Page 42 of How to Trust a Hellhound
“Ahh. It means plum blossom. They’re a symbol of resilience and renewal, and the flowers smell both sweet and spicy,” I answered.
“The first building set you gave me,” he murmured, gently petting my chest with his hand.
“Yes. It reminded me of you. Strong and starting anew, and you’re certainly both sweet and spicy.” I ran my hand through his hair again.
“Mmm,” he murmured, obviously pleased.
I sighed as I heard voices in the distance. The light was fading and it was near dinner time, and I could sense Liam and Quinton both coming toward the cabin.
“Mei Ume, we’re going to have company,” I told him.
He sat up. “Shit! We aren’t dressed!” he hissed, getting up and grabbing our clothes, thrusting mine at me as he pulled on his own.
I smiled at his urgency, but I knew Liam would wait respectfully outside until we were ready.
“Get dressed!” he whisper-yelled at me.
I complied, amused to be ordered about. He saw my smile, and he paused, pants undone, to come over and give me a peck on the lips.
We finished dressing, and Josh straightened his hair before he turned his attention to me, brushing out some wrinkles on my shirt and running his hands through my hair.
“There. I don’t think we look like we had sex, right?” he asked.
Liam would be able to smell it on us, but I thought perhaps Ishouldn’t mention that, so I simply nodded my head. He looked very put together.
Liam and Quinton were patiently waiting outside the door, and after Josh’s statement, Liam knocked on the door, calling out, “It’s Liam and Quinton,” for Josh’s benefit.
Josh breathed out, taking a moment to collect himself, then called, “Come in!”
They did, and Quinton’s smirk meant he was probably about to say something inappropriate, but Josh must have known him well enough, because he didn’t let him talk before he started.
“I’d like to rent the cabin, if it’s amenable to you guys. I understand if it isn’t, but if it is, I’d like to know what you’d want for a security deposit, monthly rent, and what you’d like to do about utilities. If you’d prefer to keep them in the family name, I’ll happily pay you the additional cost.” Josh sat on the couch as he spoke, and I slid down next to him.
Quinton and Liam just stood there, looking vaguely confused and off kilter.
“Rent the cabin?” Liam asked. “What for?”
“To live here,” Josh said, raising his eyebrows only slightly.
“But… you already live here. You don’t have to rent it.” Liam looked at me, as if for backup. I just smiled at him.
“Of course I have to pay you rent,” Josh answered. “And sign a lease. Unless you don’t want me staying longer than the month.”
“Don’t be an ass, Josh. Of course we want you staying,” Quinton said, finally chiming in.
Although Liam looked confused, Quinton was looking a little fiery. I sat back, eager to see the drama unfold. Somehow, I had no doubt that Josh would win this battle in some way.
Josh nodded. “Good. Then I’ll need the amounts. Of course, I understand if you need some time to discuss all the details with family. I’m sure your brothers will want to be consulted.”
Liam looked even more confused. “Why would they want to be consulted? I don’t understand. You just said you’re staying.”
“How much to charge me for rent, Liam,” Josh stated slowly, as if he were talking to a child.
“We aren’t charging you rent, you dumbass,” Quinton cut in. “You’re, like, family and shit. Duh.”
“Of course you’re charging me rent. And being family is no excuse not to let me contribute. Families contribute, too,” Josh reasoned.
“Aiden and I don’t pay rent, so are you saying we’re slackers?” Quinton demanded.
