Page 55 of Smudged Lines (Tattooed Hearts Duet 2)

“Um, Pop Tarts. It’s not gourmet, but it will suffice. You have seen Pop Tarts before, right?”

“Not those, Peach, those.” He pointed to the thin wooden tongs I held in my hand snapping them at him as I laughed. “Toaster tongs! Aren’t they awesome?”

Simon ate his breakfast silently, watching in amusement. His silver-grey hair laid flat against his head, and I didn’t miss the twinkle in his eyes as he watched us. Zane walked over, handing his brother some coffee. Slade still hadn’t said anything, staring at me.

With the brothers next to one another, I could take them in fully. While they differed a lot, Slade with his darkness and Zane with his brightness, they matched the way they stood, their heights and build were almost the same. They even had similar facial features such as their eyes and nose, and as I watched, even some of the same expressions.

“I think she just realized we were twins,” Zane whispered, causing Slade to lift the corner of his mouth as he drank from the travel mug. He took a long drink before giving me a heated gaze.

“Your oversized chopsticks are ridiculous, Peach, but you’re cute using them, so I guess I’ll leave it. And don’t get any ideas about twin sandwiches. I’m still getting used to the idea of you ’bumping uglies,’ as you say with my brother. So for now, the only sandwich you’re getting is the S&S special.”

“Yes! Which one though, short and sweet?” I grinned.

“No, Peaches, the slip and slide.” He kissed me quick, leaving me breathless with his words as he walked out. Simon almost choked before he walked over and gave me his own farewell. Pulling me close, he held me for a second and kissed me passionately.

“I’m partial to the service and supply myself.” He grinned mischievously. “Love you, Lenn.”

“Love you too, Si.” I laughed back, unable to help myself. “Can you stop and check in on my mom and Noah while you’re there?”

“Of course. Be good.”

“Aren’t I always?” Snickering, he nodded to Zane before heading after Slade.

“And then there were two,” Zane spoke into the quiet room. Nodding, I placed my beloved kitchen utensil on the counter. I found myself nervous all of a sudden, not sure how to act now they were gone. “I uh, do you need more sleep? I’m not even sure what time it is or when you went to bed.”

“It’s just after 6 am. I got about 5 hrs. I’ll take a nap later. It’s fine. Do you want to head over there and get it out of the way, and then maybe we could have breakfast?”

“Yeah, I’d love that. I need a shower, though.”

“You might want to wait until after. I’m not sure how much cleaning is needed.”

“True. Okay, well, I at least need to put pants on.”

He blinked, his eyes dropping and taking in my bare legs. I watched as his Adam's apple bobbed, his heated gaze lifting to me. “Uh, yeah, that’d be good.” He pulled his collar, and inwardly, I relished the fact I affected him.

Winking, I found myself swaying my hips more than usual as I walked off to grab some clothes. I stopped in the doorframe, looking over my shoulder. Zane’s eyes were glued to my butt, and when he noticed I’d stopped, he looked up, his cheeks heating. Smiling, I turned back but left the door open, feeling brave. I hadn’t missed the erection he’d been sporting and knew I was playing with fire, but something in me delighted in it.

Maybe the sex last night had scrambled my brain, making me addicted to dick. Huh, aDICKted. Giggling, I grabbed some clothes, changing quickly, before pulling my hair back. When I exited the room, he’d finished getting dressed too and held out a mug for me. The thoughtfulness of the gesture had my cheeks blazing now.

When I took a sip, I was surprised when it tasted exactly how I liked it. Giving him a curious look, he smiled knowingly.

“Simon told me how to make it.”

“Ah, still, thank you. I like that you’re becoming friends, though.”

“Me too. He’s a good dude.”

“Alright, are we ready to do this?”

“Yep.”

We left the apartment and headed there together, walking down the block in the early morning light, and I felt hopeful things would be okay.

* * *

Stripping the last bed,I huffed as I pulled the heavy comforter to the middle of it. I wadded all the bedding together and took it to the laundry room. Wiping sweat from my brow, I was glad Zane had suggested waiting to shower, considering I dripped sweat now. My face was beet red, and I was a dirty mess. Walking back out into the room, I found Zane gathering the last of the trash bags.

“I think that’s all of the bedding and towels. Geez, I never knew it was so much work to stay at a place like this. Makes hotels seem more appealing.”

---