I haven’t told my mother I’ve been avoiding men for months, trying to keep my head clear to finish writing my current book.She’d go bananas if she knew; therefore, I lie to her because it’s easier than explaining my reasoning to her.
“Wear the red dress,” she says, still trying to run my life.“And bring him to the party because I’d hate for you to come alone.”
“Bye, Ma.”I tap the end button before she can say anything else.Sometimes, talking to my mother is like running a mental marathon.It’s exhausting going over the same topics again and again.
I practically throw myself on the couch after I turn on the television, waiting for my streaming app to start.Over the winter, I started bingeing every television series I could get my hands on.It helped fill the nights and settle my mind after a long day typing away at the keyboard.Winter bled into summer, and I couldn’t seem to find the energy to go out at night with my friends and hit the club scene.I was over nightlife and men, preferring my couch and television.
Richard, the hero and total hottie in my newest obsession, is about to bed the woman he’s been chasing for a year.I’m glued to the screen, holding my breath and waiting for the moment when their lips finally touch.I can feel the tension the closer their mouths are to each other’s.
Knock.Knock.
I groan and drop my head.Even though I’ve watched two seasons in the last week, I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for them to kiss.Whoever is here, they’d better have a damn good reason for picking this moment to knock on my door.
Without thinking, I run to the door and swing it open like a woman possessed because, damn it, they’re interrupting my favorite show.
I’m met with the greenest eyes belonging to my sexy new neighbor.The same guy I’ve been avoiding at all costs because he’s so good-looking, I know he’s nothing but trouble.
“Hey.”He smirks.
The flush that crept up my chest the other day when I met him is now a full-on burn.The man is gorgeous.There’s no denying that.I’m pretty sure, by the way he acts, he knows it too.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m Vinnie.”
“I remember.”I try to keep my eyes on his face, but it’s almost impossible since he’s shirtless.The man’s body is unreal.He must spend endless hours in the gym, lifting and squatting, to sculpt his muscles to such perfection.
His focus dips, and mine follows to my workout bra and yoga pants.Although I’m dressed, I feel more naked than he actually is.
He reaches back, rubbing his neck.“I was wondering if you’d do me…”
I don’t really know what he says next because I’m too busy watching the way his biceps flex as he runs his hand back and forth across his skin and thinking about how I’d very much like to do him.
The movement puts me in a trance.A sexless, I-haven’t-been-fucked-in-six-months kind of rapture.
When I finally look at his face again, he’s staring at me with that sexy I-know-you’re-checking-me-out smirk.
I blink because I’m pretty sure my mind heard something completely different from what came out of his mouth.“Excuse me?”
“Would you do that favor for me?I’d owe you big-time.I’ll repay you any way I can.”
I push the hair that’s fallen out of my messy bun away from my face, suddenly feeling like I’m standing in the desert with no shelter from the blazing sun.“What favor?”
He drops his hand to his side, and with the way he’s standing and the overhead lighting of the hallway, he looks more like a statue created for some museum display of the perfect male form.“I know we got off on the wrong foot yesterday.”
I cringe, knowing I was an asshole.“I’m sorry about that.I was having a bad day and didn’t mean to take it out on you.”
“It’s okay.I have those too sometimes.”
He’s sweet, which immediately puts me on edge because there’s no way this hot-as-fuck guy could actually be nice.
“I know I’m reaching with asking you this, and you don’t owe me anything, so feel free to tell me to fuck off, but my career may be on the line.”
I grab on to the door handle, using it to keep me upright.Between the tension on the television and now the hotness at my door, my body feels more alive than it has in months.“What do you need again?”
I want to slap myself.Hard.He’s been at my door for under a minute, and I already sound like the world’s biggest idiot.I’m having trouble keeping up with the conversation, and I wonder what he’s thinking about me.
His hand goes back to his neck, and my eyes fly to his muscle.I can do this.I can pay attention and not gawk at the way his skin moves like it’s begging for me to reach out and run my fingers over the silky smoothness.
