Bloom

He moves closer to me, stopping when he’s a foot away. “The television is in my bedroom.”

I close the distance between us with quick, unsure steps. “I don’t know if I’m ready for…”

“Netflix and talking?” He reaches out a hand. “Kissing if it feels right. No pressure.”

In my mind’s eye, I was the siren who would seduce this gorgeous man into a lust-filled night, but he’s more than I bargained for, and it’s not just about the extra-large condoms.

It’s him.

The way he looks at me. The way he talks to me and the way he kisses me.

All of it.

I can’t let my heart take the lead on this. He doesn’t want anything serious. I’m too smart to fall for a guy who just got dumped.

He offers me his hand. “We’ll stay on top of the covers. I’ll build a pillow wall between us if you want.”

Laughing, I search his face for something, anything that will tell me that he’s all right with my hesitation.

I see it when he winks at me. “Come with me, lilac. I’ll take care of you.”

I believe him, so I slide my palm against his and let him lead me straight to his bedroom.

Chapter 24

Liam

My bedroom isn’t going to make it onto the pages of any home interior design magazines.

It has the essentials. A king-size bed because I need it. The bedding is white. I like simple lines and a minimalistic look, so the only other pieces of furniture are two mismatched bedside tables.

I keep everything in the closet. It’s not large, but it’s big enough to house what I need.

I watch Athena’s expression as she takes in the room.

Sheer curtains cover the window. Light doesn’t interfere with my sleep, so I never bothered to find something to block the sunrise.

“This is nice.” She looks up at me.

I flick on the television that’s hung on the wall across from my bed. I know it’s not ideal, but sometimes I need the sounds emanating from it to lull me to sleep.

My mind races at night. The white noise coming from the TV is sometimes all I need to drift off.

Athena stays locked in place just inside the bedroom door.

I take the lead and drop my ass on the bed. “I’ll get to work on that pillow wall.”

That lures a smile to her mouth. “You don’t have to do that.”

I will if it gets her beside me.

She takes tentative steps toward the bed. Once her knees hit the mattress, she crawls on.

I watch her settle, with her back against the large wooden headboard. It was a gift from Sebastian when he sold his apartment. I grabbed it when he offered because it fits this room better than the slim design headboard I inherited with the apartment when I bought it.

Her hands skim over the skirt of the dress, adjusting it to cover her thighs.

I want to know what’s under it.