I laugh. "No it isn't!"
"Are you expecting some department store assistant to post a video saying "oh em gee look at how disgusting Rhys Reid is, he has one drop of a beer on the chest of his shirt."
His whiny, affected voice makes me laugh. "No. It's just, well I’m just used to being put together when I’m with people."
"Even at home?" Duncan fills in the blank.
"When I have company, yeah." I shrug. I glance around my home, and when I’m here alone I relax, unwind, but I’ve grown used to being put together. I don’t think my last relationship helped.
I turn towards the sink to finish dabbing at the spot.
"Was your ex ever here?" Duncan asks as he glances around the open concept kitchen, dining, and living room space.
"Yeah, a few times." I admit as I lead the way back outside. I concentrate on the grill so I don’t have to face Duncan for this conversation.
"What rooms did you fuck in?" Duncan asks and I whip around to look at him because I was not expecting that question.
"The bedroom." Where else?
"No sofa sex? Or, barn sex?"
"No."
"Holy crackers." Duncan says and I shake my head to laugh at his non-cursing. "I know exactly how we’re going to spend the next two days."
"How’s that?"
"We’re going to fuck in every single room." I turn to him and he’s cracking his knuckles.
"You’re ridiculous." We can’t do that. Right?
"No, I’m a genius. Your house fucks Rhys. Like it’s hot. You own property, a lot of it, and you don’t have neighbors to hear you. Not that I’ve ever worried about my neighbors hearing me but still."
I continue concentrating on the food as I start to envision Duncan and I throughout my house.
"What’s your favorite room?" He asks as I hear him settle back into the chaise lounge on the edge of the pool.
"Probably the music room, or here, the patio by the pool."
"How do you feel about swimming after meals?"
I laugh as I flip the steaks.
"I feel fine about it."
"Perfect." Duncan says and I glance over to see his feet crossed at the ankles, his fingers interlocked behind his head. He looks comfortable, and satisfied. And I like having him in my space.
"Where are you going to live in D.C.?" He asks after a few beats.
"I haven’t decided yet. Zara was pulling together some places for me to pick from."
He’s quiet and I notice one of his feet start to bounce a bit.
"And you’re going to be busy during the day?"
I furrow my eyebrows at him, why is he asking? "Yeah, mid-morning until early evenings Monday through Friday. I’ll be running a few classes and then working with students after school."
"That works."
