Page 106 of I Think They Love You

“That’s disappointing. The dessert part, I mean.” Braylon motions behind himself. “Do you need to—?”

Denz sucks in a sharp breath. “Brush my teeth,” he gets out. “And, like… get ready for bed. Tosleep. In the bed. Nothing else.” He feigns a loud, obnoxious yawn. “Wow, I’m so exhausted.”

“All yours, then.”

Denz shifts anxiously around Braylon. He almost slips on the condensation-slick floor before kicking the bathroom door closed. With a shaky hand, he wipes the fog off the mirror, glaring at his reflection.

“Reality check,” he whispers to Mirror Denz. “You’ve seen him half-naked before.”

Mirror Denz looks incredulous.

“Damn it, he’s had your dick in his mouth,” Denz grumbles. “The bed is huge. Sleeping next to him isnothing.”

Again, Mirror Denz fails to agree.

On the gray marble counter are rows of products. Not the freebies hotels provide. Instead, there are different deodorant brands. A brand-new toothbrush next to two toothpaste options. An unscented travel lotion with, according to the ingredients, shea butter and green tea.

Denz is caught off guard by his own helpless smile.

Braylon took the time to search out a variety of toiletries for him to choose from. Because he knows Denz hates complimentary hotel products. Or has breakouts from their generic ingredients.It’s enough for him to strip down to his boxers. He washes his face with the matcha hemp cleanser Braylon selected. Brushes his teeth. Throws up finger guns and winks at Mirror Denz before exiting the bathroom.

He finds Braylon sitting on the edge of the bed. In his lap is the bag from the hotel shop.

“Oh.”

Braylon’s eyes trace from Denz’s toes, upward. They stray on his hips, the hair along his stomach, his chest muscles. He whispers, “It’s, uh… not cheesecake.”

He empties out the contents. A box of condoms. The world’s most overpriced travel lube bottle.

Denz wants to throw up, scream, and set the entire hotel on fire. Embarrassed, he rubs the back of his skull. He forces himself to maintain eye contact as he says, “So, earlier. While you were gone. I was thinking—”

“Your first mistake.”

He ignores the sarcastic twist to Braylon’s lips. “Between the party and, I dunno,” he manages, sighing. “We kissed. And it was—good?”

The corners of Braylon’s eyes crinkle a little.

“Then, I thought, well…” Denz’s nose scrunches.“Whatifwehadsex?”

It tumbles out in an unintelligible whoosh. Five words crammed into one.

The silence is expected.

Braylon, doubled over laughing, is not.

“Okay,” Denz says, even more flustered. “Thanks for confirming I have the worst ideas.”

“N-no, that’s—”

“Enjoy the bed,” Denz insists. “I’m just gonna go drown myself in the shower.”

Strong, determined fingers wrap around Denz’s wrist before he can stomp away. He staggers backward. Braylon steadies him.He catches Denz between his knees. His amused brown eyes stare up at Denz.

“I thought the same thing,” Braylon says.

“You…did?”

“The party. The thing with my boss and your dad. Dancing. The kiss.” Braylon’s chin dips. “Me and you and sex. Tonight.”

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