Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36122 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36122 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“At least I like my own taste in TV.” Russ’s smile was way too adorable.
“That’s the spirit. So, what do you say? All in?”
“I don’t like lying. But since we’re already in this…” Russ shrugged, clearly torn. Deception didn’t come naturally to him, and Esteban respected that. “Okay. But, you have to actually let me help with the event. Put me to work, just like you would a real boyfriend.”
Esteban had to bite back a flirtier reply, because if this was real, there was all sorts of “work” he’d love to have a guy as hot and nice as Russ do. But the last thing they needed was sex complicating things even further.
“This won’t be hard,” he assured them both instead as he handed Russ two plates, keeping three for himself to carry.
“Says you.” Russ gave him an admiring look.
The expression was probably for Esteban’s ability to plate pie and juggle plates, something he’d honed over his years in food service, but it was also nice to think that it might be for his acting chops too. Like maybe Russ appreciated how well Esteban was pulling this off.
Not that playing Russ’s boyfriend took that much acting ability—he was the sort of teddy bear of a guy Esteban had always had a weak spot for—gentle despite a gruff exterior, down-to-earth, caring about others, and completely unaware of his own hotness. Which he was. Damn. Simply watching him walk into the living room was sexy—all the muscles moving in his snug-fitting polo shirt. That body, combined with the tender looks and gestures he gave his family, made Esteban a little weak in the knees.
Russ dragged over a footstool for Judy and produced a fluffy tan throw for Benny before taking one of the oversized armchairs for himself. Esteban could have squeezed onto the couch between Connie and Bob or grabbed a chair from the dining area, but instead he decided to play doting boyfriend, and perched on the edge of Russ’s chair. Mistake. Now he could smell up close the Christmas-y aftershave that had been taunting him all afternoon and feel the warmth rolling off Russ’s body. And Russ’s surprised noise, like he hadn’t expected Esteban in his personal space but wasn’t opposed to it either, made Esteban’s pulse thrum with increased awareness as he wondered what else might coax that noise loose.
“Where did you go to high school?” Bob asked Esteban as he dug into the pie. “You look familiar somehow.”
“I acted in some commercials that were shown nationally. You may have seen my best work advertising extra-soft toilet paper or a well-known allergy medication. But, yes, I went to Portland schools. Central Catholic High School.”
“I remember them from tennis meets.” Bob nodded. “You play any sports?”
“Now I run, but back then I was a total theater geek. No sports for me.” Esteban left out the part where his parents had been dismayed by his choice of extracurriculars. A theater scholarship had eased the sting a little, but his siblings had all played various sports, which his father still liked to reference as accomplishments.
“I think I remember the ads!” Judy sounded delighted. “I did some theater too, but back in Pendleton. Rusty, of course, was all about football until the marine recruiter got to him.”
Russ ducked his head, another adorable blush staining his cheeks. “I wasn’t coordinated or fast enough to play college or pro ball. But I liked being a part of a team. Military made sense.”
“I can see that. And now, I’m going to need uniform photos.” Sensing that Russ didn’t want to dwell on past decisions, Esteban kept his voice light.
“We should help clean up,” Judy said as they finished the pie.
Russ began collecting the plates to take to the kitchen
“Absolutely not,” Esteban scolded, channeling Mami again and the way she wouldn’t dream of letting a guest help. He donned his best smile, the one that usually got him what he wanted. “That’s what I’m here for. To help Russ.”
“That, and you want to be alone.” Judy laughed as she accepted help from Bob to stand up. “I see how it is.”
“Yup.” Esteban wasn’t entirely lying.
He did intend to help, and being alone with Russ would mean more time to plot their next moves. Also, the poor guy looked exhausted—tired eyes and slumping shoulders. A real boyfriend would care that he’d apparently reached his limit of being social, would want to take care of him. Apparently, Esteban was such a good actor he was capable of a genuine surge of tenderness toward Russ.
After the goodbyes were said and the door clicked shut, he wasn’t surprised when Russ leaned against the door, resting his head against the wood detailing.
“You look ready to fall over.” Giving in to his unexpected urge to caretake, Esteban gently steered him back to the chair Judy had exited, pushing down on his shoulder until Russ took the hint and collapsed into the chair, putting his feet up on the footstool.