By the end of the week, I know Evan leaves the TV on when he falls asleep, which coffee mug is Callum’s, and that Silas hates disruptions before nine a.m.
On Friday night, I head downstairs to grab water and find Callum in the gym.
The door is open.
I should walk past. I don’t.
He’s shirtless, running on the treadmill, headphones in, sweat dripping down his spine. His muscles move under his skin as he runs. I watch longer than I should.
He catches me in the mirror and grins.
Then he slows the treadmill and pulls out his headphones. “Enjoying the view?”
My face heats. “I was passing by.”
“You were staring.”
“Passing by,” I correct, reiterating.
He steps off the treadmill and grabs a towel, wiping his face. “You can stare. I don’t mind.”
“I wasn’t staring.”
He tosses the towel onto a bench and crosses to me, and he’s closer than necessary. Close enough that I smell sweat and something clean underneath.
My back hits the doorframe. “You’re sweaty.”
“You’re blushing.”
I’m totally blushing. “I’m leaving.”
His hand lands on the frame beside my head, blocking me in. Not trapping. But deliberate. “You’ve been here a week. You haven’t left the penthouse once except to go to the museum.”
“I’ve been settling in.”
“You should be settled by now.” His eyes drop to my mouth, back up. “Let’s go have some fun. Tonight. You, me, Evan. Dancing.”
The word sends a thrill through me. “Dancing?”
“Moving your body to music.” He grins.
I roll my eyes. “I know what dancing is.”
“We are going to a club tonight. You have a whole closet full of new clothes and threehusbandswho will buy you whatever you want. Might as well enjoy it.”
“Silas won’t go?” I ask.
“Silas never goes.” Callum pushes off the frame. “He’ll stay here and work. We’ll take you out. Show you off.”
Show me off.
“I don’t know if I should.”
“Don’t overthink it, Red.” He heads back to the treadmill. “We leave at ten. Wear something I won’t be able to stop thinking about.”
I leave immediately, so I don’t risk staring again.
Upstairs, I close my door and lean against it. He’s right. I need to have some fun.
