Page 67 of All Tied Up

“You’re no fun. And I don’t actually need any help. This is your vacation. You should be vacationing.”

Neil shrugged. “Maybe I could keep you company then?”

Jamie’s heart fluttered. Something about that was stepping close to that giddy nervousness he felt whenever Neil looked at him.

It hit him right then why it was. Usually any temporary playmates were excited about playing with Jamie as the bonus add-on. It was always Daddy who was the main goal, and Jamie was kind of the path to get there. Jamie just assumed that was normal.

Neil, though, had seemed just as attracted to Jamie from the start.

So if Neil was here now, maybe he did like him.

“It’s going to be boring,” Jamie warned.

“I can’t imagine anything with you is boring,” Neil countered. “You can put me to work.”

Well, if that was really how Neil wanted to spend his day, Jamie wouldn’t object.

Jamie showed him how to check the stones to see if any were loose, scrape on some cement, and place them again. “That’s about all there is to it. But are you sure you want to spend your vacation like this? You could be hiking or, I dunno, reading a book in the sunshine. Napping. Whatever it is you like to do.”

Neil shook his head. “Believe it or not, after all the time I spend in my office, being out here and doing something useful with my hands is a vacation. I can hear the birds singing. The sun feels good on my shoulders.” He drew in a deep breath, soaking in the crisp air. “And, you know, you’re here.” He glanced at Jamie and then quickly looked back at the stone he was working on.

The little flutter in Jamie’s heart squeezed double. That was quiet, reserved Neil practically flirting with him.

“Well, I was just thinking the same thing. I love being outdoors. And just a few minutes ago I was thinking about how sexy you looked when Daddy was spanking your ass…”

“Jamie!” Neil looked around at the empty path, but he was grinning. “Are you always like this?”

“Always. I mean, I am with Daddy. And when I can get away with it. Not with most customers at the lodge, of course.”

“No, I can see how professional you are with your work. I had no idea how much of the upkeep on the lodge you and Sebastian did yourselves, though. I mean, I would have thought you’d have landscapers for this.” Neil stood and grabbed the wagon handle, pulling it down a few more yards and leaving a spot for Jamie.

“Ha! If there’s anything that we can learn to do ourselves, believe me, I’ve YouTubed the hell out of it. Landscaping, repairs, painting, plumbing… Don’t get me started on how many pieces of jewelry I’ve rescued from the sinks here.”

“I bet. I dropped a cufflink down my bathroom sink probably five years ago, and I think it’s still there. I mean, unless it’s made its way to the municipal water supply and is living out its adventurous life at the bottom of the river.”

Jamie chuckled. Neil was funny when he was relaxed. “Nope. It’s still there. I could show you how to get it out if you like.”

“Hmmm… maybe. I think I lost the other one so I don’t really want it back, but I’d love to know what to do.”

They chatted about plumbing and the few small home repair projects Neil had attempted compared to the wealth of useful and sometimes obscure techniques Jamie had picked up.

“Does Sebastian do all of this, too?” Neil asked, gesturing vaguely at the wagon full of supplies. “Or is this your thing?”

“Oh, it’s all me. Daddy’s job is calling me to fix it, and stepping in when I get in over my head to call the professionals. He likes the routine of the same jobs every day. Folding laundry, making beds, cooking, all of that domestic homemaker stuff. He’s good at it. You can see how he loves knowing that all the guests have a beautifully clean room and a delicious breakfast to start the day.”

“Yeah, I can see that.”

“I get bored with that stuff after about ten minutes.”

“Yeah, I can see that, too.” Neil’s eyes sparkled.

“But I love taking on new projects. I like learning new things and working things out physically.”

“You’re really the perfect couple, aren’t you?” Neil’s eyes were soft and dreamy as he watched Jamie slather cement.

What was that gooey look for? Because the two of them were some idealized version of what Neil wanted with someone else? Or because Neil liked them?

“I mean, I guess I didn’t think of it that way. But it works pretty well for us.”