Page 48 of Knot That Serious

She refrained from pointing out that they were about to spend what was likely an entire weekend seeing each other naked, so it didn’t matter if he knocked. But she appreciated the gesture anyway.

Jack pulled out the other supplies, and Eli finally lifted herself off the couch and disposed of the orange peel before making her way to her bedroom, then to the en suite bathroom.

She cranked the hot water on and watched as steam curled through the air.

From the small shelf, she gathered her favorite bubbles and sugar scrub, and poured a liberal amount into the tub.

By the time the bubbles were thick and piled high like in the movies, Eli had stripped and melted into the hot water, keeping her hands dry for—

A knock sounded at the door, and she called out for Jack to enter.

He came in with a hand covering his eyes, the other extended out long with a single joint perched between his thumb and forefinger. She couldn’t help but giggle at his antics.

“There’s so many bubbles in here. You’re safe,” she told him.

“Oh.” Jack dropped his palm and finally took her in. He swallowed sharply, gaze landing somewhere around her shoulders.

“A little bare shoulder turns you on, Jack? You that easy?” she teased, and reached out a hand.

“Pfft,” he scoffed. “No.” But his eyes lingered anyway.

He stepped further into the bathroom and pushed the joint into her hand.

“Did you bring a lighter?”

He dug into his pocket before producing the item, and Eli placed the joint between her lips.

“Sit,” she said, and pointed to the floor. “I’ll share.”

Jack shifted as if afraid she’d bite, but he joined her, back bracing against the side of the tub near her feet, not even facing her. His side profile was visible, and she studied him as she inhaled, lighting the end and watching it flare bright red.

Smoke trailed through the bathroom, and she chuckled. “We’re hot boxing.”

Jack snorted, reached a hand out to accept it when she offered. “We are.”

“Does Beckett smoke?” she asked. If he was here, would he slot right in beside Jack and trade hits with her?

He twirled the joint between his fingers, answering, “I don’t know, actually; it hasn’t come up.”

Eli watched dutifully as Jack’s lips curled around the end of the joint and wondered how they’d feel on her skin.

“Guess we’ll find out soon enough,” she murmured.

Jack exhaled and held it out to her, and their fingers brushed as she accepted it. “He texted me just a few minutes ago. He’s off work. Said he was gonna grab some stuff and then come over.”

When Eli blew out the smoke, it was shaky. “Great.”

Jack chuckled. “Beckett’s gonna be awesome. He’s really…” Jack’s words trailed off, and Eli gaped at him as the blush colored his cheeks.

“Oh my god, you’re totally dickmatized,” she breathed.

“Dickma—what? No, I’m not,” he answered too hastily, retrieving the joint from her with deft fingers.

“Ooo,” she cooed in a sing-song tone. “Jacky’s got it bad.”

She liked this. The easy teasing, like always. This was normal for them. She’d missed it.

“So what?” he answered, staring at the lit end of the joint. “You’ll see. He’s fucking – he’s something else, in bed, y’know,” he stammered.

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