Me.
Us.
We agreed to one night, to one hook up, hand jobs only. I can’t let him get attached. He’s vulnerable, he’s fresh off a break up. And I’m not boyfriend material.
He probably needs a friend more than anything right now. Someone to lighten the mood.
I stand and pull him up from his knees. "We should wash up."
"We should." He confirms.
"It's still not breaking any rules if we give each other hand jobs in the shower." I tell him.
"I suppose you're right."
"I am," I reach down for his hand and pull him behind me towards what I hope is the bathroom but actually I don't know where I'm going. Rhys lets me lead him so I assume I'm going the right way.
Until I pull open the door and find a closet.
"Nope, that's not where we want to go." I say in a clipped, efficient tone.
"Nope, I've been in there before, it's not great." Rhys says with a quick kiss to my shoulder. The spot warms and it radiates throughout my body.
"Agreed." I turn to him and grin. "Now it's your turn, try to find the bathroom Rhys!"
***
After we shower, and simultaneously jerk each other off in rough, quick fashion, I get redressed and Rhys throws on some flannel pajama pants and a sweater.
"Very highland chic." I say when he sits down next to the fire and pulls on a pair of socks.
"Laugh all you want but I'm warm." He says as he slides his palms up and down his thighs.
"I'm not laughing, I'm admiring, I wish I had the laird's wardrobe."
"You're ridiculous." He scoffs.
"You like it."
"Are you fishing for compliments Mr. One-Night-Stand-No-Feelings?" Rhys teases.
"Not at all, just making it easier for you to admit the truth." I shrug off the part of me that wants him to like me.
"Hardly."
Liar.
I follow him out the door and down the staircase to the first floor where we walk back through the kitchen and out to the car in the back.
We get in and Rhys starts the car, a rock and roll song I vaguely recognize is on. It's fast and bluesy, and I watch Rhys's head tilt towards the speaker.
I've never noticed the little things about a bedmate before. But Rhys’s micro movements are compelling. There's a lightness and a darkness to him. A willingness to take a step forward by an immediate two step back retreat. It is fascinating to observe how both forces swirl together but never really mix.
I sit quietly in the front seat as Rhys listens to the music. He knows how to get to Granny's so I don't even need to give him directions.
This is also one of the first times, maybe the first time ever, I've been driven home from a hookup. I believe in a home ice advantage so when everyone is done, I order them rideshares and send them on their way.
The song fades and we're just a few turns from Granny's so I clear my throat. "How long are you in Scotland?"
