Nothing to Gain (Learning the Ropes #2) - E.M. Denning Page 0,29
Linden’s arrival. It was stupid of him to put so much effort in, but he couldn’t stop himself.
Linden was worth it even if he was only Brett’s friend. Even if he was dating Ricky, it didn’t change the way Brett felt about him. But as the hours ticked by and it came closer to when Linden would show up, Brett had second thoughts about his grand gesture.
It was his luck, good or bad he didn’t know, that Linden sent a text saying that he was at the back door. He could undo nothing now. Brett took a deep breath and hurried down the stairs to let him in. There was an outside entrance Brett seldom used. The stairs leading up the side of the building were metal, and Brett often wore shoes that weren’t compatible with the grating on the treads.
Brett yanked the backdoor open and Linden walked in, his arms weighed down by grocery bags.
“What’s this?” Brett locked the back door and took a couple bags from Linden.
“Dinner.” Linden grinned at him. He pushed his hoodie off with his free hand and raked his fingers through the damp-looking strands. “I’d hug you, but I got caught in a bit of a downpour on the way over.”
Brett realized then that Linden was wet, almost soaked through. “Let’s get you upstairs and into something warm.”
Brett went up the stairs first so he wouldn’t be tempted to stare at Linden’s ass the whole way up.
“Aren’t you going to ask what I’m making?”
“I assume you’re making potato soup and buns?”
“Oh, he does remember.”
Brett remembered everything Linden had ever told him. But instead of admitting that, he walked into his apartment and put the bags on the counter. “I never forget a promise that includes food.”
Linden put the remaining bag down, then peeled his hoodie off. He shivered and Brett saw the goosebumps on his arms make the dark hairs stand on end.
“Let me get you something to change into.”
Brett returned in a moment with a pair of flannel sleep pants in a pastel pink plaid and a long-sleeved shirt.
“Here.” Brett handed him the clothes. “I’ll put your stuff in the dryer when you’re done changing.”
“Thanks.” Linden took the clothes and returned a minute later. His hair was partly dry now and slightly fluffy. Brett wanted to tame it with his fingers, comb it smooth. Put his hands on Linden’s wind burned cheeks and pull him in for a kiss.
“Can I help?” Brett asked.
Linden unpacked the groceries he’d bought. “I need things. A pot, knife, cutting board.”
Brett rummaged in the cupboard and gathered the essentials Linden asked for.
“Anything else?”
“Tell me about your Christmas. How was it?” Linden chopped bacon with effortless movements that showcased how comfortable in a kitchen he was.
“It was great. Ansel and I spent Christmas Eve at Eric and Caleb’s. They cooked us a fabulous meal.”
“Any more trouble from your brother?”
“He called to wish me a happy holiday. I could tell it disappointed him that I didn’t show up.” Brett shrugged.
The pot sizzled when Linden tossed the bacon in. He fetched a wooden spoon from the container on the counter and gave the bacon a stir. He washed the knife and the cutting board, then chopped onion and garlic.
“It’s already smelling amazing in here.”
“It’s the bacon.”
“Did your dad spoil you?”
Linden grinned and paused his chopping to pull out his cell phone. “He got me a ton of gift cards for music. I downloaded a bunch of new stuff.” He unlocked his phone and passed it over to Brett. “You can check it out if you want.”
Brett took Linden’s phone and his heart did a funny wiggle when he saw that Linden’s wallpaper was a picture of them. Well, their feet. It was after one of the many pedicures he’d given Linden. They’d chosen matching nail polishes that day, and Linden snapped a picture.
Linden scraped the bacon out of the pot and onto a plate. He put the chopped onions and garlic in the pot and sauteed them. Brett didn’t pay much attention after that. He admired the wallpaper on Linden’s phone, wondering what it meant. He hoped it meant he was important to Linden. But Brett knew he was reading too much into it.
“I like your wallpaper.” Brett couldn’t keep the smile off his face.
“One day I’m going to take us for proper pedicures.” Linden promised.
Brett buried himself in Linden’s phone so he wouldn’t obsess over all the things Linden kept promising. He hadn’t expected Linden to follow through when he’d