Nobody Sees, Nobody Knows [Jensen Ackles + Misha Collins | Cockles | mxm]

Chapter Sixteen

Gen leads the way inside.

"I'll take these up to your room," Mark huffs under the weight of our luggage, and I flash him a grateful smile as we clack over the mosaic-tiled floor of the cavernous entrance hall.

Gen sets the tray on the polished oval table in the centre of the hall, and my gaze wanders to the gilt-framed oil paintings hanging along the wall. They're portraits of Gen and Jared.

"Isn't that a little egotistical?" I grin teasingly as we follow Mark and Gen up the stairs.

"Jared's idea," Gen tilts her head back and laughs. We reach the top of the stairs and turn down a burgundy-carpeted hallway.

"This is where you'll be staying." After passing half a dozen doors - how many bedrooms does this place hold? - we finally pause outside a cream-painted door facing us at the end of the corridor.

"Wow." Vicki drops her bags just inside the room and I try not to gape too obviously as I step in behind her.

The voile curtains of the four-poster bed shift gently against the breeze from the open windows, and a wraparound veranda lays outside a set of double doors. There are two floor-to-ceiling wardrobes for me and Vicki to hang our clothes in, and a dressing table with a large, lighted mirror. A deep wine-coloured armchair in the far corner of the room complements the luxurious cream of the walls and carpet.

"Would you like me to run you two a bath?" Gen opens a door opposite the bed and gestures to the large bathroom beyond it.

Vicki accepts eagerly but I shake my head.

"Um, I'm good, thanks. Thought I might go down to the yard and find Jared, let him know we've arrived."

"Sure," Gen replies brightly, and I'm vaguely aware of Mark leaving after making sure all of our bags were propped against the bed. "He's down there right now, at the barbecue with some of the other men."

She hugs Vicki one more time. "If you need anything, just let me know. Misha, I'll show you to the backyard." After kissing my wife goodbye, I follow Gen.

Wow, this place deserves a spread in 'Better Homes & Gardens.'

Gold-and-wine striped sofas, a fireplace, gorgeous arm chairs, even a grandfather clock...everything strategically-placed. Everything opulent.

Soon we're back in the circular hallway and I glance down at my clothing, feeling sorely underdressed.

"Everybody's in the yard right now," Gen explains as she leads me through the nearest set of double doors. That explains the empty interior. "We're about to have lunch."

"Outside?"

We enter the room and I make out heavy brocade drapes, tied back from French doors that open onto the yard and allow sunlight to pool onto the polished wooden floorboards.

"Yeah, it'll be fun. Then we can go down to the lake for a swim and watch the sun set."

The backyard is unsurprisingly immense, and I greet everyone I recognize in the throng of people. Finally, I spot Jared.

"You made it, shorty," he laughs and wraps me in a bear hug.

"Watch where you're flailing that," my voice is muffled against his shoulder and he gives me a teasing prod before going back to probing the meat. "Dude, I feel like I'm at a five-star resort. I knew you and Gen were loaded but..."

"It'll be a fun weekend," Jared simply smiles. And I'm reminded why he's one of my best friends: his surprising modesty.

The hot air is shimmering directly over the barbecue and the mouthwatering scent of hot dogs and burgers wafts towards me on the breeze. I inhale deeply, stomach instantly voicing its approval.