I try to flatten my lips but it’s no use; they pull into a wide grin. He’s named his turtle after the nerdiest of all theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—and yes, I know, the fact that I know that makes me nerdy too. But we’ve already established that about me. He issomuch worse.
Luke’s cheeks turn red when he sees my grin. “Shut up,” he mumbles. “Ever since I got his new tank, he keeps escaping. I can’t figure out how he does it. I have to hire a full-time house-sitter every time I leave town in case he gets out.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. I have a lady who comes and watches him.”
Oh, God. I can’t stop the laugh that squeaks from me at this point. He has aturtle lady? This is absurd; a man held captive by a tiny turtle.
“Let me guess, her name is April?”
Luke gives me a withering look. “Her name isAndrea, and she’s really good with him. She feeds him and changes his water and gives him his treats…” He shrugs, like this is perfectly normal and we all have turtle ladies.
I raise a hand to my mouth to hide my chuckle, but Luke doesn’t notice. He’s too busy holding Donnie up and speaking to him in hushed tones, softly scolding him for escaping. My laughter dies away as I gaze at this tall, gorgeous man, being so gentle with this tiny creature. And not just any creature; a miniatureNinja Turtle. There’s a flutter between my legs at just how fucking adorable this is.
He goes to put Donnie back in his tank, and when he returns beside me on the couch, his cheeks are still crimson. He picks up his food to continue eating, but I can’t stop staring at him. There goes any hope I had of curbing my attraction to him. Because there’s nothing sexier than a man who’s kind and loving to little creatures—and who also happens to love theNinja Turtles.
It’s not just that, though. He’s different when we’re here, in his apartment—more awkward, almost nervous. I’ve never seen a guy blush so much. For some reason, it’sreallyworking for me.
I turn back to my food with an almighty sigh. Goddammit, I’m in trouble.
When we’re done eating, I return to the table to keep working on the place cards while he continues his game. It only takes me another thirty minutes to finish, and I survey my work, pleased. I hope Alex and Michael like it.
I stand and stretch, wandering towards the couch, apprehensive about interrupting Luke’s game. But he hits pause and turns to me, slipping off his headset with a smile. “How’s it going?”
“All done. Can I use the bathroom? I just want to wash some of this off my hands.”
“Sure. Second door on the right,” he says, turning back to his game.
When I’m finished in the bathroom, I sneak a glance into Luke’s home office. In the corner is Donnie’s tank, and I spot him tucked safely inside, soaking up the warmth from the UV lamp. I giggle as I head back into the living room, imagining Luke finding him in random places all over the apartment. Little Donatello, the escape artist.
Luke pauses his game, looking up. “What are you laughing about?”
I shake my head. “Nothing.”
He flicks off the TV and rises to his feet with an amused grin. “Nothing?”
“Just… Donnie. I can’t believe you have aNinja Turtle.”
The smile slides off his face and he drops his gaze to the floor. I realize he thinks I’m making fun of him and my chest squeezes.
“No,” I say, placing a hand on his arm.
Shit. I shouldnothave done that. I’d forgotten how lovely his forearms are, and when my fingers brush his skin and his gaze snaps back to mine, darkening behind those sexy glasses, my breathing turns shallow.
But my stupid mouth continues without me. “I think it’s cute. I think you’re—”
What the hell are you doing? Don’t tell him you think he’s cute!
I yank my hand away and take a step back, sucking in some air. My heart is hammering, but I force myself to pretend everything is normal. Luckily, I manage a smooth subject change. “Um, is it okay if I leave the place cards here to dry?”
Luke gives a slow exhale, glancing away as though he has to collect himself. “Sure.” When his gaze returns to me, he smiles. “They look great. I’m surprised you got them all done tonight.”
I chuckle. “I find your lack of faith disturbing.”
He stares at me, silent. He has the strangest expression on his face when he finally says, “Did you just… quote Darth Vader?”
“Yeah.” Why is he looking at me like that?
