Page 6 of Basilisk

He put his bag on the bed and turned back to find Clive wringing his hands.

“I’m going to shower, then. I just couldn’t in that hotel.” Clive hurried from the room.

Bain purposely did not look at that fantastically round ass again. Clive was a client, therefore completely off limits. He’d have to ignore the strangely powerful attraction he had toward him.

He walked back into the living room and got a better look around him. There was a navy couch with a matching chair, a square, glass coffee table, and bookshelves lining two entire walls. He wandered to those, snorting when he saw that the books were in alphabetical order. Looked like they were all non-fiction with two small exceptions. Okay, not small considering how many there were, but he had quite a few books set in the Star Trek Universe. Bain had read a lot of those himself. And Clive also had a really nice collection of gay romances, especiallyshifter romances—which often got the lore wrong. Bain spotted a few of his own favorites in the mix. Bain had always been a heavy reader, loving anything from biographies to spicy fiction.

The house had an open plan, the kitchen and living area only separated by an island. Curious to see if Clive’s organization continued in there, Bain opened a few cabinets only to find everything perfectly lined up on every shelf. He didn’t even have a collection of different coffee mugs. Every single one was gray, and the handles all faced the same direction.

Xavier hadn’t been kidding about this one. Bain couldn’t imagine living in such order. His own apartment had clothes draped everywhere, magazines scattered around, and not one of his coffee mugs matched. He’d also left dishes from last night in his sink.

Clive would go insane in his place.

Bain strode back into the living area and settled into the navy chair. He’d been honest about how much time he spent just watching, so he sat back, cleared his mind, and opened his senses. He’d know instantly if anyone tried to break in again.

He stayed quiet as Clive followed his direction and went about his day, which was basically disappearing into his home office after he offered a bagel to Bain. Clive ate his own at the table, washed his dishes, put them away, then was basically gone for hours.

Bain spent some of the time reading a book he’d brought with him—a fantastic science fiction gay romance he’d read before but loved enough for a repeat. He spent the rest of the time thinking. Mostly about why he was so attracted to Clive when the man had done nothing more than show he’d liked Bain’s looks. There hadn’t been a hint of flirting, no sexy banter—Bain was pretty sure sexy banter wasn’t a part of Clive’s vocabulary. All he’d done was stare with his mouth open and his pretty eyes wide.

Just what was it about this particular human?

It was going to be fun to find out. He wouldn’t act on the attraction, but he did enjoy a good round of speculation.

Around six that evening, Clive came out to stand behind the couch, nervously shuffling his feet as he looked at Bain. After his shower earlier, he’d changed into navy slacks and a pale blue polo shirt that matched his eyes. His curls were in disarray, like he’d been frustrated and running his hands through them. “I was going to order some Chinese food. Does that sound good?”

“It does,” Bain agreed. “But don’t feel you have to provide for me while I’m here.”

“You have to eat, too.” He picked up his phone off the table behind the couch. “Do you like movies? I subscribe to a lot of services, so we’ll have our pick.”

“A movie would be nice.”

“I’m having a hard time with just leaving you sitting here all day. You’re welcome to watch TV or read any books I have.” He waved his hand toward the wall of shelves.

“I did see a few Star Trek books I haven’t read yet, and also some romances new to me, so I’ll do that.”

Clive perked up fast. “You like Star Trek?”

Bain nodded. “Very much. The movies, too. I really like all the newer ones, but enjoy the older movies as well.”

If anything, Clive lit up even more. “Oh, we could start a marathon! I own them all.”

“All tonight?” Bain loved seeing excitement shine on his face. He again felt that strange warmth in his chest, one that made him want to do everything in his power to make it happen over and over.

“No. I have to be in bed…by ten, but we could start. It’ll help take my mind off things.”

Bain stood and walked to him, then caved to the powerful need to touch him, placing his hands on Clive’s shoulders. Theheat of Clive’s body sent a thrill through Bain that startled him. He let go quickly, worried his body would start to respond to that thrill. “Nobody will get past me. You have no need to worry.”

Clive watched him a moment, then smiled. “After I order the food, I’m going to make you some tea. What’s your favorite kind? I have so many herbal blends I can make anything.”

Bain wasn’t really a fan of tea—especially not herbal. “Black tea is my favorite.”

Clive’s eyebrows lowered, then scrunched. “Just black? But I have so many fun blends. Fruity or spicy. Different mints. Relaxing or peppy.”

“Peppy?” Bain grinned.

Clive shrugged. “Sure. Caffeinated.”

Holy shit, adorable was right. “I’ve never heard caffeinated tea referred to as peppy tea.”

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