“You almost done?”
She shakes her head, barely glancing up. “I’m trying not to take up too much room.”
The way she says it doesn’t sit well. I don’t see any of her personal belongings anywhere else. I take a step back, looking through the doorway into the bedroom, and outside of her purse on my bed, there is no sign of her being here.
“Where are your things?”
“I’m putting them away.”
I gently ease her to her feet and twist her to me. It’s then I recognize it.
She’s nervous.
Not just any nervous, she’s on the cusp of a full-blown freak out.
“Talk to me,” I urge, running the back of my fingers along her cheek. “Tell me what’s happening so I can make it better.”
“There’s nothing to tell.” She looks from side to side, avoiding eye contact.
“Try again,” I soothe, gliding my hand to the back of her scalp and caressing tenderly. “You’re a terrible liar.”
Her green eyes come to mine, and they are reeling in insecurity. “One week ago, I woke up here for the first time, and today I’m moving in. With everything happening, the reality of this situation didn’t register until we walked in your door.”
“Let it go. Whatever’s nagging at you, let it go.”
“This is spontaneous and reckless. What if it is a colossal mistake?”
I brush my lips across hers, trailing my tongue along the seam and tasting the faint flavor of vanilla. My cock stirs, wanting more, but I force myself to break away. “Spontaneous and reckless is good. Bring her back to me.”
“Who?”
“The woman who wrapped herself around me last Thursday morning that had finally accepted what’s happening.”
Her eyes soften and clear. “I’m still that woman.”
“Does it seem like I’m having second thoughts?”
She shakes her head.
“I didn’t like not having you with me these last few nights. Out of respect, I stayed away. But nothing has changed for me.”
She falls into me, pressing close. The racing of her heart pulses against my chest. I hold her, running my hands up and down her back until it returns to normal. “Thank you,” she murmurs. “I didn’t know how much I needed to hear that.”
“There’s no trace of you anywhere. That needs to change. I want to see your things placed around the house. This cabinet is all yours, so load it up. We have double sinks, but even if we didn’t, you take all the space you need.”
She twists over her shoulder, taking in her side of the bathroom. “Okay, I’ll feminize your bachelor pad.”
“Smartass.”
Her lips curl into a sweet smile. “I missed you.”
Her confession hits me deep in the chest. “I missed you, too, Princess. You’ve got ten minutes then you’re mine. Meet me in the kitchen.” I kiss her again, stepping away and forcing one foot in front of the other to walk away before I say fuck it and ruin the plans for tonight.
Ashlyn may have spent several nights here last week, but tonight is different. I didn’t peg my brother as the sappy romantic type, but he made sense when he advised me to make tonight special. Then he followed through by delivering the items on my list this morning.
I pop the cork on the champagne, set it in the chiller, and move back to the fridge when I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. Ashlyn stands frozen, staring at the counter in complete amazement.
“Those are my glasses,” she rasps, her eyes glued to the delicate stemware.
“They are.”
“I picked them out. They are for the glass cabinets in my kitchen. They match my entire collection…. How did you…” she trails off, her eyes mixed with emotion.
“Janie and I had an understanding. Whatever you needed to be comfortable, I wanted to know. I bought the collection.”
“But those are… you did that for… me?” Her hand goes to her chest and I notice it’s trembling.
“Yes, I did this for you. If you’d start paying attention, you’d realize I’ll do anything for you.”
She remains quiet, taking it all in. It’s easy to see when the understanding washes over her. She reaches up, loosening the hair tie. Her red waves fall loose over her shoulders and her eyes meet mine, glowing with a look that speaks directly to my dick.
“You said you want me to be comfortable?”
“Always.”
“Any rules I should know about?”
“Nope.”
“So, it’s perfectly okay to leave my clothes lying around?” She tears off her sweater, tossing it to the side.
I run my teeth along my bottom lip. “When we’re in this house alone, clothes aren’t necessary.”
“Hmmm.” Her leggings are the next to go.
My cock goes stone-hard, pulsing in my jeans, and I have to adjust myself. She stands in front of me in a skimpy black lace set begging to be ripped from her body.
She walks to the counter, pouring two glasses of champagne and handing one to me. “What should we toast? Our first night as roommates?”