Page 75 of The Tartan Thesis

He rolls his eyes and enters the room, his shoulder grazing my bare chest as he passes. The contact sends a quiet jolt through me, but he doesn’t seem bothered in the slightest.

I run through my nighttime routine at the sink while Torin turns the shower back on and brushes his teeth. I’m pleased to see him openly checking out my body in the mirror, a stark contrast from just a few nights ago when he avoided looking at me altogether.

He spits into the sink, rinses, and catches my reflection as I smooth moisturizer across my neck and face.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing.” He shrugs. “It just seems like it takes a lot of work to be pretty.”

“Whereas you look that good without all this crap,” I say, color immediately rising in his cheeks. Even after all that happened tonight, he still doesn’t realize just how hot I think he is.

I step toward him. He stands firm as we come toe-to-toe, the warm air from the shower already fogging the mirror behind him. His breath catches as my hands go to his waist and pull him toward me. Then his hands are on my bare chest, and I can only hope the towel barely hanging onto my hips stays up with the things that are happening below my waistline.

With one hand on his neck, I lean forward and kiss him again. I hold him close, my mouth lingering against his like I’m still proving to both of us that this is real. He moans, almost a whimper, and the heat in the bathroom spikes. It takes everything in me to break our contact. When I do, he puts his forehead to mine, and we stand there for another minute holding each other.

He gives me another kiss, then one more, softer this time, and steps back. My hands catch the towel just in time to keep it wrapped around me. This feels like my cue.

I head for the door while I still have the self-discipline to leave. I turn back to close it, and the smoldering look in his eyes sends a fresh wave of heat straight through me.

“Goodnight, Beau,” he says.

“Goodnight, Torin.”

I close the door and head to my room. I have to adjust myself more than usual to get comfortable in my boxers, the feel of Torin against me still strong in my mind.

I lie back against the cool sheets and listen to the shower running, my heartbeat skyrocketing, as I let my imagination run wild. Torin standing under the spray. Water cascading down his shoulders, over his chest. His head tipped back, eyes closed, dark hair damp at his temples.

I reach into my bag and pull out a small bottle of lube, needing relief.

Imagining him slipping into my room, the mattress dipping as he climbs into bed beside me, his mouth finding mine, his body pressed against me, heat and skin, as we… my free hand grips the sheets, the tension coiling higher. It doesn’t take long for me to erupt, and sheer force of will is all that keeps me from shouting as I fly over the edge.

I lie there for a moment catching my breath, the cool air brushing over my skin, staring up at the ceiling while the shower continues to run on the other side of the wall. The fantasy fades, but my hunger for Torin still burns. I wish he’d come to my room, but I know he won’t. Not with his family in the house.

But maybe when we get back to Edinburgh… maybe I can take him into my room and show him just how beautiful he is.

Over and over and over.

23

Torin

Hogmanay (hog-muh-nee)

Translation: New Year’s Eve

Usage: To refer to one of the biggest celebrations in Scotland, often with fire, food, ceilidhs, and gifts

“Please tell me you’re wearing something under that kilt.”

I turn my head to see Freya standing a few meters away. It’s not polite to ask that question, but given that I’m standing on a ladder, she has good reason to check before approaching.

“Aye,” I say. “I knew your crew needed help stringing up the last of the fairy lights in the rafters, so I made sure nothing would be hanging out before making the climb.”

“Good,” she says, coming to hold the ladder while I return to my task. “But I’m sure you’ll want to be traditional when you’re playing the pipes later.”

I hum noncommittally.

“Maybe Beau can take your pants off for you.”