“Um, do you need some help?” The deep voice laced with amusement made her jump. It wasn’t so much that the person behind the voice was laughing at her, but that it was distinctly male.
“I’ve got it, thanks.”
Great, another roommate with a boyfriend. Melody was gorgeous so the situation wasn’t wholly unexpected. Please don’t be another Jeremy situation, she begged the universe. She didn’t need any more roommate drama.
“I’m good.” She lifted her eyes, a polite smile ready to soften her snappish tone, and froze.
Two things hit her at once.
One… he was hot, really hot. Two… he wasn’t wearing a shirt, which meant, because of her short stature, she was eyeball level with a very sexy, sculpted pectoral muscle.
Her heart skipped a beat. When was the last time she was this close to a half-naked man?Too long,she thought, quickly followed by,why isn’t he wearing a shirt? It’s winter!
“I can do it myself,” she snapped, irritated by her reaction to him.
His caramel eyes widened slightly, and for the briefest of seconds, she felt bad. “It’s not heavy, just awkward.”
“I could hold the door.” He held his palms up. “Just to make it easier.”
His lips spread in a disarming smile, and Cara sighed. “Thanks.”
An arm extended over her head to hold the door open, and Cara blinked at the bicep flexing in front of her. A jolt of attraction shot through her when the narrow space made her slide across his bare chest.
Good grief! He’s yourroommate's boyfriend!Get a hold of yourself!
Cara carried her box into the main living area and set it on the small accent chair facing the sliding glass doors. The house was noticeably cleaner than the week before when she visited. Her spirits lifted. The fact that Melody had made an effort was a good sign. The granite countertop, separating the small kitchen on her left from the main living room, was spotless. Her eyes ran over the tan sofa facing the large TV on the wall and the remote controls neatly lined up on the coffee table in front of it.
Huh! Melody hadn’t struck her as the tidy type. Cara’s eyes strayed to a small kitchen table that took up the remaining space between the kitchen counter and the sofa. It might be a little snug with three people, but she could make it work.
“You’re in there.” The man gestured to a door situated next to the television on the wall to her right. Cara nodded. She already knew that, and her unease returned. Melody hadn’t mentioned her boyfriend stayed there, and he had a distinctly proprietary air about him.
When she turned back, the stranger stood by the kitchen counter. “I’m Wes Evans.” He gave her a broad smile that lit up his eyes.
Cara stared at him blankly. Was that all he was going to say? “Cara Blease.” She looked toward the bedroom door past the kitchen. “Is Melody around?”
Wes’s brow wrinkled for a moment, and then his lips pressed into a flat line. “Melody is in Milan.”
“What?” The already unsettled feeling in her stomach turned into a rock. Melody wasn’t here, but this guy was? Cara sent a quick glance to the front door. This was starting to feel like a massive mistake!
Wes straightened, and Cara tensed ready to take flight. “Don’t touch me! My brothers will kill you!”
The man’s face slacked in shock. “I wasn’t going to! I was—”
“I don’t know what kind of messed up thing you and Melody have going on, but people know I’m here!”
Wes shook his head vigorously, his wavy, chestnut hair flopping widely. He looked almost as horrified as she felt.
“No! I’m just staying here temporarily while I house hunt. I had no idea Melody hadn’t told you she wouldn’t be here! She’ll be back in a few days!” Cara watched him closely. Heseemedsincere.
“Prove it.”
For a second, he looked confused. “Prove what?”
“That you aren’t a human trafficker.”
His mouth formed an O, and for a split second, her traitorous brain thought he looked adorable.
“How do I do that?”
