“Dinner. Now sit,” she repeated as she carried one of the bowls over to the table and returned to retrieve the other.
“Where’s Dad?” Ethan asked as he stood beside one of the chairs at the table, obviously watching to see what she would do next.
“He wanted to eat in the living room, so I’m taking his food to him. Now sit down, you don’t want your food to get cold.”
With that, Lorrie pretended to be busy as she made Curtis a bowl of stew, along with retrieving a sleeve of crackers from the pantry and adding a glass of tea. Today’s meal was simple, and having used the crock pot, she was able to get all of the pies finished for the Christmas feast they would have tomorrow.
So now the only thing left to do was to sit back and pretend that she hadn’t just tipped the first domino, hoping for the events of the future to tumble right into place.
♂♂
Ethan
He should have known.
He should have known, and he should have turned right around and left as soon as Beau walked in the door.
What his mother was up to, Ethan had no clue, but it didn’t surprise him one bit that this little setup had been her doing. And it wasn’t like he was going to call her on it. In order to do that, he would have to openly admit to something he wasn’t ready to announce to the world. Hell, he wasn’t sure he’d ever be ready to announce it.
“Hey,” Beau said quietly as he moved toward the kitchen table where Ethan was still standing like an idiot.
Pulling back the chair, the wooden legs making a loud squealing noise against the hardwood floor, Ethan dropped into his seat, not acknowledging Beau. He couldn’t. If he did, he was probably going to open up a can of worms that he’d never be able to contain.
Considering how fucking sexy he found the sound of the guy’s voice, or the intriguing way that damn t-shirt pulled tight across a sculpted chest, he didn’t stand a chance if he let his mouth get the better of him. Nope, he’d be better off sitting in the chair and focusing on something else – anything else – so that the persistent fucking hard on behind the fly of his jeans would take the hint… he wasn’t interested.
Right. Keep telling yourself that.
“You all right?” Beau asked as he lowered himself into the chair beside him, the same place his mother had just placed another bowl of stew. The woman thought she was sneaky, but Ethan had caught onto his mother’s little interferences years ago.
Except she had surprised him today.
Seeing Beau at his parents’ house without Zane around was strange. Not uncomfortable, just different. Although, there was some discomfort, but that was primarily due to Ethan’s uncontrollable physical attraction to the guy. The one he had to keep to himself because… Well, just because.
“One of these days, you’re gonna have to talk to me again,” Beau said quietly, his words clear and firm, causing Ethan to jerk his head up and meet his gaze.
“What was that?”
Why had Beau’s words sounded like a threat? And more importantly, why the fuck did Ethan like the guy all that much more now that he found he had somewhat of a dominating side?
Beau kept him pinned with hooded eyes, a somewhat bored expression on his face as he did. Ethan’s heart pounded in his ears, the heavy thump in his chest probably being heard by his parents in the other room.
“You heard me,” Beau said once again. “You’re just lucky I’m a patient man.”
Ethan opened his mouth to say something. Closed it.
Ethan wanted to argue with Beau, but then decided against it. He wasn’t going to win this one. And based on his body’s current reaction, he wasn’t so sure either one of them would walk out of this house before this pot of lust and need boiled up and over, spilling everywhere and creating a disaster that Ethan wasn’t quite ready to have to deal with.
Chapter Seventeen
♂♂
Beau
Beau pretended not to notice Ethan’s reaction to his words. His disbelief was clearly written across his ruggedly handsome face. And knowing that he had shocked Ethan made him a little giddy. Rather than give himself away, he admired Ethan from beneath his lashes, pretending to be interested in what was in the bowl in front of him.
He wasn’t used to seeing Ethan quite so clean cut, generally he was sporting a ball cap on backward, a t-shirt and jeans that had seen much better days, and a shadow of beard along his angular jaw. Today, the man looked entirely different. His hair was a little too long, but combed neatly, his face was smooth, and his clothes weren’t ones that he used as a grease rag on a regular basis.
