Lady nuzzled Robin’s neck, and he chuckled. “That tickles. You gonna come with me and sit by the fire, pretty girl?” He went into the living room, and Loki’s loud meow sounded almost immediately.
Dean headed for the kitchen, puzzled. What is he doing here? Robin’s sudden appearance wasn’t an unpleasant surprise, but Dean was intrigued. He poured milk into a pan, set it on the heat, and retrieved the hot chocolate mix from the cabinet. Robin’s laughter came from the living room, and Dean figured Loki was entertaining him. The only visitors to the house were his Sunday guests, so he wasn’t about to complain. Seeing Robin again at the boatyard had recalled pleasant memories. The efficient way he’d gotten on with his tasks made Dean sorry he’d never had the opportunity to teach him.
Robin was certainly nothing like his twin, who Dean had been… lucky enough to teach for a year. One very long year.
Once the hot chocolate was ready, he carried the two mugs into the living room. Robin had removed his hat. He was on his knees on the rug in front of the fire, holding up a soft furry mouse on the piece of elastic, and Loki was leaping into the air to try and grab it with his paws.
“He loves that one,” Dean told him. Robin’s coat was on the arm of the sofa, and Dean took it. “I’ll hang this up in the hall. It wouldn’t be safe to leave it anywhere near Loki’s claws.” He went into the hallway, loving the way Robin laughed at Loki’s antics. It was such a bright, happy sound.
Dean walked back into the room, heading for the bookcase. “Watch this.” He grabbed the talking hamster from a shelf, flicked its switch, and set it down on the floor. Loki’s reaction was instantaneous. He scurried away from it like he always did, then approached it with a kind of hopping–bouncing motion, almost as though he was launching a sneak attack. He batted at it with his paw, only to bounce away again a second later. Then he bounced back with yet more bats of his paw.
“He’s so cute.” Robin seemed mesmerized by Loki. Lady sat beside him, paws tucked under her chest, watching the kitten with obvious disdain.
“I didn’t think so when I got home this afternoon. The little bastard had destroyed half the bathroom.” He handed Robin a mug. Robin took it, then got to his feet and wandered over to the wall that was covered in paintings.
“These are amazing.” He pointed to a large landscape. “Especially this one.”
“That’s Maggie Daley Park in Chicago.” Dean loved the lake with its bridges and the expanse of sky above it.
“Is that where you used to live?”
Dean didn’t mind the questions one bit. He wanted Robin to feel at ease. That way, Dean might eventually discover the reason for the visit. “I was a substitute teacher there for a couple of years.”
Robin made a face. “I used to hate it when we had substitute teachers. Most of the time they couldn’t control the class, and we got no work done. A lot of guys in my class used to rag on them.”
Dean grinned. “Now you know why I didn’t stay a substitute teacher.”
Robin cocked his head. “What brought you here? You could’ve taught anywhere.”
“I used to come here on vacation with my family as a kid. Lots of happy memories here. I knew I couldn’t stay a substitute teacher forever—not unless I wanted to end up on trial for murder. Or a body on Unsolved Mysteries.”
Robin chuckled at that. “I hear ya. And you found a place here. I think that’s cool.”
“Of course, there almost wasn’t a job a year or so ago, when they announced they were making cuts.”
Robin nodded. “My dad signed the petition. He and my mom said the arts were important.”
“I must thank him next time I see him.” He sat on the sofa nearest the fire, his hands wrapped around the mug. “So…”
Robin grinned. “Don’t let Miss Martindale hear you.”
He laughed. “Okay, you got me.” He wasn’t about to let Robin distract him a second longer. “Want tell me why you’re here? Or how you found my address?”
Robin flushed. “I snuck a peek in Dad’s papers, looking for your order for the RapidFire. And as to why I’m here… You said something the other day about being a ski instructor?”
Dean frowned. “Yes.”
“Well… I was wondering if you’d take me out on the slopes. I’d like to give it a try. If I think it’s something I’d enjoy, then maybe I’ll get some lessons.” He laughed. “Not saying I wanna be a ski champion or anything.”
Dean was genuinely puzzled. “You were born here, right?” When Robin nodded, Dean continued. “Are you telling me you’ve never skied? Because if I lived here all my life, I’d sure as hell have learned to ski. The winter sports scene here is incredible.”
Robin shook his head. “Nope. Never got around to it. So… would you?” His cheeks were flushed.
Dean smiled. “I think I can spare you some time this Saturday, if you’re not working.”
“I don’t work weekends, unless we’ve got a lot of orders to complete. Right now it’s fairly quiet.”
“Is that a yes?”
Robin nodded. “I’d like that. And thank you.”
“You need to dress appropriately.”
Another confident nod. “I can do that. And I can lay my hands on a pair of skis.” He took a sip from his mug. “This is good.”
Dean recognized evasion when he saw it. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe Robin’s reason for being there, but something about the whole situation didn’t feel quite right. Nothing he could put his finger on, but…
Robin sat on the sofa facing him, and Lady instantly jumped into his lap, purring as he stroked her with his free hand. “Your cat likes me.”
Dean chuckled. “I hate to disappoint you, but she’d like anyone with a pulse who will cuddle her. Ragdolls love to cuddle.”
Robin inclined his head toward the stereo. “You turned the music off.” His eyes sparkled. “Rock, huh?”
“A reminder of my youth.” He watched Robin in silence for a moment. The young man had changed little since high school, but then again it wasn’t all that long ago. He had to be eighteen by now. And a rather gorgeous eighteen at that. Dean supposed the floppy hair was in fashion, but it didn’t detract from Robin’s clear complexion and warm brown eyes. He wasn’t all that tall, and with his slight build and beautiful face, Dean was sure Robin would break hearts. If he hasn’t broken some already. That laugh of his was a delight.
Those lips, however, were definitely kissable, and for one brief moment Dean wondered what it would be like to feel them against his. Has he ever been kissed? Did those gorgeous eyes widen as he experienced those first precious intimate seconds?
Dean pushed aside such delicious thoughts and relaxed against the seat cushions. “You don’t look like your twin,” he observed.
Robin blinked. “Of course. You taught Ryan. I’d forgotten.” He smiled. “You remember him?”
Dean laughed. “Trust me, it’s hard to forget him. You should have seen him in my drama class. That boy would take on any role. He was the only student prepared to play Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest when we did a scene from it.” Ryan had had everyone laughing their asses off. “Does he still have a potty mouth?”