Page 42 of Pandora's Pain
“Hope?” Ashton called out.
“Coming!” I shouted back, hopping off the toilet and quickly filling a glass full of water. I hoped this would work. I didn’t want Zavier to actually have been affected by my box. If he was… It didn’t bear thinking about.
I rushed back and handed the water to Ashton, who unceremoniously dumped it over Zavier’s head.
We waited for a couple of seconds and were rewarded with Zavier’s eyes snapping open and fixing on Ashton. “Again? Really?” he demanded.
“We tried everything else,” Ashton said, shrugging.
Zavier’s eyes slipped to me, and I wondered whether or not he’d reveal my secret to Ashton. Or if he even believed it himself, yet. There was a good chance he didn’t. Though the box thing probably helped a little on that front.
Oh gods, what if he didn’t remember it at all?
“Are you okay, Hope?” he asked me, confirming his willingness to play along with my cover story. At least, he was for now.
I suspected I’d have a lot of questions to answer once we were alone together again.
“Yes, just worried about you,” I answered, the relief I was feeling slipping through my words. If my luck held then Ashton would just think it was because Zavier had come around.
“Always a good thing.” He laughed a little and reached to cup my cheek.
I stayed as still as possible, slightly surprised by the gesture. Zavier hadn’t shown that much affection for me in front of Ashton before. And from what he said earlier, I’d assumed he didn’t want Ashton to even know he had any. But now…
“I see you two have bonded a little,” Ashton joked, getting to his feet. “But more time for that later. I have a show to get to. Things to get ready.”
“So do we,” Zavier added, pushing himself up so he was propped on his elbows.
He looked good like this. Of course, he’d look better if I was straddling his hips and leaning in to kiss him. And if he was naked. I bet he was glorious naked. All toned male flesh and tanned skin.
“Earth to Hope?” Ashton said, waving his hand in front of my face. “We need to get going.”
“Sorry,” I said, snapping out of the daydream I was having and only a little disappointed it had to end. I’d been having fun there.
All good things must come to an end.
“Come to dinner with me.” Zavier’s chest rose and fell with heaving breaths.
From the corner of his eye, Ashton paused to look at this friend.
“If you’re done with work, and if Ashton doesn’t mind.” It was a testing statement. I spoke it carefully. Did Ashton mind?
“I still have to have that conversation with my IT department that I’m dreading, but after that I’m all free.”
The corners of my lips pulled into a small smile. The IT department would be thanking me, I was sure. Those were top quality films. Superb acting. Nothing but the best. If I could leave a YELP review for a porno, I would.
My gaze skimmed toward Ashton.
The real issue was, did Ashton mind? I trusted Zavier now and I hoped he trusted me too.
“I don’t mind at all.” His gaze was warm across my features as he took a step closer to me. “Meet me back at the room tonight? Hang out for a while, if it’s not too late?”
I suddenly realized I was so close to both of them, my arms nearly touching both of their firm chests. Zavier’s crisp button down and Ashton’s soft and worn tee shirt.
How would this end?
Not in a box. That much I was sure of.
Chapter Sixteen
