I stared at him, then pulled my phone from my back pocket and started texting.
“What are you doing?” He narrowed his eyes on me. But I didn’t answer until I heard a slight knock on the door and I headed to open it.
“You’re not the only one with tricks up your sleeve,” I said over my shoulder.
Jesse stood in the hallway, holding a pair of jeans and looking slightly amused. “He must really love you,” she muttered as she handed them over and turned to walk away.
I laughed and shut the door behind me. She had no idea.
Turning to face West I lifted the jeans and smiled. “Put these on.”
“Where did you get these?”
“Easton’s bag. You two are about the same size,” I added, holding the jeans up like a proud stylist. “Try them.”
“The last time someone dressed me, I ended up in elastic-waisted khaki shorts and a fishing shirt.”
I burst out laughing, unable to picture him in anything of the sort. That was probably especially traumatic for him, but I wasn’t asking that much.
“They’re just jeans, West. Please.”
He didn’t argue, just took the jeans from my hands and undid his belt while staring me down. I meant to turn away, I really did, but my eyes stayed locked on him as he let his pants fall. The white boxer briefs clung to every muscle in his thighs and showcased a substantial bulge from his cock, making me forget how to breathe.
He didn’t say a word. Just pulled the jeans up slowly, watching me watch him until he slid them onto his waist and I was finally able to blink. “They look great. On you. Obviously.”
“I think Easton got these at Walmart and wore them while installing a shower for me a few months ago.”
“You pay that much attention to Easton’s ass?”
West flicked a speck on the thigh. “That’s not a fade. That’s dried caulk.”
“Doesn’t matter, pretty boy,” I said, walking toward him again. “Just changing out of your suit already makes you look concert ready. But—” I paused, tugging at his shirt, “—this one’s seen better days. Looks like it’s been tucked in since breakfast.”
I started unbuttoning it slowly, giving him another chance to stop me. He didn’t. When the last button came free, I slid it off his shoulders and let it drop. I had seen him shirtless before, inside the office at Fiddlers, but the lighting in our ocean front room hit him differently. He was more lithe than Easton, and the jeans hung low, exposing the band of his underwear. His abs were cut and flexing as he moved and my brain nearly short-circuited.
He reached into his bag for the clean shirt, giving me time to turn away and collect what little chill I had left. Behind me, I heard his belt click and his shoes scuff back on. I was just about to turn around when I felt him step behind me, close enough to feel his breath on my neck.
“You happy now?” he asked, voice low and amused.
Nodding, I didn’t answer, because the truth was simply yes. Not because I didn’t like him in suits, but because now he looked real.
“Then let’s go. Everyone’s waiting downstairs.”
He pressed a hand to the small of my back as we walked to the elevator. We stood on opposite sides during the ride down. He rolled his sleeves up, slow and intentional. Then right beforethe doors opened, he reached across and grabbed my hand, pulling me into him.
Grams and Gramps stood outside the elevator. Their smiles lit up the lobby the second they saw us. “You two look ready for a good time,” Gramps said with a wink.
I leaned in closer, my palm resting on West’s chest. “My first plane ride. First concert. First time in Virginia Beach. This is gonna be an amazing night.”
West gave a soft chuckle. “I’ll make sure of it.”
“Where’re Easton and Jesse?” I asked.
“They’re coming,” Gramps said, trying not to laugh. “Got held up. Something about Easton losing his pants.”
I stifled a giggle. Whether they were teasing about the jeans West borrowed or implying Jesse literally helped Easton out of his pants, I didn’t care. The way West shifted uncomfortably next to me made the whole thing even better.
We stood chatting for a few more minutes. Grams asked about the bath, and I told her all about the eucalyptus-scented miracle I’d submerged myself in. She was just promising to try it herself when I heard my name.
