“Figured.” He folded his arms, treating me to the view of biceps that bulged against the sleeves of his shirt. “Why?”
“Because.” I mirrored him with my arms crossed over my chest. “Your sister deliberately rented the two other units in her building to single women who prefer quiet and privacy. We don’t bring parties home at the end of the night and we’re respectful of the fact that this townhouse was built in 1901. The floors creak, the walls are thin and we can easily hear each other if the volume goes above a certain level. That’s why we don’t wear shoes in the house, we don’t slam doors, we don’t have guests past a certain hour and we make sure to be quiet after 10PM.”
“Christ.” Lukas’s brows ascended. “Is this a dorm?”
“It’s a private home in a quiet neighborhood, and I guess it’s a lifestyle you’ll have to adapt to if you’re staying here.”
“Right.” His smooth lips twisted slowly up in a wry smile. “Thing is, this building was actually erected in 1910, and it’s gone through four renovations since, so the floors will probably survive multiple guests and shoes worn in the house. I know that because I own this place. I bought it five years ago, I paid for two of the renovations and I intend to live in it however I see fit, whether or not that includes a certain volume past whatever hour I please.” His wolfish gaze bore into me, dipping only to stare with satisfaction at my parting lips. “I hope that’s alright with you,” he said. “Because it’s going to have to be.”
I stared at him.
Well, fuck.
The force with which I thought the word made it echo in my head as I blinked vacantly at Lukas, paralyzed in shock.
This isn’t happening. This isn’t actually happening.
I couldn’t process it and I had no response for him. My only move was to stand there in the hall, jaw slack and dripping wet as I gaped at the man who’d waltzed into my life five minutes ago, who’d taken less than that amount of time to threaten the perfect routine I’d carved out and lived blissfully for the past two-and-a-half years. Blood roared in my ears as he gazed with infuriating leisure at me. He was relaxed. I was enraged. He had a smile on his lips.
And I had nothing.
The silence stretched on till three loud pings sounded from my phone.
TESS: Ahh shoot Lia yes that’s my brother. I’m sorry I didn’t let u know
TESS: I’ll be staying in Lyon longer than I thought… Not sure till when but will keep u posted
TESS: Luke’s the best though so don’t worry about him at all. He shouldn’t be any trouble.
I read the texts with a mounting fury and a feeling of total helplessness. I didn’t realize how hard my jaw had clenched till I heard my molars squeak against each other.
“Got your little confirmation?”
Four words and I could hear how thoroughly entertained Lukas was by all of this. God, he was such a prick. Just for sticking that condescending “little” in there, I hated him. Quite possibly despised him.
And because of that, I hurried my ass up to help him.
I wanted Lukas gone ASAP – out of my sight and out of mind. So with some kind of grunt of a noise, I paced past him, hand out and going to work the second he slapped his key in my palm. Shoving it into the door, I used my other hand to grip the knob, wiggling and jiggling both at once the way I’d learned over the years, as hard as I possibly could till the door finally popped open. Then snatching my robe shut again, I glared up at my new neighbor and despite wanting badly to just flush it down the toilet, I returned his key in his hand.
“All good then?”
He peeled his eyes off my chest. “Just about.”
“Well, I can’t help you with anything beyond your lock.” I stalked past him and reached for my door.
“Come in for a minute.”
I turned to flash him an incredulous look. ?
?What?”
“For a drink,” he laughed. “Just one so I can smooth things over. The way we started doesn’t have to be the way we end, right?”
“Sorry,” I answered curtly. “It’s late and I should get back to sleep.”
“You were sleeping just now?”
“Yes,” I lied. “Soundly till you came along.”