His eyes flick past my shoulder, then drop to the robe knotted tight at my waist. I feel it like a touch.
The hall is dim, thank God. The light from downstairs doesn’t reach this far, and whatever lamp is on in my room is muted behind my door.
Dim enough that he can’t see the heat crawling up my neck.
Dim enough that I can pretend I’m not blushing like a teenager.
“I set a toothbrush out,” I add, because I can’t stop myself from talking when I’m nervous. “I— I wasn’t sure if you’d want one, but… it’s on the counter.”
His mouth twitches like it might become a smile, but it doesn’t.
I tighten my grip on the banister because it gives my hands somewhere to exist that isn’t on him.
I force myself not to squirm. Not to lean into him. Not to do anything that would make him think I’m inviting something I can’t handle tonight.
I can handle plenty of things.
Or at least I think I can.
Tonight, I might be wrong about that.
His gaze holds mine for a second.
Then he finally lets go of my arm.
The absence of his hand makes my skin feel cold.
“I checked your doors,” he says, “Front and back. Windows too.”
Relief loosens in my chest.
“Thank you,” I say honestly. “Our locks are… not great.”
“I noticed,” he says.
Of course he did.
I adjust the knot of my robe, tugging it tighter even though it’s already tight, because I need something to do with my hands that isn’t fidgeting like a nervous child.
He shifts his weight slightly, and the floorboard gives a soft creak. He’s close enough that I can smell him. Clean soap and something warm underneath it. Something that feels like him.
My cheeks heat again.
“I—” I start, then stop because I don’t know what I was going to say. Goodnight? Thanks for being here? Please don’t be shirtless in my bed because I will actually combust?
Nico’s eyes drop to my face again, like he’s reading me in real time.
I hate how easily he can do that.
I shift my weight back, clearing the path to the bathroom.
“It’s… right there,” I say, nodding at the door like he can’t see it. Like he needs directions in a hallway that’s basically six feet long.
He steps around me, close enough that my body goes tense on instinct.
Not fear.
Just awareness.
