Ethan (Alluring Indulgence #5)(43)
Author: Nicole Edwards

Ethan nodded toward a door as he said, “Grab the bread out of there.”

Beau didn’t hesitate before he was opening the oversized pantry, instantly taking stock of the food selection. Everything was organized neatly on each shelf, and there was more food in Ethan’s pantry than Beau had bought in probably three months. There were boxes and jars and cans, all of which were lined up in what appeared to be some sort of order that must’ve made sense to Ethan.

As he reached for the bread, – having to choose between white and wheat – he skimmed the cans. Mostly vegetables, beans, and even a couple of cans of ravioli. It was odd how personal it felt to be perusing Ethan’s food supply. He liked the feeling, strangely enough.

“Do you like to cook?” he asked Ethan, pulling the loaf of bread out of the small box it was kept in.

Ethan looked up at him, pausing as he sliced a fresh tomato on a cutting board. “Yeah.”

Beau noticed the uncertainty on Ethan’s face, as though admitting that he enjoyed cooking was a part of himself he didn’t like to reveal.

“Well, we’ll get along nicely, then,” Beau said easily, setting the wheat bread down in front of Ethan before turning to the built-in refrigerator that took up the majority of one wall.

“Why’s that?” Ethan asked.

“Because I like to eat.”

Ethan laughed, the sound rusty but soothing at the same time.

Beau searched the refrigerator for longer than he probably should have. It was stocked just as well, if not more so, than the pantry. Tons of fresh food, including vegetables and fruit, more meat and cheese. A gallon of milk, a six pack of Heineken – Ethan’s beer of choice. Several jars of applesauce. And an enormous jug of chocolate syrup.

Pretending that he wasn’t checking out what type of food Ethan opted for, Beau grabbed a jar of mayo and a bottle of spicy mustard. When he turned back, he noticed Ethan watching him, a subtle grin on his delectable lips.

“Sorry,” Beau said shyly as he took the items and set them alongside the abundance of fresh meat and cheese that were decorating the counter beside Ethan.

Opting not to retreat, which was something he would’ve done in the past, Beau decided he was going to embrace this moment. He still wasn’t sure how they’d gotten to this point, but he wasn’t about to ruin it. Being here, doing something as mundane as making sandwiches, Beau felt closer to Ethan than when they’d been making out at the shop just a short while ago.

His entire body heated rapidly as he remembered that kiss. It was amazing. Even better than last night or the first kiss they shared on Christmas Day, and for the longest time, Beau wasn’t sure anything would ever compare to that.

“Can you grab a couple of plates out of the cabinet?”

Beau headed over to the cabinet that Ethan nodded toward and grabbed two plates before returning to his side.

“One or two?” Ethan asked, sliding slices of bread out of the plastic wrapper.

“Three,” Beau said with a smile. He didn’t eat often, but when he did, he ate a lot. At six-foot-six, two hundred forty pounds, Beau wasn’t a little guy. Considering he spent at least eight hours a week in the gym, another forty on his feet at work, he couldn’t skimp on food if he had a say in the matter.

Ethan handed him six slices of bread and Beau laid them out on a plate while Ethan did the same with four pieces. For the next few minutes, they built fat sandwiches, their arms, shoulders, and hands grazing one another every so often, sending shards of awareness coursing through him.

“Was it me? Or was that the most immensely satisfying sandwich making of your life?” Ethan muttered as he grabbed his plate and headed toward the dining table, causing Beau to laugh as he followed.

“Not gonna argue,” Beau agreed with an amused smirk, “immensely satisfying.”

The two of them sat across from one another while they ate. Beau expected it to be awkward, but surprisingly enough, as soon as they were seated, Ethan opted for conversation. Maybe not a topic Beau was happy about, but at least he chose to fill the silence.

“That comment Ricky made yesterday,” Ethan began, glancing up at Beau. “Has he ever said something like that around you before?”

Instead of answering immediately, Beau admired the view off of the back of the house, the crystal blue waters of the infinity pool that were probably cold enough to send his balls into hibernation for a year. The trees that encircled the backside of the house, even when they were dismal from the cold winter temperatures, offered the same sort of privacy that Zane’s house had.

Finally, letting his gaze settle on Ethan once more, Beau opted to answer. “No.”