Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36122 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36122 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“You can drop the good boyfriend act now. Oh.” Russ started with confidence but finished with a groan as Esteban dug his fingers into his meaty shoulder.
Damn but he felt good. Strong. Solid.
“Yes, but my friendly neighbor routine doesn’t have an expiration date. Sorry. You’re stuck with me now.”
“You give all your friends massages?” Russ melted into Esteban’s touch, shifting lower in the chair.
“Yup.” Esteban wasn’t making any apologies for enjoying touch and affection. “When they need it. And this certainly qualifies. Your first time hosting a dinner party. And it was a success, despite the stressful conditions. You did great.”
Russ opened his mouth like he was about to object, then closed it, eyes drifting shut, as if he was trying to believe the praise. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.” Esteban continued the impromptu shoulder rub, settling into a cozy silence as he worked Russ’s tense muscles until they were more pliant.
Tilting his head back, Russ groaned low, a lusty sound that went straight to Esteban’s groin. It would have been so easy to lean down, steal a kiss while Russ’s eyes were still closed. But he couldn’t. Wouldn’t. Reluctantly, he took a step back.
“I’m gonna start the dishes,” he said softly. “You can keep resting.”
“Nothing doing.” Russ stretched, a ripple of toned pecs and strong shoulders that did nothing to cut the tension suddenly swirling around the room. “That was…nice. Really nice. But I’m helping.”
“Okay.”
As they cleared the dishes and put away food, Esteban tried to give him a wide berth to avoid more temptation, However, the kitchen was small, and like earlier in the day, they kept bumping into each other. Unlike those casual touches, now each brush of their bodies felt charged. He’d taken his apron off for the meal, and he almost wished it back, another layer to hide behind, as if cotton canvas might be enough to turn away his sudden lust attack.
“Do you want some turkey scraps for the cat?” Russ offered, finding a plastic baggie and filling it with some crispy skin and small turkey pieces.
“That’s sweet. And cats. Plural. There’s a second one you haven’t met yet. Keith lives under my bed, while Lance is the escape artist you know too well.”
“You named your cats after Voltron characters?”
“Hey, I can’t help who I ’ship. And, together they make one passably acceptable cat. Lance is naughty and barely eats. Keith is lazy and hides. They were already a bonded pair at the humane society. The names were just icing on the cake.”
“What made you decide to go look? Judy and my…ah…contact at the VA think I need a pet.”
“It’s okay if you say therapist. Or health-care professional. Whatever you’re comfortable with. You’re not going to shock me—all my LA friends had multiple counselors and therapists on speed dial. I saw someone myself after Mami died.”
“Oh. Yeah. Okay. Thanks.” Russ took a deep breath, one where he seemed to settle into himself. “So the counselor the VA hooked me up with thinks it could be good for me. Says a lot of veterans do well with animals. But I’m not so sure I’m cut out for taking care of something like that.”
“Oh, if ever there were someone who needed a little floor mop of a dog or maybe a finicky cat, it’s you.” Esteban had to laugh, because he’d picked up on a few things indicating Russ would be a perfect candidate for a rescue. Big heart, a little lonely, and willing to put in some work. The guy needed…something. And Esteban needed to stomp all over the part of himself that kept trying to say, “how about me?” Instead, he kept his tone light. “Come on. Just coming up with some goofy names would be good for you. Admit it.”
“I dunno. Maybe. Were your cats your therapist’s suggestion too?”
“No. I wish. Therapist came later. My ex was allergic to pets. When he left me to go back to his ex, I marched over to the humane society and came back with these two before I really thought it through. Impulse control isn’t always my strong suit.”
“Your ex left you for his ex?”
“Yup. I was the rebound relationship that lasted nearly a year before they rekindled.” He tried not to sound too bitter, but he’d been newly returned to Portland, with a sick mother, and Murray the newly divorced guy with his hipster beard and kind eyes had seemed like exactly what he’d needed. Until he wasn’t.
“That sucks.” Russ touched his shoulder, a hesitant, barely there touch, the first time he’d reached for Esteban deliberately. And suddenly, the memories of Murray all retreated, replaced with an acute awareness of Russ’s proximity.
“Anyway, I’m not so mad anymore, and I don’t regret the cats. They can be fun. If you want someone to go with you to pick one out, I’d be up for it.” He didn’t like thinking of Russ too alone. He’d make the offer for any friend, or so he tried to tell himself.