I dove for the handle, opened the door with my hairspray locked and loaded, and met the very intoxicated and buzzed Luca Monroe. He stumbled and fell backward, landing against the other wall as he laughed. “Oh, Lorelei.”
“It’s you.” I sighed in relief, closing my eyes and willing my heart to settle. My ribcage ached.
“Of course? Who else would be here?” He glanced down the hallway, pulling his knees to his chest and spreading his legs wide. He leaned his elbows onto his knees before his gaze darkened. “Were you expecting some guy?”
“No.” I swallowed, the adrenaline coursing through my body.
“Then why do you look… why do you have a bottle in your hand?”
“Oh.” My face flushed. “It’s nothing.”
“I love your blush.” He smiled and closed his eyes. “You’re adorable, Lo. Your cheeks get all pink, and it makes your freckles stand out.”
“Okay, you’re trashed.” I cackled, uncomfortable with how nice he was being. He called me adorableandcalled me Lo. His absolute insistence of not sleeping with me that morning had embarrassed me earlier, so this had to be because of his buzz. Even if I didn’t care that much, a total dismissal like that offended the ego and pride a wee bit. I rubbed my lips together, my pulse finally evening out. “Drink some water and go to bed.”
“Is that hair spray? Were you doing your hair?” He frowned, hard, like the thought of me doing my hair hurt him.
“No. It was my weapon. Only weapon at that.” I shrugged. “Not my best moment.”
“A weapon?” The lines around his eyes deepened, the signature scowl returning and causing all his features to tighten. He was gorgeous with a frown or a smile. It was so unfair.
“I was freaked out, alright? I was in the house alone, and people were outside and pounding on the door looking for a party.” I ran a hand over my hair, the slight tremble giving my nerves away. “I thought, well, it doesn’t matter. It’s you.”
“You assumed someone had broken in.” He paled, and his eyes widened. “Oh my god. You thought I broke in.”
“I guess, yeah.”
“Lorelei, I’m so sorry.” He gripped his hair and groaned, rocking side to side. “I hate that you were scared. I didn’t even think about you at the house! Well, not true. I thought about you most of the night and about the things I need to say to you, but this is the first time someone was at the house when we were out after a game.” He pushed up to his feet, groaning. Then he swallowed hard. “You’re okay. I’m here. I won’t let it happen again.”
He seemed so flustered and genuine that I couldn’t stop the smile from forming. “You gonna drag me to the next party then?”
“I’ll stay back if you’re here.” He stared at me with wide eyes, like he was trying to send a secret message. It was not received, and my skin prickled from his attention.
“You don’t have to do that.” I waved a hand in the hair. “It’s fine.”
“Nope. Not fine. Opposite of fine. Poor? Ineffective? Not well?” He closed his eyes and scratched his forehead. “Not good.”
“Okay, grumpy-pants, you’re funny when you’re drunk.”
“Yes well, it’s my one night off. I can go wild and be free, and I accidentally did a few shots of stuff. I never do shots, but you were on my mind, so I stressed out and needed the release. Your fault, really.”
The back of my neck heated. “You getting drunk ismyfault?” My voice raised an octave, and the same, sudden rush of adrenaline coursed through me, a flicker of curiosity, a dangerous feeling of tell-me-more mixed in. Why was I on his mind?
“I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
“Wait.” I shook my head, clearing what I thought I heard him say.Thinking about me?No way. That made no sense. Why would he think aboutme?“Come again?”
“Look, Lo,” he said, his voice soft and gentle. He dragged his attention from my feet to my face before continuing. “I can’t afford to stray from my plan, and you are the most tempting. Like, so fucking tempting. And to even think about it would be… terrible for me and unfair to Dean too.”
“You’re not making sense.” I stepped closer, his magnetic tone pulling me toward him.What’s unfair to Dean?I had no idea what he was saying, but I wanted to hear him speak all kind to me again. I liked it a lot. “I’m tempting? We’re back to you not wanting me to live in the house because I could ruin your routine?”
“This morning.” He ran his hands over his face, rubbing his eyes and letting out a loud groan. “I saw your face.”
“You’re talking in circles right now, and I want to understand, but I’m tired.” The reference to the morning caught me off-guard. First, he said he thought about me a lot, then that I was a distraction but also acted like he’d rather sleep with a rat than be caught dead with me.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” He took a big step toward me, cupping my face with his large hands. His rough skin caressed my cheeks, his fingers gently grazing underneath my eyes. He tilted his face down so our mouths were a foot apart, and I froze.
My body erupted in goose bumps and heat, my stomach swooping from his touch. He smelled like alcohol and pine trees, along with sweat and leather, and I forgot everything.
