Nate’s mouth made a noise that might have been agreement if it could’ve found a brain cell capable of conveying it.
After a moment Aubrey groaned, pulled off the condom, and snagged another of the washcloths from the bed. Nate grabbed one too, wondering if he couldn’t ameliorate some of the damage. He felt bad for the hotel cleaning staff.
“I think traditionally this is the part where I kick you out.” Nate fought the urge to giggle into the pillow, but a snicker sneaked out. “But considering the conditions, I’m okay with breaking protocol for one night.”
“And my mom said my philandering would never get me anywhere.” Aubrey flung a cloth toward the washroom.
“I reserve the right to kick you out of bed for snoring, though.” With effort, Nate dragged himself into the bathroom. Just a quick shower, and then he could crash. But when he returned, suddenly self-conscious enough that he’d put on the track pants he brought for working out, Aubrey was sitting up in bed watchingSports Nightwith a room service tray.
“I worked up an appetite,” he said sheepishly. “My treat. Got you the salmon, but if you’d rather the tenderloin, I’ll trade.”
Nate’s stomach growled on cue. Apparently a few dates and fries hadn’t been enough for him either. “Salmon sounds great.”
It was odd to eat dinner in bed next to a guy who’d just fucked his brains out… at first. It felt like a date gone backward. Then Aubrey said something stupid about the show and that feeling disappeared—and Nate realized that the tension he’d been carrying in his shoulders for God knew how long had left too.
Maybe there was something to this hookup thing after all.
Chapter Eight
AUBREY WASN’Tthe last person on the plane—the gate agent was still sorting out the stand-bys when he dashed down the jetway—but most everyone was seated by the time he slid into his aisle seat, almost directly across from Nate.
Nate, who’d sneaked out of the room that morning while Aubrey showered.
Aubrey had spent the intervening time trying to decide what he’d say to Nate when he saw him—something flirty and witty, hopefully—and also what the hell he was going to do about sleeping with a coworker who, it turned out, was his perfect match in every way and definitely wasn’t looking for a relationship.
He didn’t get the chance to say boo to Nate, though, because while Aubrey was stowing his bag under the seat in front of him, Kelly appeared at Nate’s side.
“Check this out.” Kelly leaned over to show Nate something on her phone. “Do you remember him from the wedding? I told him about you.”
Aubrey caught himself before he leaned forward like a creeper, but he adjusted his toque so he could overhear more easily.
“He’s a doctor,” Kelly wheedled. “And a cutie. Single. Nice guy. Looking for someone nice, stable. Sound like anyone you know? Anyway, maybe have coffee with him?”
“Um.”
Aubrey held his breath, waiting for Nate’s response.
“He sounds great,” Nate said.
Something in Aubrey’s gut lurched. It wasn’t like he hadn’t known this was coming ever since he realized Nate was actually single. Nate was hot and kind and had a good job. He was never going to stay single for long. Even if he did, he’d just expressed his interest in pickup culture—an interest Aubrey had very much used to his advantage last night.
He had no right to feel disappointed, let alone… whatever else he was feeling that he didn’t want to name… because Nate was looking to expand his repertoire beyond just Aubrey.
“I’ll let him know,” Kelly said brightly. Then she ruffled Nate’s hair. “Oh, hi, Aubrey,” she added as she headed back to her seat. The gesture made Aubrey feel like an afterthought. Definitely one for the notebook.
At least he knew where he stood with Nate. Clearly he wasn’t relationship material. He’d been foolish to even entertain the idea.
He wondered if Nate would come sniffing around for another go if Dr. Nice Guy had more in the bank than in the tank.
If he did, Aubrey would—he would—
Aubrey wanted to believe that he’d tell Nate where to stick it, but if he were being honest with himself, the problem was Aubrey knew exactly where he wanted to stick it, and if Nate gave him another opening, Aubrey would take it.
At least he had something new to work on in therapy.
NATE GRIMACEDat the grinning model on the cover of the in-flight magazine as if it were her fault Kelly was getting all up in his business when he was still feeling the effects of onespecificcoworker getting all up in hisbusiness.
Nate shifted in his seat. He definitely could still feel that, and frankly, if it weren’t for the fact that he might embarrass himself, he’d much rather reminisce about last night than contemplate meeting Kelly’s cousin for coffee.
