Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

Brooks

Skylar drove his convertible up and around a hill toward the wealthy vacation homes that peppered the outreaches of Swallow Cove. Some were located closer to the water, with stairways to private docks, while others were perched toward the top of the hill, overlooking the lake from above.

"This is it."

Skylar turned onto a gravel drive on the left that led up to a sprawling two-story…mansion. My mind searched for another word, but there really wasn't one. It was wide enough that the porch had four pillars, and as Skylar pulled around to the garage, I spotted a pool as well.

I snorted involuntarily. I'd never understand why rich folks bought a lake house and then put in a swimming pool.

"My dad had it custom-built, and it's a bit much," Skylar said with a sheepish smile.

It was the first smile I'd seen on his face since we started this drive. He'd been tense all the way here.

"It beats a stockroom."

"I don't know. It was a pretty nice stockroom." Skylar gazed out the windshield, eyes darting every direction. "I don't see any sign of Blaize's car. He's probably gone."

"Well, let's go see."

I opened my door and got out. I retrieved my duffel from the back seat and rounded the car. But Skylar still sat in the driver's seat.

It was a convertible, so he wasn't any safer in the car than out. I paused by his door. "You want to wait here?"

Skylar shook his head. "I was just making sure I didn't see anything out of place." He frowned. "My zinnias look trampled by the front window."

I crossed the lawn to take a closer look, and sure enough, there were fingerprint smudges on the window too. I didn't sense anyone around, though. The swallows that nested in these parts were singing happily and the wind rustled the vibrant red leaves the decorative Crape Myrtle tree. Otherwise, all was quiet.

Skylar got out of the car, and I joined him on the porch. "I think he's gone."

There was no sense in pointing out his ex had tried to peek in his windows. Skylar was freaked out enough already.

"Right." He took a breath. "I knew he would be. I'm being paranoid."

"I'll have a look around anyway."

I didn't doubt the house was empty, except for Sky's cat, but I wanted him to feel safe.

"Thank you."

Skylar punched in the code on the entry pad, and I went in ahead of him. The front door opened into a tiled foyer that then branched off to what looked like a small living room and then a much larger one. The walls were cream-colored, and there was a beachy vibe to the decor. If it weren't for the massive brick fireplace, vaulted ceilings, and tall windows, you might mistake it for an ordinary lake house and not a mansion.

"The bedrooms are down that hall." Skylar pointed toward the back of the larger living room. "The dining room, kitchen nook, and kitchen are all the other way."

A small meow came from the direction of the kitchen.

"Freddy must be hungry."

I followed Skylar toward the kitchen, wanting to check the space he was in before looking through the rest of the house. A black cat with white splotches covering his nose, mouth, and chest around the corner, saw me, and dashed off.

"Whoops. Think I scared him."

Skylar nodded. "He's a little skittish, but he warms up to people. Most people. He never would trust my ex."

"Smart kitty."

"Yeah, I don't trust myself, but I trust him. I'll never again keep anyone around who can't win over my Freddy."

"Well, it must be safe enough in here if Freddy is hanging around," I said. "I'll go have a quick look at the rest of the house."

"You don't have to do a search like you're a bodyguard or something. Once I charge my phone, I can go over the security footage, but I'm sure he's gone."

He grabbed a can of cat food and bent over to dump it into a bowl for Freddy, and I could see a strap of lace above his waistband.

Fuck me, but that been a hell of a surprise. Skylar wore lacy, silky things as if he were made for them. He had such a long, willowy body, and even without the curves that attracted me to women, there was something beautiful about the way that lingerie accented his broad shoulders and sharp collar bones and hips.

I cleared my throat. My skin was too hot and tight, like I wanted to strip down and…rub it against something.

Not Skylar. He doesn't need that, and neither do you.

"I'll just take a quick tour anyway," I said, tearing my gaze from him.

"Let me show you where you can sleep," he said. "There's an attached bathroom if you want to take a shower. I'd like to clean up a bit before we go back to the bar."

