, and his husband, Rick. We grocery shopped. We watched a bunch of movies and got addicted to a horrible realityshow.
At last, after two weeks of bliss with Ellion, all the guys were coming home from Grenève. I couldn’t wait to see Chandler. And my brothers, of course. And Griffin, oh Griffin. I tried to not look forward to seeing him. I triedso hard.But I had to be honest with myself, and I couldn’t wait to see his large frame walking towardme.
He’d given me radio silence in the five weeks since we’d slept together, and I couldn’t get him off my mind. It figured I’d be staring at a potentially wonderful relationship with Ellion—and Chandler extremely likely to join in—but I needed more. I needed Griffin, and I believed he neededme.
Chandler came jogging out of the secure area, arms outstretched. I ran to him and was rewarded by being swept off my feet in the sexiest hug imaginable. His mouth crashed into mine with a fervor that resonated to mytoes.
He’d missed me. My heart swelled, and I clutched him to me. We’d only spent a few days together in Alaska, plus all the online talking and videoing. Throughout the past five weeks, I’d forged a bond with him, and holding him in my arms wasamazing.
My toes dragged the ground as I pulled my head away from him, and my focus landed on Ellion. I held my breath, not sure what feelings to expect from him after he’d had me to himself, body and soul, for twoweeks.
He smiled and stepped close. “Um, guys?” he whispered. “That really turned meon.”
Hell, yes. I jumped out of Chandler’s embrace and turned to look for Griffin, but Arch swept me up into a huginstead.
