His proximity blurring the already soft boundaries of this friends-with-benefits arrangement.
A closed lipped kiss while cooking dinner is boyfriend behavior.
But Duncan won’t.
And, I can’t.
Right?
Chapter twenty-three
Duncan
Is this an ass-less chaps situation?
Ididnotthinkthis through.
Which to be fair isn’t what I’m known for.
I’m more of an impulsive, ‘fuck it’ kind of guy.
But, I need to brush my teeth.
Rhys and I enjoyed dinner out on the patio, I washed the dishes and made him dry and put everything away. We made out against the kitchen counter for a while and when Rhys whispered "come to bed" against the fragile skin under my ear, every hair on my very hairy body stood on end.
And now, we have to get ready for bed.
Together.
I take my flipper out at night. I brush it clean, put it in a little cleaning solution, and brush the rest of my teeth and settle in.
He’s going to see it. See me without my teeth.
I also have the problem of never having slept with someone before.
I’ve fucked, a lot, but I’ve never fallen asleep next to someone in the same bed. I’ve shared hotel rooms with my teammates, I’ve fallen asleep on planes, and buses, and on their sofas.
Maybe coming to Nashville was a huge mistake.
"Duncan? You alright?" Rhys asks as he steps into the bathroom. He’s already down to just his boxers and I know something is seriously wrong with me because my anxiety over my teeth and sleeping arrangements is blocking me from touching his firm body.
"Yep. Fine."
"Did you forget a toothbrush or something? I probably have an extra somewhere." Rhys starts to open drawers in his large and beautifully designed bathroom.
"No, I have it, but umm." Rhys stops searching and looks up at me. "Don’t laugh at me."
"I’d never." And dammit if his eyes don’t look anything but sincere.
I take longer than necessary to adjust my glasses and then I open my mouth but no words come out.
So instead I use my tongue to flip my front teeth out.
"The fuck?!" Rhys startles back.
Slowly I pull the retainer-like device out of my mouth with my pointer and thumb, pinky popped, and turn to the sink where I start to rinse it off.
Rhys swallows loudly. "Why are you holding your teeth?"
