Page 48 of The Husband Game

“Sounds to me like you’re the sap,” Charlie said lightly but he squeezed back.

Dustin chuckled, liking the feel of Charlie’s narrow fingers tucked into his. “Maybe I am.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The bedroom was empty when Charlie awoke the following morning. He had a vague memory of Dustin slipping out of bed at some point and tiptoeing toward the bathroom, but he’d quickly fallen back to sleep.

Now, Charlie got out of bed and went to relieve his bladder. He hadn’t had any alcohol at the party, but he’d had a lot of water and now he was about to burst.

He jerked in surprise when he realized Dustin stood at the bathroom sink, wearing nothing but a towel as he carefully shaved.

“Morning,” Dustin said with a little smile. “How’d you sleep?”

“Uhh. Fine?” Charlie averted his eyes from the smooth planes of Dustin’s back. The marks he’d left were fading to a soft, barely detectable pink. “You?”

“Great. Got up early so Matty and I could squeeze in a morning workout.”

“Is that your, um, usual routine?” Charlie shuffled a bit, cold and needing to pee but not wanting to do it with Dustin there.

“Yeah, during the off-season for sure.” Dustin tilted his head back, carefully maneuvering the razor around his Adam’s apple.

“Okay. Um, how much longer do you think you’ll be using the bathroom?”

“I dunno. Ten minutes? Why? You need in here? There’s plenty of space for both of us.” He gestured to the double sinks and wide vanity.

“I, uh …”

“Charlie.” Dustin set down his razor and turned to face him, leaning against the counter. Charlie tried to keep his gaze on Dustin’s face and not lower it to the loosely knotted towel around his waist Charlie had the nearly overwhelming urge to tug on.

“I want us to get used to living together. This is your house now too. You aren’t a guest here. If you need to use the bathroom, use it. Hop in the shower. Shove me out of the way to get at your toiletries. Whatever you need.” He hesitated, brow furrowing. “One of us can use the second-floor bathroom if it’s a deal breaker for you but I’d like both of us to feel comfortable sharing a home.”

“You’re right. We do need to get used to being in each other’s space,” Charlie said firmly.

Dustin smiled. “Good. It’s settled then.”

With that, Charlie fled for the toilet, grateful it was tucked into a private little water closet away from everything else.

There was togetherness and there was togetherness.

Dustin was rinsing out the sink when he came out to wash his hands. “You gonna shower?”

“Yeah.” Charlie realized he wore nothing but the briefs he’d slept in and had a moment of panic before he realized this was exactly what Dustin meant.

He needed to stop worrying about how awkward this felt and treat it like it was their normal morning routine.

This was what their future was going to look like. At least for the next year.

Charlie pulled open the door on the clear glass shower surround and cranked on the handle until the water flowed, already beginning to steam. He pulled off his briefs and let them fall to the bathroom floor, then slipped inside the shower.

Dustin glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. He froze, hand towel poised mid-wipe on the counter, then looked away. He cleared his throat. “I think I’m done in here. Enjoy your shower.”

“Thanks!” Charlie reached for his shampoo, humming to himself at the little zing of pleasure that went through him at the feel of Dustin’s heated gaze on his skin.

No, they weren’t having sex but it still was nice to feel wanted.

“Uh, Matty is downstairs cooking breakfast. Want us to wait for you?” Dustin called over the rush of the water.

Charlie’s stomach tightened and he shook his head. “No. No reason to. I have kind of a long morning routine with the makeup and all that. I’ll grab something quick once I’m ready.”

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