I stack the last individual serving in the freezer as she fills up the dishwasher. This is all so domestic.

I love it.

I want Holly here all the time. We work well together, evenly dividing up tasks, joking and talking the whole time. The fact that she’ll be heading back to her own apartment later casts a dim light over the rest of my night. Life is brighter when she’s around.

“I can’t believe how fast that went.” Holly dries her hands on a dish towel before hanging it on the oven handle. “We have so much free time now!” She throws her arms in the air and spins around, her socks and the hardwood floor making the action smooth, like a dancer.

Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I laugh at her antics.

She slides up to me, letting her arms fall, and grabs my hands. “Come on. I’ve only seen your kitchen. Show me the rest of your house.”

The rest of the house. Like my bedroom.

I breathe in deep and try to clear my brain of all its X-rated ideas and instead act like a civilized host. “Yeah, sure.”

We start in the living room where a decent-sized TV acts as the focal point with two couches and a lounge chair facing the screen. Jasper’s gaming systems are tucked inside the entertainment center, less because of a propensity for neatness and more because he’d turn into a full-on rage monster if someone accidentally broke one.

“This is where we hang out and do manly things, like play video games and watch action movies.”

“Ah, yes. It’s a very manly room.” Humor flits through her eyes.

I lean down to brush my lips against hers. She tastes sweet, like a spoonful of warm honey. When I break away, her cheeks carry an enticing flush, and she smiles in a way that makes my cock twitch.

Trying to keep myself under control, I continue our tour instead of dragging her down onto the closest couch. The sitting room and the kitchen with its little dining area take up the entire first floor, so we head upstairs.

“On the left here is Jasper’s room. On the right is the bathroom.” I open the door to show her but leave Jasper’s closed, trying to respect his privacy. “At the end of the hall is me. Sammy has the whole upstairs.”

While I guide her along, Holly peers around, gaze wide and curious.

Trying not to be presumptuous, I turn back toward the stairs. “So, yeah, that’s everything.”

“Wait a minute.” When I glance back, she’s already halfway down the hall. “I want to see your room.”

Hell. This will be … torture.

I follow her, unsure if the churning under my rib cage is from anticipation or dread. After weeks of stroking myself to thoughts of Holly, she’s going to be standing next to my bed—a piece of furniture that plays a supporting role in many of my fantasies.

I catch up before she opens the door. While pushing it open, she throws a wink over her shoulder. “Time to find out about the real Ben.”