Page 35 of The Swap Masquerade

“It’s really coming along, isn’t it?” I stared up at the house we’d been working on. With the walls all in place and the roof having been put on earlier in the week, it was finally starting to look like an actual home rather than a pile of lumber.

“Yeah. We’ve been lucky to have so many volunteers. We can’t thank you enough for getting your students involved. It was a great idea.” Cassie stood next to me, dressed in bib overalls and a ratty looking tee, both of which were splattered with paint. She also had a smear of paint across one cheek.

“No thanks are necessary. Habitat is such a worthwhile organization and you guys do so much for communities, I’m happy my students are getting a chance to experience it all. I think it’s something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives and hopefully, they’ll want to continue giving back.”

She smiled up at me. “I wish more people saw things the way you do, Gavin. The world would be a much better place.”

“I agree,” a deep voice said from behind me. I turned and my heart skipped a beat when I saw it was Elliott. “Professor Holt has definitely opened my eyes to new things. I can’t wait to do it all again…once this house is finished, I mean.” He flashed me a heart-stopping grin, a little dimple making an appearance on his right cheek. I immediately picked up on the double meaning and sent him a warning look in return.

Thankfully, Cassie didn’t seem to think there was anything odd about his statement. “That’s great! We can always use the help. Well, I better get back to work and you’re probably ready to get started too. I’ll see you guys later.”

“Have a good day.” I waited until she’d walked away, and we were all by ourselves before turning to Elliott. “You think you’re cute, don’t you?”

He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter what I think. The real question is, do you think I’m cute?”

I pursed my lips, letting my eyes wander over him. The white t-shirt he was wearing was in perfect contrast to his golden skin, and the sleeves stretched over his biceps made my fingers itch to touch him. His jeans were an ideal fit, showing off his muscular thighs. I remembered all too well how those thighs had felt, holding me close and drawing me in as he welcomed me into his body for the very first time. My own jeans felt a little tighter in the front by the time I looked back up. The smirk he was wearing told me he knew exactly where my thoughts had been.

I crossed my arms. “Are you ready to behave, now?” I was speaking to him, but I could have just as easily been scolding myself. My body’s response to him felt blatantly obvious. I was going to have to be careful if I didn’t want anyone to notice.

Elliott gave me a cheeky grin. “Fine. I’ll be good. For now.”

I tried to glare at him but couldn’t fight my smile for long. I shook my head. “Come on, let’s get to work. We have windows to install.”

It didn’t take long for us to fall into the same comfortable rhythm we’d always shared when working side by side. We were a good team, working in sync to get the job done faster. We talked as we worked, but it felt different from before. Like by sharing stories about ourselves, we were building something meaningful between us.

At least, I hoped we were. I really liked Elliott and had missed him during the two weeks I’d forced myself to stay away. However, I cautioned myself not to get too carried away. After all, I’d had years of experience to teach me exactly what I did and didn’t want as far as guys were concerned, but he didn’t have that. This was all new to him, opening up to someone else, sex, dating a man, all of it. He chose me to be his first, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t eventually want to see what else was out there.

Holding my arms above my head to support the window’s weight, I looked through the pane of glass to the other side where Elliott was securing the frame in place. He caught my stare and winked which made butterflies swarm inside my belly and I knew, right then and there, it was too late for me. I was already in too deep. It might not have been love just yet, but I could see it heading in that direction. Somehow, Elliott Stone had managed to get under my skin in a way no one else ever had. If he did change his mind and decide to walk away, I’d have to let him go, but it wouldn’t be easy. In fact, it would be the hardest thing I’d ever have to do.

“Hey!” I jumped, turning to see him standing beside me. Confused, I looked at the window and then back at him. “I told you I was done with the window. Didn’t you hear me?”

I let go of the window, lowering my arms to my sides. “Oh, I must not have. Sorry.”

He chuckled but there was a hint of concern on his face. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, why?”

“I don’t know. You looked a little…sad or something.”

I shook my head, setting my worries aside for the moment. “Everything’s great. I was trying to figure out what to cook for dinner.”

Elliott leaned in and lowered his voice. “Are we still on for tonight?”

I glanced around, making sure no one was nearby. “Yeah. Seven. My place. I sent you the address, right?”

He tapped his pocket. “Got it in my phone.”

“Good. Is there anything in particular you’re hungry for? Any food allergies I should know about?”

“No allergies, and what I’m hungry for, you won’t find in a store.” The wicked smile he shot me did crazy things to my body but before I could respond, he started to move away, walking backwards toward the sidewalk at the front of the house. He raised his voice as he went. “Oh, and that was the last window, so Cassie said we’re free to go. I’m going to head home and take a shower. I’ve got a hot date tonight and I’m feeling pretty dirty.”

His words were innocent enough to anyone who might have been paying attention, but the meaning behind them made the blood rush from my head, straight to my cock. I glared after him as he turned and headed down the street to where he was parked, the sound of his laughter following him the whole way. I only had one thought as I bent down and began picking up my tools. Elliott was going to pay.

* * *

At exactly seven o’clock on the dot, I pulled the door open to a smiling Elliott. “I wasn’t sure what you decided to make, so I got one of each,” he said, holding up a bottle of wine in each hand, one red and one white.

I smiled back at him, touched by his thoughtfulness. He was constantly surprising me, in the best of ways. “Thanks. Come in.”

---