I'd taken to cleaning the kitchen every time I felt anxious. At first I didn't know why I would do that -- we had an excellent maid once a week -- then I realized the kitchen was Andrew's since I could barely fry an egg.

I felt closer to him, cleaning his kitchen. Stupid, I know -- but I did.

And that's where I was when I heard the doorbell. I'd done the floors, the counters, bought food, stocked the pantry -- and was polishing the stainless steel sink when the bell rang.

I wiped the sweat off my forehead and went to the entryway. Suddenly, without even opening the door, I knew who it was....

*****

"Of course he doesn't know. Like an idiot, he trusts me, Mark."

That was my response to Mark asking, "Do you think Andrew had any idea of what we'd done in Palm Springs? I mean, Andrew is intuitive and smart -- do you think it was a mistake to approach me, Eric?"

"Approach you? Approach YOU? I think you've got that turned around, Eric. You invited me up to your room, you handed me the drink on the terrace -- you seduced me."

"Is that the story you're telling?" I couldn't believe Mark's smugness, his bravado. And man, was he good. He winked and smiled, poked me -- part of him was teasing and part of him really did want me to think that I had seduced 'poor innocent Mark.'

I cleared up the confusion, "Mark -- I'm not telling anyone any stories. I want to pretend it just never happened and I think it would be the best thing for you, too. I also think you should go. Drew's usually home by now."

Mark winked again.

"I want to eat you alive, right now," he said and came towards me. I stood still, I wasn't about to let this go any further. But he moved another step towards me. He knew I was testing him.

"Take off your shirt, Eric," he snapped -- but followed it with a grin.

"Go home, Mark. Go home right now. No more of this -- I mean it. This... if this goes any further... we'll both regret it... please, just go!"

He didn't.

Mark moved up to me, took my shirt and pushed his hands up my chest. My body was tingling. My skin had gooseflesh, as if every nerve was on fire.

"Mark -- this is stupid -- "

I was standing in the living room, shirtless. Mark was inches from my mouth, his mouth almost on mine. I was turgid and breathless.

And then...

Drew opened the front door.