Page 20 of What I've Tasted of Desire

It was difficult to fake being upset at a ‘mistake’ as I stood there grinning like the fucking Cheshire cat. I tried to school my features into subordination.

“The office is constantly messing these things up,” I told him, just as I’d rehearsed. “Want me to get these installed today, and then I can see about getting the last two over here?”

Alex nodded and silence fell between us again as we just… looked at each other. He was so beautiful. When Alex’s entire face and neck were the color of a fire engine, he looked away.

He’s smitten…

“So, where would you like the first ones installed,” I asked conversationally, hoping he would show me.

“Oh,” he mused, handing me a copy of the installation plans. I’d already memorized them, but I took the sheet from him and looked it over.

“Okay. Looks like they want one in the kitchen, one in the hall, one in the utility room by the breaker box, two upstairs in each bedroom, and one in the attic. Sound right?”

“Yep,” he replied after a moment, nodding his head to give me one more look at those bouncing curls. Instead of telling me which ones he’d prefer be installed first, he simply turned around and scurried away.

I chuckled softly and picked up the extinguishers to get to work. I figured I would start upstairs and give Alex a few minutes to collect himself.

Besides, I’d been dying to see his room. I decided to start with the spare room and get it out of the way quickly, so I could spend more time in Alex’s room. I followed the plans and installed the bracket on the wall, six inches from the door frame. Easy-peasy. The whole thing took perhaps four minutes.

If I wasn’t already financially sound, I would pursue a career hanging these things. The amount of money the city was paying for the install was astronomical. When I first saw the invoice come through Alex’s email, I was gobsmacked. Almost $350 for six brackets! The worst part was just lugging the heavy things around all over the place.

I walked back into the hallway, closing the bedroom door behind me as I approached Alex’s door. There was no one in the hallway, and I couldn’t hear anyone coming up the stairs, so I took my time. I’d been in the room before Alex had moved in, but I hadn’t seen it since he’d started making Westing House his home. After giving myself a moment to luxuriate in the anticipation, I turned the handle, and let the door swing open on its own, old brass hinges giving off a creaky protest.

It smelled like him in here.

Before I had even fully entered the room, I could smell him. I took a slow look around the space as I entered. The bed had been set up along the far wall, opposite the window. With the metal frame and taupe sheets, it was more utilitarian than sensual. He hadn’t put any curtains or blinds on the window yet, which had worked out well for me the last couple of nights.

The house across the street was abandoned, much like Westing House had been, and I wondered if the city would be wanting to renovate it next. For now, it served as a great spot to watch over Alex.

I could see him clearly from the other house's upper windows as long as he had his light on. Sometimes he liked to just lie in the dark and watch silly videos on TikTok before bed. I couldn’t see him when the room was dark like that. Alex was normally an early riser, so the sun coming in through the windows never seems to bother him.

I set the extinguisher down as I walked further into his space. He’d left his closet door open, and I moved closer to it. I hesitantly reached up towards a navy long-sleeved shirt with a small hole in the armpit. It was the shirt he had been wearing the first time I ever saw him, and I pinched the fabric between my fingers. The material was soft, and somehow seemed to vibrate with Alex’s energy.

I leaned over and inhaled the scent of the fabric.

“Can I help you with something?”

Every muscle in my body froze as I quickly turned around to see Mike framed in the doorway; his arms crossed over his chest and a scowl plastered across his face.

“Uh, yeah. I was just looking for the best place to hang this thing up,” I said with a quick smile as I gestured towards the extinguisher. “Most people want them kept out of sight when possible, and I find closets are normally the best bet.”

I turned back towards the closet, pushed the hanging clothes to the side, and bent down.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s a stud back here…” I made a few bullshit taps with my knuckles.

“I’d think they would send you with a stud-finder,” Mike replied gruffly, before narrowing his eyes at me as he turned around and walked down the hallway.

“Well, alrighty, then,” I muttered under my breath before figuring out where I wasactuallygoing to install it. “Mind your own fuckin’ business, Mr. Fix It.”

I finished the install and took one lastlonglook at Alex’s new sanctuary before closing his door and heading back downstairs. I hung the last hanger in the kitchen and walked back down the hallway towards the front entrance. I knew exactly where Alex’s office was, but no one else knew that, so I meandered along until I came face to face with Robert again and asked him where I would find Alex.

“Just ‘round the corner next to the kitchen,” he answered, a genial grin spreading under his impressive salt-and-pepper mustache. Robert really was a genuinely nice guy, and I was relieved that Alex had such a stand-up man helping him with the project.

I made my way back towards the kitchen and put a big smile on my face as I poked my head around the corner into Alex’s office.

“All finished,” I announced, “Well, with the four I had, anyway.”

I watched Alex bite his lip to stave off a nervous grin as he turned his head to the side.

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