Page 27 of Insatiable Hunger

Elias: You sure you’re not going to shove it down my throat and choke me with it? Seems more on par for you than generosity.

Setting the phone down, I run a hand down my face, grinding my molars. Why can’t he ever be serious? And why must he always be such a fucking smartass? It’s like heenjoysgetting under my skin.

Me: Yes or no, Elias? The games and the snide remarks really aren’t necessary.

Elias: Yes.

Elias: Anything but pineapple.

**

It wasn’t until it was time for me to order the pizza that I realized just how long it’s been since I’ve eaten it. Hilda normally cooks, but I gave her the night off when I remembered Valerie would be out of town. Plus, pizza sounded delicious.

There’s a nice, authentic style pizza place down the street from the office that I called in an order to. With the pizzas secured in my passenger seat, the hot, cheesy, marinara aroma simmering in my car, I’m on my way home.

My eyes flit to the clock on the dash. It’s only a quarter past five. I can’t remember the last time I got off this early, but it was surprisingly a light day as far as work goes. Can’t say the same about tomorrow, though. I’ll be in meetings damn near the whole day. A fact I’m rather grateful for now. It’ll hopefully keep my mind distracted from everything going on at home.

Pulling into the driveway, I park on the side of the house, as I always do, thankful not to see the obnoxious green car in my driveway this time. Looking back, I should’ve known that car belonged to Jordan. I remember when he first got it; it was all he talked about in the office. But I never thought he and Elias would know each other.

How did they meet anyway?

Pizzas in hand, I head inside, the house quiet upon entry. Having the evening off, Hilda probably went to her daughter’s house on the outskirts of town. I didn’t see her car parked out front. Setting the pizza on the island in the kitchen, movement catches my eye, so I walk over to the sink and look out the window that overlooks the backyard. More specifically, the pool.

Elias is submerged in the water, nothing more than a Speedo on as he swims from one end of the pool to the other. I can’t see too much of his body, with him being underwater, but I can see the way his back muscles bunch and stretch with each stroke, and when he stops and wipes the water off his face, the smile on his face is bright.

It isn’t until I track his line of sight that I notice he isn’t alone. Katie is lying on one of the long folding chairs, and she appears to be sunbathing. Didn’t realize he had company. He must’ve picked her up because her car isn’t here. Glad I got two pizzas.

After allowing myself to watch him for a few more moments, I shove away from the counter and stroll over to the backdoor. Pulling it open, two sets of eyes snap to me. “Pizza is here.”

“Hi, Zeke,” Katie says cheerfully as she stands up and grabs at the pile of clothes on the other chair.

“Hello, Katie.” My gaze flits to Elias as he’s pulling himself out of the pool. “Elias.”

Back inside, I grab three plates out of the cabinet before reaching for the bottle of scotch and a glass. Pouring myself two fingers, I take a sip while they dish up. Once they’ve gotten theirs and have taken a seat, I pour myself another two fingers and grab my own pizza, joining them at the dining room table.

“How was work?” The question comes from Katie.

I don’t know her all that well. She’s Valerie’s niece, so she’s come around here and there, but we’ve never really spoken about anything other than surface level shit. She and Elias are close, though. That much I do know.

“No complaints here,” I reply before taking a bite of the taco pizza. “You guys have a nice day?”

This feels awkward for no damn reason.

Every once in a while, my gaze will connect with Elias’s, but his expression is unreadable. I find myself wishing we were alone. I need to make sure he’s okay and that I didn’t hurt him. Crossing that boundary without previous discussion is not okay. It’s never okay.

By the time we’re finished eating, it’s close to seven and Elias takes Katie home. Apparently, she has other plans tonight. The tension in the room grows to stifling levels once Elias is back and we’re alone. He’s standing at the bar, with me at the sink having just loaded the dishwasher. I don’t have a clue how to begin this conversation, feeling a level of angst I don’t normally have.

Drying my hands on the dish towel, I set it beside the sink and ask, “Want to watch a movie?”

I feel like a teenager, but it’s the only thing I can think that will mellow out the tension. Besides, the media room seems to be the only place we don’t have any issues… yet. So maybe it’s the best space to have a conversation with him.

If he finds the question odd at all, he doesn’t show it. Nodding, he replies, “Sure.”

Chapter Fourteen

Zeke Alvarez

The scotch swirls around in my rocks glass where it sits on my knee as I rest my head on the back of the couch. Elias is on his second Truly, and despite him being on the opposite end of the couch, I’m hyper aware of his every move. He changed before we put on a movie, and while he’s not wearing tiny shorts and a crop top this time, what he’s wearing is still mouthwatering—a pair of light blue joggers with a tight white tee. Both items of clothing hug his form immaculately. He has a nice bubble butt—one I happen to know first-hand feels firm and tight in my grip—and with the air conditioning, he must be a little chilly, because his nipples are hard and visible through his shirt—something I shouldn’t notice but do.

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