Page 84 of Seale the Deal

It’s not like I’ve never seen a muscular man before, I babble. If anything, it’s kind of boring, I’ve seen it so much. It’s just that usually there’s glass between me and the body. Like, you know, the TV screen.

Captain Skinny-Dick didn’t necessarily have a dad bod, but he definitely wasn’t Michaelangelo-level sculpted like Ruger.

Can we go back to what you think I look like? Ruger asks, eyes teasing.

I groan. Can you please put a shirt on?

Is my chest bothering you?

Right now? You in general are bothering me.

Should I apologize?

I sigh. Your sister is taking a bath. Can I just hang here for a bit? Clothes not optional.

He chuckles and steps aside, letting me in. His room is laid out like ours, just mirrored.

Bold choice picking the bed closest to the door, I say, climbing onto the already rumpled sheets.

Why’s that?

First one to get killed, I say, deadpan.

Ruger pulls on a T-shirt. It’s tight, grey, and not helping. He leans against the TV stand. I’m the only one in the room, so I’d be the only one getting killed regardless.

I open my mouth to reply, but all thought vanishes when I look at him again. The shirt clings in all the right places.

Ruger crosses his arms. I thought we were hanging out fully clothed.

Aren’t we?

Ruger points at me. Full transparency—your nipples are visible. Pun intended.

I gasp and wrap my arms around myself. Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Why didn’t Remi tell me?

He chuckles and tosses me a sweater from his suitcase.

I tug it on quickly. Bad move. Being surrounded by Ruger’s scent seems to be making my nipples more prominent, and I can see their peaks through his thick sweater.

If he notices, he doesn’t say anything.

Silence falls. He drums his fingers on the TV stand. I bite my bottom lip.

So, what brings you across the hall? Ruger asks.

My brain is blank.

I know I had a reason, but now that I’m here with him, I realize that the reason is just that I want to be around him.

Um… Think, Wrenley, think. No! Not about his abs! Plans! I say so loudly Ruger startles a little.

Plans?

Yeah, like what are we going to do while Remi works? I say. I bite my lower lip, regretting how enthusiastic that came out.

Ruger smiles. I have some ideas.

Care to share them? I’ve heard to avoid hiking with you.