Ethan (Alluring Indulgence #5)(42)
Author: Nicole Edwards

If he had to describe it in one word, Ethan would say his taste was… simple.

Ethan watched as Beau moved slowly, glancing back at him once before moving forward.

“Want something to drink?” As though the question triggered Beau’s hunger response, Ethan heard Beau’s stomach growl. “How about I make us some lunch?”

Beau’s smile was so bright, Ethan’s heart thudded double time in his chest. God, the man was beautiful. And when he smiled, he was magnificent.

“I’ll help,” Beau offered. “Which way is the kitchen?”

Ethan chuckled and then moved around Beau so he could give him a brief tour of the downstairs. “Living room,” he said, pointing to the large den. The entire front and rear walls of the house were made up entirely of glass; therefore, the den was brightly lit, highlighting the bamboo floors, the stainless steel accents, and even the leather furniture.

“Dining room.” Ethan motioned to the small breakfast nook that was tucked away behind the kitchen, once again overlooking the back of the house, the windows offering a stunning view of his swimming pool. Although he liked the view from that room, he rarely used it because sitting at the table by himself just felt awkward.

“Kitchen,” he told Beau as they went through the arched entryway that led to the kitchen which sat on the southwest corner, facing the front of the house. Each and every time he saw the kitchen, Ethan’s breath would stutter in his chest. It was by far his favorite room and the one he spent most of his time in. It wasn’t a known fact, but Ethan loved to cook. Even if he only cooked for one. His mother swore he’d inherited that trait from her.

Remembering Beau was behind him, he turned, nodding his head toward a hallway on the far side of the living room. “And there’s a bathroom and one guest room down that hall.”

He couldn’t bring himself to mention that his bedroom was upstairs. If he was lucky, he’d give Beau the hands on tour of that room soon enough.

Once in the kitchen, Ethan rummaged through the refrigerator, looking for something to make. He’d gone to the store a couple of days ago, so there were plenty of options. He just wasn’t sure what to prepare for Beau. Ethan was tempted to cook for him, but then again, it would require more time and patience than he felt they had at the moment.

“Any requests?” he asked, glancing over the top of the refrigerator door at Beau who was leaning against the wall in the doorway, watching him. His sexy arms were again crossed over his bulky chest.

Ethan’s mouth watered and suddenly he was starving… but not for anything he would find in the refrigerator.

Beau tried to appear casual.

He was pretty sure he failed.

Leaning against the wall, he watched Ethan move through the immaculately designed kitchen. He wondered if the guy knew how intensely sexy he was. Even more so when he was comfortable in his own surroundings. He doubted Ethan even tried, but the powerful way he moved could almost be considered erotic. He lacked the grace that some men had, but he exerted an underlying self-assurance that was a total turn on.

Damn.

“I’m not picky,” Beau answered Ethan’s question. “At least not when it comes to food.”

When Ethan’s eyebrow lifted in that smooth, confident way, Beau smiled. Yes, he was certainly picky about the partners he chose to be with. In fact, Ethan was the first man that Beau found himself openly attracted to. Well, aside from Zane, but even Beau could admit that was different.

Very different.

His attraction to Zane had been laced with confusion, uncertainty. Almost like an experiment. A way to confirm that he wasn’t whom he had been pretending to be. With Ethan, he knew exactly what he wanted, and he wanted so much more than mere minutes rolling in the sheets. This was what he wanted, the easy conversation, the interaction that made his heart burst with excitement.

Beau cared for Zane. They were friends. But that’s all they were. Zane was a man that Beau could rely on when times were tough or when he needed someone to talk to. A man who would have his back when things got tough and high five him when there was something to celebrate.

However, when it came to Ethan…

With Ethan, Beau felt entirely different.

Sure, there was an attraction. Intense and exquisite. Confusing in its own right, but not in the same way. Beau knew what he wanted with Ethan. He’d known it for a while. And the opportunity to get to know him better was right here in front of him. Beau only hoped he didn’t blow it.

“Sandwich?” Ethan asked.

Beau nodded. “Sounds perfect.” And quick, something Beau was certainly in the mood for. “What can I do to help?” he asked as he pushed off the wall and took two steps across the kitchen until he was practically pressing against the breakfast bar facing Ethan.