Page 21 of Brought By the Storm

Chapter Ten

Eric

A couple hours after dinner, I made up the couch for Mateo. He had apologized to me for embarrassing me in front of Stefan and Carrington, and he had even shared that they both had defended me once I had left them. He thought Carrington had seemed irate, which gave me a warped sense of pleasure. Of course, I had forgiven Mateo. He was just being himself. When all was said and done, Mateo would always have my back. I wanted to share with him how I was attracted to Carrington, but I knew he would caution me to avoid disappointment. After all, he didn’t know about Carrington’s confession.

Once Mateo was curled up on the couch, content to doze off while watching television, Stefan and Olivia bid me good-night and went upstairs to their rooms. From the way Stefan had parted with Mateo, I suspected they had concocted a middle-of-the night rendezvous. There had been a wink and a couple of knowing glances. I didn’t mind as long as they didn’t soil my upholstery if they chose the couch as their setting. The sofa was a Queen Anne reproduction that had cost me a week’s pay.

“Um, maybe I should go change first?” I suggested to Carrington. “I can leave the lights on for you in the bedroom and master bath for when you’re ready to come up.”

He nodded in agreement. “I’ll turn off all the lights down here and be up in about five minutes.”

I could tell he was as nervous as I was. No doubt, he was concerned I was going to make a move on him in bed. Awkward as it would be, I would have to assure him once he was beside me that he didn’t need to worry. He had a bigger risk of Mateo sneaking in on him than me mortifying myself by trying to be with someone who didn’t want me.

Once upstairs, I rushed through brushing my teeth and washing. Although my night-time routine was limited to cleansing my face, I scrubbed everywhere—just in case lightning were to strike. As Mateo always said, “Prepare for the unexpected to avoid regrets later.”

I was lying back on the bed, head propped up on a couple of pillows, when Carrington entered the doorway and peered my way. “Okay to enter now?”

“Yes, of course,” I responded. “Um, help yourself to whatever you need in the bathroom.”

He smiled, grabbing some garments before going into the ensuite and closing the door behind him. I was glad I had put on antiperspirant, because my nerves were shot. I took long breaths, reminding myself that nothing might happen other than exchanged pleasantries and wishing each other a good-night.

After a few torturous minutes passed, Carrington emerged, wearing a white T-shirt and a pair of clingy light-blue boxer briefs. The tight cotton on top teased me by hugging the buds of his nipples, and the fabric on the bottom clung to his long, thick cock. I tried to look down, but that just drew my eyes to his exposed, muscular legs. The calves were dusted with light brown hair and his thighs were smooth and beefy. I looked to the window, as if something very interesting were happening outside.

He walked to the bed, pulling back the covers enough to slide in. The heat from his body was instantaneous.

“You’re wearing pajamas,” he commented.

I made eye contact with him. “Huh?”

He looked apologetic. “I pulled back the covers enough to see you’re wearing pajamas. You’re not doing that because of me, are you?”

“Um, you were wearing pajamas last night. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

Carrington grinned. “To be quite honest, the pajamas were uncomfortable. I wish no offense, but even with air conditioning, your upstairs quarters are a bit stuffy. I figured you’d be okay with me dressing this way, since it’s how you dressed last evening.”

I was about to point out that my boxers had been longer and looser than what he had donned, but I didn’t want him to know I had been scrutinizing. “Oh, well, I’m sorry you weren’t comfortable.”

“It’s okay,” he said. “I just feel bad that you’re going to get hot. Why don’t you take your top off?”

I looked back to his face, wondering if he was being polite or suggestive. “Um, won’t that make you feel weird?”

He grinned. “If by weird you mean horny—maybe. I guess that would make you more uncomfortable, wouldn’t it? I’m sorry. You’re just so beautiful. Truth be known, I was hoping you would take off your shirt when Mateo was goading you earlier.”

I gulped. “You were?”

“Eric, I told you last night—I’m attracted to you. I spent all day trying to convince myself that it was a fluke. Maybe I was in some emotional state last night. But being around you today hasn’t changed anything. I’m willing to admit it to myself now.” His blue eyes were like lasers on me, and I wasn’t sure I could withstand the onslaught. “If you don’t feel that way about me, I understand. I’ll close my eyes, be a perfect gentleman—a disappointed gentleman—who will not bring it up again. I know you have a specific type in mind when it comes to potential suitors.”

I groaned. “Mateo… Is that what he said? Listen, I just don’t want a guy who comes up to me and starts grabbing, wanting to get off on me. I want to like them first. I never thought it would take so long to find a man that I liked enough to want more from them.” He nodded, but I could tell he missed the meaning of my words. “And now I found one.”

He beamed. “Do you mean me?”

Carrington seemed hopeful, so I felt emboldened to be honest and a bit playful. “Yes, despite your ridiculous little tantrum in the grocery store. I thought, ‘too bad that cute guy is such a diva’.”

He didn’t stop smiling. “I was a prima donna. I turned around and you were there, discombobulating me with your kindness and warmth. I thought, ‘how dare he try to assuage my outrage!’”

I laughed. “Sorry about that. I’ll know next time to let you have your hissy fit.”

He chuckled in return. “Please do. I’m rather fond of my tantrums. People jump to attention when I have them.”