And fuck if Beau didn’t find himself hard enough to pound nails. He was tired of playing this game with Ethan, and he wasn’t sure how much longer he’d be able to handle it, especially if Lorrie Walker was getting involved. Despite what everyone thought, Beau knew for a fact that Lorrie offered a little helping hand in her sons’ relationships. Beau had the luxury of being on the outside looking in from time to time, and based on what he knew, she was at it again.
Only this time, her interference was going to work in Beau’s favor. At least he hoped it would.
“You boys aren’t finished yet?” Lorrie asked when she returned to the kitchen a few minutes later.
“You’re not gonna join us?” Ethan asked, jerking his gaze away from Beau as though he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
“Not today. I ate earlier with Sawyer.”
“This is wonderful, Mrs. Walker. Thanks for inviting me over,” Beau said, keeping his voice low and even.
“Well, when you’re done with that, there’s pumpkin pie in the refrigerator. I made one specifically for today.”
Beau wasn’t opposed to pumpkin pie or dessert of any kind for that matter, but he couldn’t quite figure out how his mind could deviate to images of Ethan naked and a can of whipped cream at the ready. Especially while Lorrie was still in the room.
To Beau’s surprise, Lorrie didn’t stick around, she just turned and headed back to the living room where she had come from. From where he sat at the kitchen table, he could see Curtis sitting in his recliner while Lorrie made herself comfortable on the couch, her e-reader in hand.
Forcing his gaze back to Ethan, he noticed him shoveling food in his mouth like it wasn’t going to be there a minute from now and he would die without nourishment.
It was obvious, Ethan was doing one of two things: ensuring he didn’t have to talk or finishing so he could flee.
Considering the possibilities that had been handed to him practically on a silver platter, Beau wasn’t ready for Ethan to disappear just yet. The opportunities to be alone with the guy, even if they weren’t completely alone, were few and far between, and he couldn’t imagine letting this chance to be closer to him get away.
“Hey, boy,” Curtis called from the living room and Ethan sat up and turned to face his father while Beau looked on.
“What’s up?” Ethan called out, his broad, muscular chest shifting sideways as he looked behind him, the crisp white t-shirt that accentuated his bronze skin stretching tightly over hard pecs.
Beau’s mouth watered.
“When you’re done feeding your face, your mother wants you and Beau to help her move some furniture upstairs.”
Lord have mercy. Beau’s dick throbbed, his jeans painfully tight, and it had nothing to do with the fact his stomach was now full. How the hell was he supposed to be able to resist a temptation like that one. The only rooms upstairs were the bedrooms that the brothers had used when they lived here as kids. Which meant, unless Lorrie had some strange furniture in the bathrooms, he was going to find himself alone in a bedroom with Ethan.
Beau glanced back to Ethan’s face, noticing he was staring intently at him. He wanted to ask him what the problem was, but he already knew. The idea of them being alone was having the same effect on Ethan as it was on him. Only…
“Hey, Mom,” Ethan called out, his eyes still locked with Beau’s.
“What, honey?”
“You mind if I invite Blake to Christmas dinner tomorrow?”
The low, animalistic growl that erupted from Beau’s chest was barely perceptible, however, it was unmistakable. He didn’t like the idea, but it wasn’t like he could do a damn thing about it. Ethan was going to push, and he was going to push hard. The guy wasn’t going to open up and admit anything he didn’t have to. Beau knew that much.
Too bad Ethan didn’t realize just how much Beau wanted from him. Or how unwilling Beau was to give up on this – whatever this was. Because if he did, he would realize that he was only delaying the inevitable.
Beau watched as Lorrie moved into the room. She seemed to be eying Ethan speculatively and moving slower than usual. He was waiting for Lorrie’s usual happy response to Ethan’s question, however, it never came.
“When you boys are finished, I’d like you to switch the dresser from your old room with the one from Zane’s.”
