Liem is up, his hands holding my arms to help me not fall back and then he’s shielding me with himself like the two people who just walked in are going to try to murder us. Only, it’s not potential murderers, it’s my roommate and her boyfriend.
They both halt their hushed laughter and freeze. “Oh shit. Sorry. Didn’t know you had company.” My roommate, Stella, and her boyfriend peer at me with wide eyes. Their gazes flick back and forth between me and the large body of a man towering in front. I’m glad for the shield, remembering I don’t have on pants. Luckily, my shirt falls at my thighs. But it’s an anxiety that’ll never go away, being vulnerable like this. Being a target because I let myself get looked at.
Women shouldn’t have to think that way.
It’s a long minute, but I peek around Liem, to greet my roommate who I haven’t seen in weeks. Her suitcase makes a thump as she sets it down beside her leg.
“It’s not, we weren’t… I thought you were in Hawaii.” I actually didn’t know for sure where Stella was, we don’t exactly have a tight relationship as roomies.
I give a friendly and awkward wave to her boyfriend who I never really cared for, and he nods back, taking in my bare legs under my short T-shirt. Which doesn’t go unnoticed because Liem inches another step.
“Oh yeah, that, well.” Stella finishes dragging her suitcase inside and closes the door behind her. “We never went because our flight got cancelled.” There’s something weird in her tone but I’m not about to address it.
I don’t ask where she was this whole time because truthfully, it doesn’t matter. All I am to her is another person to help pay rent so she can take her fancy vacations with her douchebag boyfriend.
What the hell’s his name again?
Her boyfriend keeps glancing over at us. Probably because both me and Liem are stuck to the floor like I didn’t just get caught straddling him.
“Dude, are those my pants?”
All three of us look, though I clearly already knew, and Liem carries the same blank look.
I quickly say, “He needed an extra pair. Hope that’s okay.”
He just shrugs and heads for the fridge. “Looks like your roommate doesn’t know how to keep the fridge stocked. There’s no fucking beer.”
Stella ignores him but spares a few more glances at Liem. I mean, he’s hard to miss and especially without a shirt. “You two look like you might pass out or throw up. Don’t let us stop you from whatever it is you were doing.”
But before I can defend our nothingness, Liem speaks. “I was just about to leave.”
“Ah, come on, man. We can all hang out. Play some cards. Tell stories.” Stella’s boyfriend chuckles like he’s mocking us.
He’s a cocky asshole.
Liem spares him a tight glare, before looking over his shoulder at me. “You gonna be okay here?” He glances down at my legs, and a flash of anger appears.
Of course he’s running for the hills. This is all too much, and after last night the last thing he wants is unwelcome company.
He goes to say something keeping his eyes locked on my bare legs, but I pay him a gentle smile. “Let’s go. Your stuff is in the bathroom. Though it might still be damp.”
Liem’s brow raises and he stalks closer into my space. “You washed my clothes?”
I swallow, fidgeting with the bottom of my shirt, tugging it down more. “I didn’t think you’d want the reminder of it all.”
Our whispered conversation makes it seem like we’re alone.
He studies me a beat. “Come with me.” Liem takes my hand, dragging me away from prying eyes and listening ears, then closes the bathroom door behind us. My back presses against it as he throws his hands on either side of my head. I gasp as the warmth of him seeps into my soul.
His head hangs low before locking eyes with mine. “How could you be so nice to me? After what I’ve done.”
My eyes narrow, and I gently reach up embracing his face. “Because you have a kind heart. You’re a good man, Liem. Despite what you may think of yourself.”
His breathing staggers, making the space incredibly thick between us. He stares down at my lips and my eyes flutter, taking in his familiar feeling.
“Liem—”
“Hey! I gotta take a piss,” Stella’s boyfriend shouts through the door and Liem backs away, sending an annoyed heated glance over my shoulder.
