“It’s fine,” I grunted. “You’ll be out of these in a second.”
Ignoring the warmth coming off of his bare legs as best I could, I pulled the jeans down carefully, trying not to tear them. Finally, when the denim was past Liam’s knees, it loosened and easily fell all the way down to his ankles. Like a cat who had just stepped in snow, Liam immediately removed his feet from the jeans and shook them off.
“Thanks,” he said, sounding embarrassed.
“No problem,” I grumbled as I got to my feet. “I’ll go get the other pair.”
Storming out, I felt the warmth in my cheeks intensify, which made me even angrier at myself. Having feelings like that for Liam was the last thing I wanted. I enjoyed his company and wanted to make sure he was safe, but being on my knees in front of him drew out some primal urge within me that I fucking hated. My bear growled. I shut it down.
Stop thinking about it.
I snatched the other pair of jeans off the shelf and threw it back over the top of the door, avoiding Liam’s gaze. A moment later he emerged wearing the new jeans and shirt, which both fit him properly.
“Do I look okay?” he asked.
I didn’t want to risk looking at him. I flickered my gaze then stared at the wall again. “It’s fine. If you’re done, I’ll pay for them now so you don’t have to walk around in my old clothes.”
Liam blinked. “Okay.”
Time seemed to move slower after that.
9
Liam
The ride homewas spent in stiff silence. Victor had paid for all the clothes I picked out, plus an awkward lunch where neither of us spoke very much. I shuffled in my seat as he parked the car. He grunted and extended his hand for the shopping bag.
“It’s okay, I can carry it,” I said.
His fingers curled and his expression tightened like he was going to object, but he withdrew and got out of the car.
My heart pounded with anxiety as we rode the elevator. The hallway to his apartment seemed to stretch out for an eternity. I kept my head down and memorized the patterns in the carpet. I was too nervous to look up.
Inside, Victor tossed his keys across the kitchen counter and headed to the bathroom. “I’m taking a shower,” he grunted.
“Okay.”
I tried not to wince as the door slammed. When I heard the sound of rushing water, I finally let out the breath I’d been holding in. My mind raced with questions. What had I done to upset Victor? There must have beensomething. He had never been this short with me before.
I curled up on the couch, clutching the bag of clothes to my chest like a stuffed animal. He was fine when we got to the mall. He was fine when I was picking out clothes. He was fine until –
I shot up.The dressing room.
His mood changed when I got stuck in those stupid pants, I realized. But why?
Groaning in frustration, I buried my face in the armrest. Theoneperson I felt safe and comfortable around, and I went and blew it somehow. Like I always did.
I stared around the room and sighed. The apartment that had felt so warm and reassuring was now filled with an uncomfortable atmosphere, and it was my fault.
A glint of light caught my eye and I dragged my gaze towards it. The picture frame that I’d dropped and replaced earlier was reflecting a beam of light from the window. I narrowed my eyes. There was that man again, with his arm around Victor, and Victor’s arm around him. Despite my strange feelings earlier, I couldn’t help but admit that they looked happy. Happier than Victor was with me right now, that was for sure.
I wanted to know more about the strange man. Maybe he was the secret behind Victor’s happiness.
A sharp but muffled ringing noise startled me from my thoughts. I ran to Victor’s jacket pocket and pulled out his phone. Nick was calling. I paused, wondering whether I should pick up or not, but figured Nick wouldn’t call Victor on his day off unless it was important.
“Hello?” I said.
“Hey – wait, who is this?”