Skylar in the shower. Just the image I needed. A confusing image, since I wasn't accustomed to picturing other men naked.

"Yeah, sounds good."

Skylar led me out of the kitchen, through the formal dining room and living room to the hallway that led to the other side of the house.

I opened each door we passed and took a cursory look. There were two bedrooms and an office before Skylar stopped. "This one is you."

I opened the door to a bedroom slightly larger than the others. I crossed the carpet and tossed my duffel onto the queen-size bed, then rejoined Skylar at the doorway.

"Looks great. Let me check your room before you shower."

He nodded and went to the next door, opening it on a spacious master.

"Is this the largest room in the house?"

"No, there's a suite on the second floor that my parents use."

I whistled low. "Big house."

"Very big for one person," he said with a fragile smile.

"Must get lonely, being here alone."

He lifted a shoulder. "Sometimes it's even lonelier when you're with the wrong person."

The honesty of his words troubled me. This ex had to be a real piece of work.

I glanced around his room, taking in the meticulously made bed, the wide dresser on one wall. The only sign he lived here was a discarded shirt lying across the foot of the bed.

I peeked into the bathroom, impressed by the larger shower and soaker tub.

"All right, I'll leave you to shower. I'll be right next door if you need anything." I checked my phone. "If we have time, I'd like to swing by and see my grandmother before the pub opens."

"Of course. I'll hurry."

"No, no. Take your time. We've got an hour."

"Okay."

I lingered for a moment, struggling to leave even though I'd just be next door. A desire swelled in me to tug him into my arms, to feel him pressed against me like I had last night when I comforted him.

But Skylar was already turning toward the bathroom, his hands going up to his shirt buttons, and regardless of the weird longing in my chest, I couldn't stand here and watch him strip like some sort of creep.

I went next door and into a bathroom nearly as luxurious as his. I turned on the shower and stripped down, intending to wash up quickly. But as soon as the hot water slicked my skin, my cock hardened fully.

I tried to resist, but the thought of Skylar next door, just as naked and slippery as me, made me throb.

I wrapped my hand around my cock, biting my bottom lip to hold in the moan that wanted to escape as pleasure shot through me. It had been too long since I got laid.

Way, way too long.

Because I'd never been hard for a man before.

I shut down my thoughts and stroked, falling into the physical pleasure of release, but I couldn't quite banish the image of Skylar, dressed in red-and-black lace, as I came against the tiled wall.

I slapped my free hand against the glass door, needing to brace myself as my legs weakened.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

This wasn't happening.

Skylar needed a man he could trust. He needed a friend. He didn't need someone turned on by his pretty face, his perfectly shaped lips, or his tight body encased in silk and lace.

I'd have to keep this guilty little secret to myself. Because no matter how attracted I was to a man for the first time, I wasn't about to let Skylar down.

I turned off the shower and dried with the fluffiest fucking towel I'd ever had the pleasure of rubbing over my poor ass. At least with the orgasm out of the way, I was more settled in my skin.

I got fresh clothes from my duffel, did a quick shave to dial down the scruff to stubble, and ventured back out into the hall. Skylar's door was still shut, and I could hear the faint sound of a blow-dryer, so I headed back toward the kitchen, my stomach grumbling for food.

I could make breakfast for us both while Skylar finished up. I was no Vera, but I could handle French toast and scrambled eggs. I stepped through the doorway, and Freddy dashed past me, a black-and-white blur in the corner of my eye.

I abandoned my plan to cook and searched the cabinet where Skylar had gotten the cat food earlier. If Skylar needed his cat to like someone before he could fully trust him, I needed to win over the cute little fur ball.

I grabbed some treats and followed him into the smaller living room—or parlor?—whatever it was called.

"Kitty, kitty?" I crooned, shaking the bag.

I received a warning mrrow for my trouble. I opened the bag and shook a couple of treats into my palm, then squatted down and held out my hand.

"I've got some yummy treats for you…"

Mrrrowww.