“Why?” Ethan asked, irritation dripping from his tone.
Lorrie paused, and Beau leaned back in his chair, ready to let her know that he’d be more than willing to move the furniture without Ethan’s help.
“Do you have an issue with helping me?” Lorrie asked her son, catching Beau by surprise. She did not sound at all happy.
Ethan dropped his head, pushing his plate away. “No, Mom. It’s no problem.”
A tiny hint of a smile crept across Lorrie’s face before she turned away.
“Thank you.”
Figuring there wasn’t any conversation to be had there at the table, Beau grabbed his empty bowl and headed to the sink, rinsing and setting it into the dish drainer before turning back to Ethan.
“Ready to get this over with?” he asked, his hands clamped onto the edge of the counter as he leaned back casually. There was no way he was going to let Ethan know just how worked up he was.
The guy was avoiding him. And even if Beau didn’t like the idea, it was promising. Yes, maybe in a twisted, warped way, but at least it was something to grab onto.
“Yup. I’ve got things to do so let’s get it over with,” Ethan answered.
When he approached, Beau had to move out of the way, but he made sure to brush by him as he went. The electrical charge started at the point where their arms brushed against one another and went out through every one of his extremities.
He wanted to get his hands on Ethan. So much so, his fingers tingled with the urge.
♂♂
Ethan
Horrible idea.
This was absolutely the worst possible situation that Ethan could find himself in. The temptation was too great. Much too great.
Making his way up the stairs, Ethan discreetly glanced into the living room to see what his parents were doing. Neither of them had moved, nor had they turned their attention away from the television. Considering his mother didn’t watch television, Ethan knew she was up to something.
“Which one do you want to get first?” Beau asked when they both reached the landing at the top of the stairs.
“Zane’s.” What the hell was his mother thinking rearranging furniture upstairs? It wasn’t like anyone ever used the stuff anyway. And he knew without a doubt that she didn’t frequent these rooms so why did it matter where one dresser was versus another?
Ethan turned and followed Beau down the hall to Zane’s old room. He did his best not to admire the strength and power in all of the muscles that flexed when Beau moved. From those broad shoulders to that narrow waist, the man was masculine perfection. He still had that football player build, bulky upper body and thick lower body. And Ethan still found himself attracted to the guy after all this time.
He still had a hard time wrapping his head around the idea of Beau being gay. It wasn’t impossible, but still seemed unlikely. After all, Beau had spent the better part of his adult life having threesomes with Zane’s girlfriends. But somewhere along the way, it seemed as though Beau had realized he’d been going the wrong direction. Or at least that’s what Ethan had heard.
Not his place to question though.
Once inside Zane’s old room, Ethan flipped on the lights and moved to the far end of the long dresser.
“You think we should take the mirror off first?” Beau asked, standing there with his hands on his hips and staring at Ethan like he’d lost his mind.
Fuck no. The mirror could take it or leave it as far as Ethan was concerned. He just wanted to get this over with and get back downstairs. Or outside. Yes, outside would be good because being confined in a bedroom alone with Beau wasn’t healthy.
“Fine, I’ll get a screwdriver,” Ethan told him, making a beeline back out into the hallway. He was halfway to the stairs when he stopped and leaned up against the wall. Dropping his head back, he stared up at the ceiling.
“What the fuck is wrong with me?” he muttered to himself, his chest heaving like he’d just moved all the damn furniture upstairs by himself.
“You’re in denial.”
Beau’s deep, rusty voice sent a chill racing down Ethan’s spine, but he didn’t move. Didn’t say a word. And somehow, he managed to not look at Beau either.
He could do this. He was the king of aloof and indifferent. There was no way Beau even had a clue what was going through Ethan’s mind right then.
When Beau’s handsome face loomed in front of him a second later, Ethan knew he was in for it. Beau was one of the few men he’d met who was actually taller than him. Not only that, he was broader, thicker. And leaning against the wall the way that he was, Beau surrounded him entirely.
