Before, I couldn't tell him why. Now? Well, we both knew what kept bringing me back to him, which was precisely what he was trying to rub my nose in without being obvious. Even he was at least conscious that it wouldn't be good to broadcast what was going on between us, especially with total strangers. It was nice to know he had some self-control and shame, but really, it was nice to know that I probably wasn't the only one struggling to deal with the reality of what we were doing.
I jerked when a blond head popped up, Milo grinning as he leaned on his brother. "So, we all know that those two are fucking, right?"
"That is, in fact, known," Mason said with a shake of his head. "And it's nice to see you've recovered from your dire injury so that you can join the gossip circle."
"I'm not participating in any gossip," I pointed out before either of them got the wrong idea.
"Of course, of course," Milo said brightly, and then his smile took on a tone that set alarm bells off in my head as he glanced between Mason and me. "But what Ireallywant to know is...how long have you two been fucking?"
It felt like the bottom of my stomach disappeared and dropped to my toes. It wasn't a question on Milo's part, he had said it with the complete confidence of someone prepared to present a file on why he was right. It was like getting slapped in the face with an icy hand, and I could only stare at him, my lips parting in surprise as I went rigid, wondering what we were going to do to make sure the mess didn't spill over into the rest of our lives.
Mason blinked and turned his head to look over at his brother. “Milo?"
"Yesssss?"
"Have you been getting into Dom's romance books again?"
"I...what does that matter?"
"Because real life isn't a book. Two men who can barely stand each other aren't automatically fucking just because you want it to be so."
"Oh, c'mon," Milo complained, gesturing between us. "Two guys who are....well, one is smoking hot and the other is my brother. A history between them, sure, it's a bad history, and it's got a lot of blood and fighting, but a history! Suddenly spending all this time together, managing to bicker but without immediately turning it into a fight."
"Smoking hot?" I wondered aloud.
"I'm thankful that from the context, he was talking about you," Mason said with an arched brow.
"Well, yeah, of course I was talking about him. Why would I mention you like that?"
"I don't know, man. You and Eli have always had this weird thing between you, so forgive me if I get a little worried sometimes."
"Oh fuck off!" Milo huffed, his good mood disappearing in a flash. "It's not like that and you know it!"
"Mmm," Mason hummed. "Hey, Milo?"
"What?” his brother snapped.
"Youreallyshould have learned your lesson with Eli."
"Huh?"
I watched as Mason stepped back, leaving one foot in front of Milo's, and giving his shoulder a shove, sending the blond flying to the ground in a crumpled heap again. “Because really, it's just too easy at this point."
I couldn't help but let out a bark of laughter. “Jesus, you're both morons."
"Clearly it’s in the blood," Mason said as Milo twisted to get up, somehow managing to tangle his limbs. "Now let's get out of here before he actually gets up and decides to do something else incredibly intelligent."
"I don't need a babysitter," I repeated, glaring at him.
"Mmm, fine. I'm going to go back to my room then," he said quietly, shrugging as he turned back toward the stairs. I couldn't prove that he had purposefully turned away, so his ass would be facing me dead on as he mounted the stairs. Just like I couldn't prove he had been doing it for the express purpose of making sure his ass moved from side to side. What I knew full well was that it was exactly the sort of thing he would do, knowing my eyes would find their way to his ass as if I were that goddamn easy to manipulate.
I stomped up the stairs after him. “How long are Milo and Elijah in the hotel for?"
"Mmm, about a week. They're supposed to go on some road trip or something at the end of the week. Arlo should be intomorrow to see them and Marcus, since it's been a little while," Mason said as he climbed the stairs and made for the elevator. Which was a strange path to take, considering there were perfectly good elevators on the main floor, but I had learned at least a little not to question when he did something strange or nonsensical. If only because the answer would usually be tailored to get under my skin.
The doors slid open, and I stepped in after him, glancing up at the camera. "Right."
"Relax," Mason said with a chuckle. "The ones in the elevator are the least watched in the whole hotel. Even then, the security guy is mostly for show while he sits in the office pretending he's not watching porn all day and playing phone games. The only time anyone bothers with the recordings is if something happens."
