I made a mental note to buy soap, toothpaste, and other essentials when I headed into town for my belongings. If we were going to be sharing, I would make damn sure I contributed.
I stepped under the warm spray and sighed. It was soothing on my awakening, sore body. I remained still for a moment with one hand on the tiles, and my head bowed, fantasizing about running a soapy hand over Kyle's hard body. The water cascaded over me. I could have stayed there for hours but water in the outback was a precious commodity and not to be wasted. These parts weren't in drought but there hadn't been an abundance of rain for the past couple of years, so I doubted the tanks would be full. I hurriedly scrubbed myself with the bar of sandalwood soap and rinsed off before stepping out and drying off.
I dressed in a pair of jeans and button-down shirt which had been in the back of my truck. I'd developed a habit over the years of keeping a change of clothes in the back. I peered in the mirror and studied my unruly hair. Normally I kept it short and well-trimmed, but at the moment it hung down to my shoulders and curls stuck out in every direction. I cursed my mother again for passing them on to me. After dragging a comb through the mess, and tying it back in a ponytail, I sighed, it still didn’t look any better. I resolved to have it trimmed when I went into town. After pulling on socks and boots, I traipsed downstairs.
***
Wendy glanced over her shoulder from where she stood making toast for breakfast and gave me a smile. When the toaster popped, sending the toast skyward, she spun around and plucked the slices out of mid-air. I made a note to be careful of the over enthusiastic appliance.
"Mornin'," Kyle greeted. "Help yourself to breakfast, there are three different cereals and toast. Coffee’s made and hot in the pot."
"Morning and thanks." I crossed to where Wendy stood buttering her toast and she opened a cupboard door to her right, revealing cereal boxes. I helped myself to the Corn Flakes and she opened another door where a cupboard held plates, bowls and mugs. She walked away with a plate of toast in one hand and mug of steaming coffee in the other.
"The rest is for you to figure out. Just open and close cupboard doors until you find what you want. When you're finished, rinse the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. Whoever cooks and cleans up at night puts the washer on. We only use it once a day to save water." Wendy instructed before sliding into a chair beside Kyle.
"Got ya." I lowered two pieces of bread into the toaster, replaced the twist tie on the loaf, and started opening cupboard doors to find where it belonged.
"Fridge."
I glanced over my shoulder when Kyle spoke. He'd set his iPad to one side and was sipping his coffee. "It's too warm out here to leave out, it gets moldy."
"Makes sense." I opened the fridge door and found a space on a shelf where it fitted.
I straightened in time to hear the toaster pop and spun around as my slices hit the underside of the cupboard above. Kyle burst into laughter and my groin tightened at the wonderful sound. Wendy growled something about serving me right for not watching, I guessed she was not a morning person. I willed my body to settle, namely my cock, and finished preparing breakfast.
I juggled the plate, bowl and coffee mug as I crossed the room, and after setting them down on the table, sat across from Kyle.
He watched me over the edge of his mug as he sipped at his coffee. "I thought I'd give the books a miss and come into town with you, Luke. There are a few things I need to pick up and it makes sense to only take one vehicle. I can help you do what you need to and keep you company if you don't mind."
Mind? As if! "I planned on being back around lunchtime so you'll still be able to check on the fence. I wouldn't mind the company. I only have a couple of bags to grab from the hotel, some shopping for essentials and Sally needs to be collected from old man Parker’s place."
"Sounds good. When we get back you can saddle up and I'll show you over the property while I check the fence."
***
KYLE
Luke didn't answer but I didn't miss the wince of pain on his face after I'd spoken.
What the fuck am I doing? I need to be as far as possible from this man not making excuses to spend time with him.
With breakfast done, we tidied up, and after a few words with Wendy, Luke and I headed for his truck parked out front. A frown creased my face as I followed slightly behind. For the first time since he’d arrived, I noted Luke walked hunched over as if he was injured. I couldn't help but wonder why.