He knew he wasn’t going to roll off Eli, but still he felt disgust with himself when he let the man pull him even more snugly against him. “I’m telling Nathaniel you’re an oath breakerand a scoundrel.”
“Okay.”
“I really will. I’m not bluffing.”
Eli kissed the top of his head. “I know. Please continue to look after his interests.”
He wasn’t sure if Eli knew the unconstrained power of those kisses, but he couldn’t help feeling manipulated anyway. He’d never experienced anything softer or warmer than Eli’s mouth.
“I hope you’re not going on the assumption that my feelings will change. I know you think I’m a kid, but this isn’t first-love bullshit. You won’t be able to wait it out.”
Eli’s laugh was a pleasant rumble in his chest. “I should hope not. I’ll cry for weeks the day you stop blushing in the shower.”
He pushed his face just that little bit closer to Eli’s neck. “As if that could happen.”
He didn’t know when he fell asleep, but he was surprised to wake. He was certain he’d lie there all night stewing in bitter heartbreak, but he slept surprisingly deeply and when he opened his eyes, the lights were already on, and people were moving about.
Eli’s eyes were twinkling at him.
He jerked away and fell off the man’s shoulder. The man’s delighted laugh was the backdrop for his embarrassment. “I don’t know why I call you puppy when you really act like a startled kitten most of the time.”
“You shouldn’t be comparing me to animals in the first place, you goddamn cheater.”
“Your affectionate nicknames need work.”
“Shut up. I’m calling Nathaniel right now.”
“But then all the hot water will be gone by the time we get back.”
“Big Tom’s right. Youarea princess.”
“Pretty princess. Don’t sell me short.”
It was all too easy. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but the acceptance was too much. It caused him to react with near-violence when Eli followed him into his shower stall.
“What thefuck, Thompson!”
“Are we not doing this anymore?”
“Get out!”
“But when you stare at my dick, it’s so good for my self-esteem.”
“Nobody’s looking at your social security dick.”
“Shit, if you weren’t already in prison, I’ll call the cops for geriatric abuse.”
He found his mouth twitching again. God, but he loved this man. Was so in love he had to press his hands over his face and remind himself that he was heartbroken. It was only then, with the distraction of Eli’s beauty safely out of sight, that he remembered.
“Wait—Eli!”
Eli poked his head out from his stall. “Forget your soap?”
He grabbed his arm, pulled him close, and dropped his voice. “You can’t leave. I forgot. We’re married.”
“You forgot our quarter year anniversary too. You’re a terrible husband.”
“Our quarter year—? Forget the nonsense. I mean you need to be in here with me.”