“You don’t want to do this,” Ethan warned, deepening his voice and keeping it steady.
“Do what?”
“Exactly what you’re about to do.” Ethan wasn’t stupid and the proximity of Beau’s body was making him nervous. He couldn’t give in to the temptation. He couldn’t.
But God, he wanted to.
“I think you’re hoping I’ll do something,” Beau said levelly.
How the fuck could the guy stand that damn close and not feel the crackle in the air between them? Or hell, maybe he could and he was just ignoring it. Either way, Beau was acting a hell of a lot cooler about this than Ethan was.
“I’m in a relationship,” Ethan blurted, staring directly into Beau’s eyes.
“Or so you say,” Beau retorted, his cool facade slipping a notch. “I think it’s just your way of hiding.”
Ethan’s anger came to a rapid boil in an instant, his hands fisting at his sides. Lowering his voice to barely above a whisper, Ethan stared deep into Beau’s eyes. “I guess you forgot whose mouth I was fucking as you watched.”
Hating that he’d said the words as soon as they came out of his mouth, Ethan pushed off the wall. Or at least he tried to.
As soon as he moved, he found himself pressed firmly against the wall, Beau’s hands landing on the sheetrock on each side of his head, their noses inches apart, their chests not quite touching, but the heat from Beau’s body was the equivalent of touching the sun.
Ahhh, fucking hell.
“You can run all day long, Ethan,” Beau growled. “I’m not here to make things hard for you. I’m not in a hurry either.”
What the fuck kind of game was Beau playing?
Before he could say anything, Beau continued.
“So, you enjoy whatever it is you have with that asshole, and I’ll be right here when you finally decided you’re done playing games.”
Ethan swallowed, unsure why he felt the need to submit to Beau. The urge was so intense, his knees actually shook with the need that coursed through him. But this wasn’t good for him. And it damn sure wasn’t good for Beau. Ethan didn’t have anything to offer him.
Nothing. At. All.
“Let it go, Beau,” Ethan whispered.
“Sorry, can’t do that,” Beau answered easily, his mouth moving in closer until Ethan could feel the warmth of his breath against his own lips. God, he wanted to lean forward just a
little, plunge his tongue into Beau’s mouth and show him exactly what he’d be asking for if he pursued this.
Long seconds ticked by as they stood there, staring at one another, neither of them saying a word. Finally, whatever spell had pulled them under was broken and Beau took a step back. “I’ll go get that screwdriver now.”
“You do that.” Ethan intended to stand there and hold up the wall for a few minutes longer. Then… Yes, maybe then he’d be able to feel his legs again.
Lord help him. Beau Bennett had just found a way underneath the impenetrable armor that Ethan had erected around his emotions, and the man hadn’t even fucking touched him.
Chapter Eighteen
♀♂
Zoey
Christmas Day
“Good morning,” Zoey greeted Lorrie when she arrived at the Walker’s house at nine o’clock.
“Good morning, honey,” Lorrie answered, moving swiftly across the room to give her a hug. “Let me take your coat.”
Zoey turned around, allowing Lorrie to help her slip out of her coat. She had been surprised when she stepped out on the porch that morning to see that they actually did have a few snow flurries and the temperature had dropped into the low thirties. That might not be cold to some, but for their area, the temps were colder than she was used to. The possibility of a white Christmas, even if it was just a light dusting of snow had filled Zoey with an overwhelming sense of joy.
“Is V here yet?” Zoey asked, following Lorrie into the living room.
“She’s on her way. She just called and said she was picking up Jessie and heading this way.”
“Where’s Kylie?” If Jessie needed a ride, that meant her little Honda obviously wasn’t fond of the cold temperatures either.
“Travis and Gage needed to take her somewhere.”
Zoey beamed, meeting Lorrie’s eyes. “Did they…?” Letting the question hang, Zoey felt a surge of excitement pulse through her veins.
Holidays With the Walker Brothers Page 12