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All this man has to do is click his tongue at me, and I’m ready to throw myself at his feet, belly up. I’m no better than Matilda.
“Thank you. My keys are—”
He holds them up, wearing a smug grin. “Why don’t you make yourself at home and get familiar with the place? The fridge and pantry are fully stocked. I’ll just be a few minutes.”
Goddamn, are all the boys around here so generous, or did I just get lucky?
I don’t know who his mother is, but I think she needs to write a book. The world could use more Roman Kingsleys; that’s for damn sure.
I take a seat on the kitchen barstool and help myself to a glass of wine, which he’s already opened and set out. A girl could get used to this kind of treatment.
Surely he isn’t always this perfect…right? I’ve been around the block enough to know that if something seems too good to be true, then it usually is. He’s a man after all. He’s bound to have some flaws.
I toss back a gulp of wine and refill my glass, feeling the edge of my nerves begin to soften.
Maybe it’s good that I’ll be so close to him. It’ll give me a better chance to get over this pathetic crush I can’t seem to shake. It’s only a matter of time before the mask starts to fall, and I get to see who’s really beneath that good-guy exterior.
“Where do you want these?” Roman asks, his arms so full of bags, I can barely see his face.
My heart rate skyrockets when I notice the black duffel bag hanging over his shoulder, strands of bubblegum-pink hair peeking out behind the half-zipped pocket.
I nearly choke on my wine. “Uh… You can just set them down in the bedroom,” I say through a fit of coughs as I jump up from my seat to chase him.
I make it to the bedroom just as he finishes setting all the bags down. “Thank you. You really didn’t have to do that.” I brace myself in the doorway, still trying to catch my breath after aspirating on my wine. “Sorry about that,” I say quickly. “I must’ve forgotten about the bags my sister left in my trunk.”
Play it cool, Kira. Whatever you do, do not look guilty right now.
He waves me off. “It’s no trouble. Let me know if you need help carrying them back to your car.”
I bite my lip and cross my arms over my chest, feeling the guilty blush branding my skin. “I will. Thanks.”
“All right, well, I’ll let you get settled in.”
He starts to leave, and I step aside to let him pass. As he brushes by, the warm, intoxicating scent of his cologne lingers in the air, catching me off guard.
“I left my number on the fridge. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything.” When he reaches the door, he stops and spins around.
My stomach tightens, and I hold my breath, waiting for him to call me out.
He looks nervous when he says, “I know you have your own car…but since we’re both going to the same place, you’re more than welcome to ride with me.”
I let out a long sigh, feeling my shoulders start to relax. “Yeah. Sounds good,” I say, my voice a little too cheery to sound natural.
If I were in my right mind, I’d decline that offer. But right now, I just need him to leave before my facial expression gives me away. How I’ve managed to skirt by with an acting career all these years when I’m so terrible at hiding my emotions is baffling.
Seemingly satisfied, Roman flashes me those panty-melting dimples, completely oblivious to the way they affect me. “Great. We’ll leave at eight. That way we have time to pick up a coffee on the way.” He goes to leave, then calls back over his shoulder, “Now get some rest. I have a feeling you’re going to need it.”
When the door clicks shut, I collapse onto the sofa and bury my face in my hands.
That was close. Way too close.
Thirty minutes alone with him, and I’m already having flashbacks.
How the hell am I supposed to keep this ruse up for the rest of the summer?
CHAPTER NINE
Roman
