Ethan (Alluring Indulgence #5)(117)
Author: Nicole Edwards

“I already have,” he said to the empty space that Travis had just vacated. “But don’t worry, I can do you one better,” he added for good measure.

Ethan grabbed his phone from his hip and typed in a quick text.

Can I stop by tonight? Want to see you.

Chapter Thirty Seven

Beau ran a towel through his wet hair as he headed to the kitchen. He was starving, but he doubted there’d be anything worthwhile in his refrigerator. Pulling open the door, the entire fridge shook from standing on unbalanced legs, and he sighed. A quick look inside and his suspicions were confirmed. Nothing except a bottle of ketchup, a carton of eggs that were no doubt expired, and a six pack of water.

After spending two hours at the gym, Beau needed sustenance. Grabbing his cell phone, Beau checked the time and noticed that he had a text. Several actually.

Shit.

Fuck.

Shit.

Ethan was on his way over.

The sudden knock on the door confirmed it and Beau jumped, looking around to see what type of shape his apartment was in. Not good. It wasn’t messy, more like desolate. And depressing.

He didn’t want Ethan to see it but somehow he’d missed the texts and now he had no choice but to answer the door. With a shaking hand, he pulled the door open, cringing at the loud squeak from the hinges.

“Hey.”

Ethan smiled and suddenly, Beau didn’t have a care in the world. It didn’t matter that he hardly had any furniture or that there wasn’t a single thing to eat in his house. Everything revolved around the handsome man now standing in his doorway.

“It’s a damn good thing my brother answered the phone or I would’ve been knocking on every door until I found the right one.” Ethan’s tone was light and Beau just stood staring back at him. “Invite me in, Beau,” Ethan said with a gruff chuckle.

Beau peered behind him at his apartment and then opened the door wide.

“Sorry, it’s…” Shit, Beau didn’t even know what it was. Pathetic was one word. “I didn’t see your text. I would’ve met you at your house. I… There isn’t much here.”

Ethan silenced him by pulling him against him, his strong arm circling around, his hand cupping the back of Beau’s neck, scorching him with pleasant warmth. “It’s fine.”

No, it really wasn’t, but how was he supposed to argue with Ethan when he now had his tongue in his mouth. The only important thing on Beau’s mind was devouring him until he couldn’t stand on his own two feet.

Unfortunately, he didn’t get that opportunity before Ethan pulled away, smiling at him before turning to check out his apartment. Every room was visible from right where they were standing, including the tiny bathroom with the clear shower curtain, the secondhand table that sat in what was supposedly the dining area and the two mismatched chairs that he’d found at a garage sale.

He didn’t have a couch, just a small loveseat that had belonged to his grandmother and was handed down to him as the only house warming gift his mother had been willing to get him. Then, of course, he could see his bedroom and the mattress and box spring with the white sheets and tan blanket that lay in a rumpled bunch hanging off the side.

Damn it.

“Your place is much nicer,” Beau said nervously.

“From where I stand, there’s only a couple of differences between my place and yours,” Ethan said sharply.

Beau snorted. A couple? Right. Still he was curious to hear Ethan’s thought process. “What’s that?”

“You’ve done everything on your own. I had mine handed to me.”

Beau knew that to be only partly true. Lorrie and Curtis didn’t shower their kids with money or gifts. They ensured they were taken care of, but they made their boys work for what they wanted. But it wasn’t surprising that Ethan didn’t give himself nearly enough credit.

“That’s only one,” Beau stated, waiting to hear the rest.

Ethan looked back at him, his eyes serious. “The other difference is that I own mine outright. You’re renting this place.”

Ok, Beau felt as though he were seriously missing something. “That’s obvious,” Beau retorted.

“Which means…” Ethan paused, glanced down at his hands and then back up to meet Beau’s eyes once more. “Which means living with me would only make more sense.”

“Livi –” Beau nearly swallowed his tongue. “Wait, what?”

Ethan smiled and again Beau felt a little off balance. No, wait. He felt a lot off balance.

Then, Ethan moved closer once again, sliding his hand up behind Beau’s head and holding him there. He wasn’t sure whether Ethan knew just how much he needed the touch at the moment.