Page 11 of Séance

Ellis finishes tightening a bolt, then hands the wrench over to Hicks without even looking to see if he needs it. Hicks accepts with a nod and moves on to the next section.

It’s fascinating to watch.

The twins are even more striking. They don’t need to look at each other, working in tandem as they construct two bookshelves. Gunner hovers more on the edges of the group, but I don’t make the mistake of assuming that he’s not just as integral to the team.

It’s like they know he prefers his distance and give it to him.

I’m completely captivated by their dynamic.

I don’t realize I’m staring until Jameson winks at me, flexing his arms as he lifts my bookcase upright with an amazing display of strength. Jaceson doesn’t seem to mind that his twin draws all the attention. It’s like he knows his twin needs it more, and he allows himself to fade slightly into the background…not that anyone who looks like him can completely disappear.

He’s more dangerous than his brother, and it has nothing to do with his stunning good looks. He’s more observant. For someone like me, who has too many secrets, it’s not a great combination. He only needs to bat his lashes in my direction, and my thoughts would scatter, my dark secrets his for the taking.

Not liking the direction of my thoughts, I step farther into the room. “What can I do to help?”

I want to be part of the world, not just an observer.

Gunner glances up from where he’s kneeling on the floor, lifting boards and fitting them to the bottom of the bed frame. His narrowed eyes scan me from head to toe, as if he’s decidingif I’m worthy, and I straighten under the scrutiny, not wanting to be found lacking.

He grunts and nods his head toward the other side of the bed. “Lift the other end.”

With a relieved sigh, I scoot around the guys and hurry to do as ordered. I groan under the weight of the board, surprised by the heaviness and impressed he was able to lift them so easily by himself.

It’s not long before the room is put into order. As the twins grunt and manhandle the mattress onto the bed, fantasies of them wrestlingonthe mattress invade my mind. I quickly turn away before my imagination takes over completely and I do something stupid, like reach out and touch them.

Hicks catches my attention first as he deftly mounts the television to the wall. Ellis sits near the window, diligently setting up my computer system on my new desk. Jameson is organizing the shelves in the walk-in closet to his satisfaction. When finished, he steps out and looks around the room, but everything else is almost done. With nothing else to do, he glances at me. “Where is your stuff? I can help you unpack.”

I nibble on my bottom lip, then wince when it throbs in protest before I reluctantly admit the truth. “I didn’t bring much with me.”

Nothing really, but I don’t share that with them.

“I’ve ordered a few things online,” I say, rubbing my brow to cover my embarrassment as I recall how many boxes have accumulated over the last few days. “The boxes are stored in the bathroom. I didn’t want to unpack until I had a chance to organize my room first.”

The guys slow their work, staring at me curiously as if they can sense my unease. They share a look with each other, and I shift awkwardly, refusing to feel sorry for myself. I don’t regretleaving behind every possession I own. I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant being free of that prison.

“Sounds good,” Gunner says, rising to his feet. “Show me, and I’ll help you.”

Ridiculously pleased that they are letting the matter drop, I smile and head out the door. “Follow me.”

I open the bathroom across the hall, then wince when I’m greeted by a wall of boxes. “Today was moving day, so I shoved all the packages I ordered online in here to make room. It’s a bit of a mess.”

Gunner doesn’t even blink as he reaches for an armload and begins hauling them into my bedroom. I follow with my own stack and toss them on the bed. Jameson doesn’t hesitate to rip the packages open, sort the clothing, and place the items in the closet and dresser.

When he grabs an armful of panties and bras, I’m uncertain if I should be grateful for the help or yank away the intimate items, but he doesn’t even blink. With his looks, I’m not surprised he’s so familiar with feminine apparel.

Deciding it’s not worth the argument, I leave him to it.

Jaceson breaks down the boxes almost as fast as his brother empties them. When he catches up, he stares at the bed, a furrow appearing between his brows. “Do you have any sheets? I don’t want to get your mattress dirty with the boxes.”

I purse my lips and sort through the boxes Gunner continues hauling into the room. After ripping open two of them, I hit pay dirt. “Here!”

Lifting the dark blue sheets out of the box, I kick the cardboard aside and hand my prize over to Jaceson. He gathers the items in his arms and heads toward the bed without a word. While I enjoy spending time with the guys, their easy camaraderie captivating to watch, I don’t like being left out. I shift awkwardly, then decide to follow. “Do you need help?”

“Sure.” He doesn’t even look up from pulling the sheets out of the plastic wrapping. He grabs the fitted sheet, then he shakes it out until the material snaps in the air over the bed and slowly settles over the mattress. “You get that side. I’ll do this end.”

I do as instructed. The second sheet quickly follows. It doesn’t take long to complete the task, and I look up when I’m done and freeze when I find Jaceson leaning over my bed, smoothing out the wrinkles.

There is something intimate about having a handsome man make your bed for you. He isn’t even aware of my gawking as he straightens the corners. Disliking the direction of my thoughts, I straighten and practically sprint from the room. “I’ll find the duvet.”

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