Page 106 of Enchanted

And you know what?

I liked it too.

Later, Rami and I were walking around the grounds, trying to burn off some of the epic amounts of food we’d put away at breakfast. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves high above us as we strolled hand in hand beneath the canopy.

“So,” I asked tentatively, “how’d you think it went?”

“I think both Nate and Theo would try and entice you away given half a chance,” he groused. “They liked you far too much for me to be comfortable with.”

I nudged him with my shoulder. “Nah. You keep me too busy for anyone else.”

“Good. Remember that, because they’re charming gits when they want to be.”

“I refuse to believe they’re as charming as you.”

“That’s because you’ve got excellent taste.” He lifted our clasped hands and kissed mine. “Everyone loved you, but I know there wasn’t a lot of time for you to chat to them all.”

“I don’t know, I had a great discussion with Noah about art. Sam had lots of questions about living in California, so that was fun to talk about.”

“I’m glad you had a nice time. Means you’ll come again.”

I cocked my head at him. “Was that in doubt?”

He hummed. “I’d like to think not, but…Listen, I love everyone in that house as though they were my blood relations. But there’s no denying that they’re a lot. Especially gathered together like they were then. I wouldn’t blame you if you felt like it was a bit overwhelming.”

“It was, but in the best possible way. I’ve spent so long alone that it was nice to be surrounded for once. Even if I wasn’t actively part of every conversation, I was there. I was included. That…that hasn’t happened for me in a long time.”

“Even before you were sick?”

“Especially then.” I gave a brittle laugh. “I didn’t have friends in California. Dave did, and sure, they’d let me tag along, but I was never part of the group. I was tolerated, not included. Today…well, today was the opposite of that.”

“I’m so glad. I want you to feel comfortable here, Eth.”

“I do,” I said, surprising myself. “Everyone’s so welcoming. Even the twins, in their own twisted way.”

“I’d like to twist their limbs in one way or another,” Rami muttered darkly. “At least they kept their clothes on this time.”

I stopped walking as an idea suddenly occurred to me. Here we were, no one else in sight. Completely alone. “Speaking of keeping clothes on…or not…”

Rami stopped walking and turned to face me. His lips slowly stretched into a grin. “Whatcha thinking, Eth?”

I shifted on my feet. Could I ask for what I wanted? Could I be brave? I already knew Rami wouldn’t judge me for it.

Come on, Ethan. You’ve got one life. Grab it by the balls.

Or, rather, grab Rami by the balls.

Consensually, of course.

“I was just thinking,” I said coyly, closing the gap between us and sliding my hands up his chest. “These woods seem pretty secluded.”

“Completely private.” He lowered his lips until they were just a breath above mine. “No one comes here except my housemates. And they’re all occupied right now.”

Oh fuck, I was doing this. I was. My breath hitched as heat pooled in my groin. “There’s not a bed in sight, either.”

“Heaven forbid.”

He ducked his head to kiss me, but there was something else I wanted right now, and if he kissed me, we’d never get around to it. Being around him made me too easily distracted.