His eyes gleam and I huff. "That was a terrible joke."
"No more than you comparing my dick to atortiglioni."
"Hey, you’re the one who started it with your food porn talk."
"Had to come up with a comparison to get you on the right track," he explains.
"And how did I do?"
"You passed with flying colors." He smirks. "In fact, I think you should move into this room with me so whenever the mood strikes, we can trade more food porn talk.”
"Hmm, no," I glance around the room, "I don’t want to be the third wheel when you are 'working out,'" I make air quotes with my fingers, "with Sheena."
"So you met her, eh?"
"Not like I had a choice. She came to my room and introduced herself, and speaking of, I’d better get out of here before she comes back."
"She’s not coming back tonight." He tightens his arms around me. "I’m done with the physiotherapy sessions for the day, though I do need to have a bath."
"So go have a bath," I murmur.
"I am going to need help; I am not strong enough to bathe myself."
"A likely story," I huff.
"Would I lie to you?" His voice rumbles under my cheek.
"You know you’d lie to get your way with me every single time." I sit up, and this time, he doesn’t stop me. I take in his features, the slight flush in his cheeks which hadn’t been there earlier, the way his hair is mussed up as if he’s been running his hands through it. Overall, he looks healthier and more relaxed. If I hadn’t seen him shot with my own eyes and then tried to stop him from crumpling to the ground, I wouldn’t have believed it myself. He looks so much healthier, so much more like Xander. I bite the inside of my cheek.
"What’s wrong?" He scowls, "What did you think just then?"
I shoot him an annoyed glance, "Jeez, can’t I have some privacy with my own thoughts, or what?"
"No," he snaps, "tell me what went through your mind just then."
"Xander," I hunch my shoulders, "I couldn’t help thinking how much you look like him when you’re relaxed."
"But I am not him."
"Of course, I know that, and I have accepted it. In some ways, that makes it worse, though."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing." I glance away. "I need to go."
"Not until you tell me what you’re thinking about."
I push off his chest, but he grabs my arm and hauls me close, "Look at me, Sunshine."
I turn to glance at him. He peers into my features then nods, "Now, tell me what’s troubling you."
"You," I burst out. "You’re troubling me. I should be mourning Xander. Instead, I can’t stop myself from tumbling into bed with his triplet. One who looks so very like him. It feels like I am being unfaithful to his memory."
He holds my gaze. "That’s understandable," he finally says. "It hasn’t been that long since he died, so his memory is still fresh in your mind. But why did he not claim you as his when he was alive?"
I open and shut my mouth, "You know what? I am not having this conversation with you." I try to pull away but his grip tightens.
"You’ll leave when I allow it." The low hush of his voice causes that same strange feeling to coil in my chest.