And lucky for me, I’m right.
The doorknob tilts down and then the door opens, revealing a bare-chested JP, wearing only a pair of shorts.
Well, uh... would you look at that.
An expansive chest of thick pecs that connect to his prominent collarbone, and sculpted arms that are peppered in ink. Below his pecs are a row of what I can only describe as unattainable abs that ripple into an edged Adonis belt where his shorts hang dangerously low.
I wasn’t, uh, I wasn’t expecting him to answer the door like this, hence why I haven’t said anything. Or why I can’t seem to find my words.
“Kelsey... the oven.”
“Right,” I say, stepping to the side. “The oven. Gas. It smells like gas.”
JP moves past me and I watch his backside retreat into the main living space.
I’m not one to dismiss the truth, even if it pains me. And the truth here is that JP is gorgeous, especially with his shirt off. The kind of man that you see walking down the street and all you can do is stop and stare to take in everything about him. With his shirt off, not only do you get glimpses of JP’s tattoos, but you get a whole show.
*Mentally cries* God, he’s sexy.
Ahh, did I just think that? No, he’s not sexy. He’s just... someone to look at that’s easy on the eyes.
Not sexy. Nope. Just... attractive. That’s all.
Okay, moving on.
“What did you do to the oven?” he calls out.
This is where I have to play defense because the moment he knows I was lying, he’ll make a run for his room and I’m going to have to block him. I prepared for such an event by rolling up my sleeves and removing my socks so I don’t slide along the floor. The sweaty gription on the bottom of my feet has already occurred, so I believe I’m ready.
I walk into the living area, staying close to his hallway to perform a blockade, and in a very dramatic voice, I say, “I lied.”
His head snaps around and his eyes meet mine. “You lied?” he asks with a tilt of his brow.
“Indeed.” I hold my chin up even higher. “The oven story is a farce. I never even touched it.”
“Jesus Christ,” he says, and just like I predicted, he starts moving in my direction.
Man your position!
I back up into the mouth of the hallway and extend all limbs out, creating a wall with my body. If he wants to get to his room, he has to get through me first.
Which, I’m aware he probably has an entire person’s weight of muscle on his body over me, but I’m scrappy and I know how to cling to someone like a spider monkey.
“What are you doing?” he asks as he stops a few feet in front of me, seeming to realize I’m a force to be reckoned with.
“Stopping you from retreating to your room. What does it look like?”
“It looks like a pathetic attempt to get in my way. With one push of my pinky, I will have you flat on your ass.”
“I’m much stronger than I let on. Try me.”There is no way he’ll touch me.
Boy, was I wrong.
He steps up to me, presses his pinky to my chest, and gives me just enough of a nudge to throw me off balance.
TIMBER!
Because my arms and legs are fully extended, I have nothing to grab and, before I can even think about a counterattack, I’m falling on my ass with a clunk.
