Page 7 of Basilisk

“Well, it sure makes me feel peppy. I don’t often pick those blends. I much prefer the others. I’ve also combined a few for some really exciting flavors.”

Amused, Bain was sure tea could never be really exciting. “Tell you what. Why don’t you surprise me with something…sweet.” Like him.

Clive beamed. “Done.”

Bain ended up with something that tasted like strawberry dried grass, but he made sure to make a yummy noise just to see the pleasure on Clive’s face. He did, however, enjoy the Chinese food, then the salty popcorn Clive shared with him throughoutStar Trek: The Motion Picture.

The whole time, Clive sat perfectly straight in his seat, legs bent and still, shoulders tensed.

He was just so uptight. Bain found it fascinating; he had the strongest desire to fluster him, to see him disheveled. What would Clive be like when he truly let go? The heat that streaked through Bain at that thought had shock chasing it, and henarrowed his eyes, truly studying the small man. While Bain enjoyed all types of humans, he normally didn’t find himself attracted to the uptight ones. He liked to have fun. Laugh. Get sweaty.

Clive looked like he never got sweaty.

Which, for some reason, made Bain yearn to get him that way.

A lot.

An image of that sexy man glistening and panting filled his head, and the raw need that sent his blood flooding south shocked him. For the first time in all the years he’d worked at Protective Solutions, he wondered if he’d be strong enough to follow the rules. It had never been an issue, but again, something about this man called to Bain in a way he’d never experienced.

He found himself watching Clive more than the movie. When ten o’clock rolled around, the little accountant started twitching. His suggestion of the next movie in the franchise surprised Bain, and about an hour into it, he noticed Clive’s head drooping, his eyes sliding closed.

Oh, man. He wasscared. Too scared to go to bed. Bain wanted to wrap him in his arms and make him feel safe so badly his arms actually ached. He cleared his throat, making Clive jerk fully awake. “Are you nervous about going to bed, Clive?” he asked softly.

He chewed on his lip instead of answering.

Bain studied him, his heart turning over in his chest. “How about I sleep on the floor in your room?”

Clive shook his head. “Oh, no. I couldn’t make you do that. I have a queen-sized bed. We could share.”

Yeah, that was not a good idea. “I’m not sharing a bed with you. I’ve slept worse places than the floor.”

Clive stared at him a long time before he nodded and stood. He turned everything off then walked to a closet in the hallway,Bain following. Clive pulled out two sleeping bags, dropping them on the floor, then grabbing several pillows and a handful of blankets. Bain couldn’t help but wonder why Clive even had sleeping bags if he hardly went anywhere. But he swept them up and followed Clive into his bedroom.

When Clive stacked the sleeping bags and a couple of the blankets, then piled pillows everywhere, Bain realized the sweet man had made him a kind of nest.

“I still think you should take the bed.” Clive stood, shuffling his feet again as he stared at the bedding. “I feel rude making you sleep on the floor.”

“This looks comfy and cozy. I’ll be fine here.”

They settled in, and after a few quiet moments, Clive whispered, “I know this makes me look weak, but I appreciate you doing this. Waking up last night with someone in my house scared me more than I realized.”

“I don’t mind at all.” And he really didn’t. Not if it helped Clive relax. As he settled closer to sleep, he listened to Clive’s breathing. For some weird reason, he found comfort in the sound. He’d awaken instantly if anything in the house changed, so Bain let himself slip away.

Chapter Five

Clive

“It’s Wednesday,” Clive announced as he walked into the living room to find Bain settled in the same chair as the day before. Clive was an early riser, so he’d been surprised to see the bedding on the floor empty when he awakened.

Bain stood to face Clive. Today, the tall man wore a pair of jeans, but they weren’t regular blue ones, no. These were dark purple. They matched the solid purple button down he wore. His belt was a shiny gold color. On anyone else, that outfit would look ridiculous, but Bain pulled it off. He looked long and slinky, and his silver hair was braided off his face, leaving his narrow features sharp and clear.

He took Clive’s breath away.

And it was so surprising because he was nothing like the men who usually attracted Clive. He was flashy and almost too beautiful for this world. He moved in such a sinuous fashion that Clive couldn’t stop staring at him. Everything about him was graceful.

Bain moved toward him slowly, and not for the first time, Clive wished he’d lose the dark glasses so he could see the man’s eyes. “Do you have a light sensitivity or something?”

Bain pointed to his glasses. “You mean these? Yes, I do.” He paused about three feet from Clive. “What’s so special about Wednesday?”

---