“Did he give you his number by any chance?” No harm in asking.
Beck looks at me, suspicious. “No, why?”
“Oh, I just wanted to check if he’s fine. Haven’t seen him around lately.”
“Right. Nah, man, he was a loner who wanted to be left alone. I would give him what he wants if I were you,” he suggests ominously.
“Right.” I rush back outside.
On cue, my stomach grumbles, reminding me that it’ll stage a riot if I don’t get a move on.
Chapter Five
Matt
After finishing a surprisingly chaotic shift, all I want to do is lie down on the first flat surface in my apartment, cushioning optional. So, when I hear a knock, just as I’m done changing into my sweats, I almost ignore it.
But the smell of sunshine, roses, and …cupcakes? wafting from the door carries my legs in the opposite direction from my bed. The decision not to put on a T-shirt might have been a little more intentional.
Oliver smiles when I open the door. When he notices my lack of clothing, his mouth goes slack, and his breath falters. The intensity of his gaze makes my chest flutter with excitement. Why did he have to be so goddamn perfect?
Suddenly, as if realizing he wasn’t being subtle at all, his eyes snap up to mine.
I grin, pleased by his widened doe eyes, reddening face, and slightly heavy breathing. He’s wearing a blue, “My Superpower IsTurning Caffeine Into Words” T-shirt and fitting, black joggers that I know all too well. They’ve made me lose focus a couple of times.
But the dark circles under his eyes make me stop.
“I baked you cupcakes.” He pushes a plate of cupcakes into my chest.
I take it before it hits me right in the pecs. I look at the perfectly iced cupcakes.
“You like baking!” I say, finally discovering why he sometimes smells like burnt sugar, vanilla, and chocolate. It wasn’t just my mind playing games because he always looks edible.
He tilts his head. “Yeah, it helps me think,” he admits, his voice low like he’s confessing something he didn’t want to say out loud.
I smile to reassure him. “Wanna come in?”
I’m opening the door wider before my mind can catch up. Sleep is a distant thought now. I have a cute, blushing human to scandalize.
“You're up early today,” I comment as he enters.
He seems distracted, like he didn't even hear me. His eyes follow my every move. Then I remember I’m naked from the waist up.
“I'll be right back,” I announce, almost sure he didn't hear me.
He determinedly looks at his cupcakes on the counter while I slowly return to my bedroom. How far below that neckline does his blush go? Everything in my body craves to find out. I shake those thoughts away and put on a T-shirt I just dumped in the laundry.
“You've had coffee?” I ask, walking out of the room.
Oliver seems to have gotten his senses under control. He smiles up at me. “I did, but I wouldn't mind another cup.”
Well, I definitely need one to avoid falling asleep right on his lap. Wouldn’t say no if he offered, though.
I put on the coffee and lean back on the counter, watching him fidget on the couch. He can't sit still for even a minute. How does he write for such long hours?
“You didn't answer me. Why are you up and about so early?”
I've rarely seen or heard Oliver this perky in the morning. And no, I don't stand outside his apartment with my ear pressed to the door. The guy’s just loud, and my ears are inhumanly sharp.
