“You’re spoiling me.”
“You deserve it.” On that warm note, Garrick left him to peel off his soggy clothes. Damn. Even the sexy purple underwear he’d worn hoping for a chance to tease Garrick had gotten soaked.
Cranking the shower to hot, he rummaged under the sink to find a bodywash from the eclectic collection that was too big to simply be his mom and sister visiting. He picked a fun beachy scent, hoping it didn’t have a bad association with one of Garrick’s exes, and took his time in the shower. The warm water pounded his chilled skin until he was nice and warm and relaxed. When he exited the shower, the aroma of brownies greeted him.
“Go ahead and crawl under the covers if you want,” Garrick called. “I’ll bring the snack and my laptop.”
“Sure thing.” Rain scampered across to Garrick’s room, where he had to smile at how Garrick had readied the space for him. The fire was going, lights dimmed, and bed covers turned back. Grateful, he kept the robe on and slipped beneath the puffy mountain of covers, continuing to towel off his hair. He needed a comb, but his fingers would have to do.
“I could get used to this,” he teased as Garrick placed his laptop and a plate with two brownies on the rolling tray table next to his side of the bed.
“Good. But if you want milk, you’ll have to get it yourself. I’ve learned the hard way not to attempt uncovered liquids in the chair, but I did make sure Dad brought in some coconut milk with the rest of my groceries if you want it.”
“Nah. I’m staying put. But thanks.”
“Anytime.” Garrick transferred to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Wait. You’re way overdressed.” Rain gestured at Garrick’s work clothes.
“You just want me naked.”
“Guilty. But don’t make me come over there and do it with my teeth. Or rather do exactly that. Please.”
“Okay, okay. I’m on it.” Garrick used a nifty grabbing tool to pull off his shoes, then wiggled out of his pants and shirt, leaving him in blue boxer briefs.
“Now that’s more like it. Although I can’t believe you turned down my kind offer of assistance...” Giving a flirty wink, he couldn’t help leering as Garrick climbed under the covers. Damn. Those muscles.
“Trust me, I’m amazed at my restraint too.” Laughing, Garrick arranged himself as easily as if they planned a cuddle party like this every weekend. Rain scooted closer while Cookie found her way to her bed with a mighty harrumph.
“I thought you’re not much on TV.” Rain gestured at the laptop.
“I’m not. But every time we work out, you keep talking about all those reality shows I never watch. Pick one to educate me on all the pop culture I’m missing.”
“Yes, Grandpa. I’ll show you what us youngsters are into these days.” Rain deliberately made his voice more country, earning another laugh from Garrick, who tossed an arm around him and hauled him closer so that Rain could scroll around the laptop. The warm weight of Garrick’s arm on his back made him tempted to suggest porn, but he didn’t want to ruin this cozy little cocoon by bringing up sex too soon either. He picked a show he thought Garrick would appreciate—ridiculously fit people attempting wacky obstacle courses. “Here. Maybe you’ll get more ideas for my workouts, but I draw the limit at dodging inflatable pylons.”
“Hey, if you have your way, you’ll soon be dodging burning debris. Don’t make light of things that improve your reflexes. They might be the one thing keeping you alive.”
“True that.” Maybe he should have gone for a lighter show, one with relationship drama or petty squabbles, but before he could change the selection, Garrick pulled him in tighter, settling him against his chest, and Rain decided he could endure even the worst TV if it meant getting to stay right there as long as possible. Garrick smelled like the woodsy aftershave he favored on the days when he shaved, but he already had some sexy stubble going, and his body was warm and solid behind Rain. He started absently finger combing Rain’s still damp hair.
“I love your hair down like this.”
“It’s kind of a wet mess.” Rain’s face heated at the compliment. As much as he enjoyed dishing them out, getting them always felt weird.
“Beautiful mess.” Garrick blessed him with a kiss on the top of his head, and yeah, he wasn’t moving, not even for brownies, but eventually partway through the second challenge Garrick stretched and retrieved the plate, feeding a bite to Rain.
“If you keep taking such good care of me, you’re not getting rid of me anytime soon.”
“Good.” Garrick kissed the side of his head. Him free with the kisses like this was worth any number of rainstorms. Hell, Rain would happily endure snow—