He paused behind him, then leaned forward, the front of his shirt grazing Elijah’s bare back as he peeked over his shoulder. “What’re we having?”
He felt as much as heard Elijah’s soft inhale as his body quivered slightly.
Was that because of Logan’s proximity? And was it a shiver of anticipation, or was he put off by the touch?
Stop overthinking.
“Baked salmon with mango chutney and asparagus,” Elijah said, his tone steady, making Logan wonder whether he’d imagined that initial reaction.
He kept his tone light when he said, “No burgers and fries for us tonight, huh?”
“Figured I’d make something light.”
“Yeah? Big night of reading? Don’t want to overdo it?” he teased, forcing himself back a step, keeping his hands at his sides and not sliding over Elijah’s back so he could feel the heat of his skin or the play of those delectable muscles. “Do I have a minute to change?”
Elijah nodded, shoulders tense, hands paused over his preparations.
Logan took that minute and a couple more to get himself under control before pulling on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, returning to find Elijah sitting at the small kitchen table where they had most of their meals, two plates, and two glasses of wine waiting with him.
The setting alone might’ve made most men feel awkward, but Logan thought it was nice. Then again, they shared meals often, usually the three of them just like this, so it felt routine. Comfortable, even.
Keep telling yourself that.
“Did you hear from Sam today?” Elijah prompted when Logan took his seat.
“Three times.” He dragged his napkin to his lap and picked up his wineglass.
Elijah laughed. “She’s been looking forward to this for so long, but I think she spent most of her day on the phone.”
“She called you, too?”
Elijah quirked an eyebrow. “Three times.”
That sounded like Sam. If he had to guess, she was looking for details from one or both of them, and when the other didn’t offer it up, she would keep pushing.
“She did sound like she’s having fun. They’re going to a club tonight,” Elijah mentioned.
“Is it wrong that I’m constantly imaginingTheHangoverscenario whenever I think about those women in Vegas?”
“Oh, boy.” Elijah looked up, his eyes dancing with amusement. “Thanks for that. Now I’m going to imagine her waking up to a tiger in her hotel room.”
The rest of the meal remained lighthearted. The food was good, the company equally so, and thanks to a couple of glasses of wine, Logan began to relax. Mostly.
After dinner, he cleaned up while Elijah grabbed another bottle of wine and disappeared into the backyard. Logan had plenty of time to think, but he managed to keep his thoughts from roving too far. Every now and then, he would see that image of Elijah’s back muscles moving sensually as he worked at the stove, and he would hear that soft gasp he still wasn’t sure had been real.
Not for the first time, he contemplated his response to Elijah that night in Colorado. He knew that if Sam hadn’t instigated that kiss, hadn’t urged them with her wandering hands and softly spoken words, it never would’ve happened. Up until then, Logan had never had any bisexual urges. Not the way he did now. Sure, he found Elijah appealing, but his assessment was usually during the times he was watching Elijah and Sam. Had he always been turned on by Elijah? He’d honestly never really given it much thought.
Thinking too hard, that voice in his head said, forcing Logan to shove it all down.
Once he was finished with the dishes, he decided to join Elijah. It was that or go to his home office, but he knew if he did, he’d turn to work to pass the time, and work was the last thing he wanted to engage in right now.
Opting for a beer instead of wine, he grabbed one from the refrigerator before heading for the back door. He found Elijah sitting on one of the benches in the pool, his arms stretched out, his head tipped back. The underwater lights danced across his chest, drawing Logan’s attention.
Elijah Penn really was a good-looking man. Dark hair, dark eyes, and lean muscle packed on an almost-six-foot frame. Maybe Loganhadbeen attracted to him all this time, because his current assessment didn’t feel superficial. It felt … curious.
After pulling his T-shirt off and tossing it aside, Logan was quiet as he stepped down into the water, but apparently not quiet enough, because Elijah’s head lifted, his eyes opening.
“Figured you’d be in the hot tub,” Logan said, moving to the opposite side of the shallow end and taking a seat on the bench.
“A little too warm for me tonight.”
Logan knew the feeling. There was a familiar hum just under his skin, and it was amping up his body temperature. It was usually a sensation he associated with Sam’s presence, but it seemed it was there in her absence, too. At least tonight, anyway.
He settled back against the wall, stretched his feet out in front of him, the water hitting him mid-torso. He exhaled a long, slow breath, allowing himself to fully relax for the first time all day. To keep himself from ogling Elijah, he listened to the sound of the trees blowing in the gentle breeze and the soft cascade of the waterfall as it recirculated the water.
The entire time, Logan repeated the same words over in his head:Let it be. If it plays out, it plays out.
Only, every so often, he heard:Just see where it’s headed already.
That voice was coming from his dick.