He sounded even more pissed. This might be harder than I expected.

I lowered myself onto my stomach, lying flat on the ground with my arm extended. Amber eyes glowed at me from under the love seat.

I clicked my tongue and kept my voice soft. "You know you want it, Freddy."

His ear twitched.

Was that good or bad?

I wiggled forward on my stomach, and his ears went flat. Okay, that couldn't be good.

Maybe Freddy was a bit like Skylar, and a hands-off approach was called for. I laid my head on my bicep and stilled, waiting for Freddy to make the first move.

The carpet was cushy enough to be a bed, and I closed my eyes, letting myself drift. The night on the floor hadn't been my worst, but I'd woken periodically through the night, aware I wasn't in my bed.

It wasn't the most restful sleep I'd ever had.

"You really like the floor, huh?"

My eyes snapped open just as a cold nose pressed against my palm. Freddy scooped up the treats and scampered away.

"What are you doing?" Skylar asked with a laugh.

I sat up, trying to look like someone who hadn't just fallen asleep on his floor. "Trying to make friends with Freddy."

"Oh." He sounded pleased, so I'd made the right move. "Sorry he's so standoffish. He'll come around."

"You said you trusted his judgment more than your own. I just want you both to be at ease with me."

Skylar looked at me with a slightly confused expression. "You're really—"

My stomach chose that moment to growl loudly.

"Hungry," he said, lips twitching.

"Yeah, sorry." I rubbed the back of my neck. "I was going to cook breakfast for us, but I got sidetracked trying to woo your cat."

Skylar smiled. "That's all right. I don't have many groceries, anyway. How about we hit the coffeeshop?"

"Sounds good. Grandma will want her Spit-roasted Blonde."

"I'll brace myself for second-hand embarrassment. Danny doesn't hold back."

"No, he doesn't," I said with a grin. "But I've never left his shop with anything but a smile."

Skylar's smile faded. "What if…"

"We see your ex?"

He nodded, nibbling on his full bottom lip.

I drew a breath. "Then I'm with you, and I'm your boyfriend, remember? If we see him, we'll just act the part."

He looked surprised. "You're okay with that?"

I shrugged, trying not give away just how okay I was with the idea of being close to Skylar. "Sure, why not? I've already seen you in your lingerie."

I meant it as a tease, but Skylar tensed up.

"Hey, that was meant to be a compliment, but if it bothers you, I won't bring it up again."

"No, it's just…" He swallowed. "Not everyone likes it. It was too femme for Blaize, but I guess that's why you like it, huh? It makes you think of a woman?"

I scoffed and rose to my feet. "No, Skylar. Seeing you in lingerie did not make me think of a woman at all. It looked good on you. On your body, which, uh, is not at all female."

"Oh my god, you're blushing."

"No, I'm not," I lied, rubbing at my stubbled jaw, trying to erase the heat. "I'm sorry I brought it up, though. I don't want you to feel weird."

"No, it's okay. I'm not embarrassed by it. I just wasn't sure what you really thought about it. This…helps." He gave a little laugh. "Are you sure you can handle boyfriend PDA though, if this gets you flustered?"

With a little growl of frustration, I reached for his hand and tugged him closer, then slipped my arm over his shoulder. He fit against me perfectly.

"I can handle anything you need," I said into his ear.

Damn, but I wanted to tilt his chin up and show him just how much PDA I could handle. But even if Skylar was attracted to me too, I didn't want to cross any boundaries.

I was playing a part so that he would feel safe. Nothing more.

Skylar slowly sank in against my side, relaxing under my arm. Tentatively, he placed a hand on my stomach, sending tingling warmth through me.

"Okay, yeah," he said. "We can do this."

I squeezed him against my side. "Damn right. Your ex won't know what hit him."

Skylar looked over, his blue eyes meeting mine. My heart kicked, and damn, I didn't know what had hit me either.

But that wasn't something Skylar needed to know, so I reluctantly stepped away and turned for the door. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be," he agreed.