Page 17 of Catching Feeling

It’s part of the reason why I’m so attracted to her. That and the fact that she’s easily the hottest girl I’ve ever laid eyes on, no question.

Add in the fact that she pretends to hate me, and my dick thinks it’s the chase of a lifetime.

Viv walks around my living room and takes in the large cloud sectional and ottoman, then glances over at me, her eyebrows raised. “I’m surprised there aren’t stripper poles and beer pong tables in the living room.”

“Oooh, that’s judgy, Viv.”

“I’m judging you, not the strippers. I support sex workers.”

I smirk. “Mhm. It’s just a regular house, Viv. I mean… it’s a bachelor pad because it’s always just been me, but still. I keep my space clean, and I don’t have parties here. Ever.”

“Shocker,” she mutters, walking further around the room. Her finger drags along the edge of the entertainment center below the eighty-five-inch flat-screen, and then she lifts it to inspect it like she expects to find dirt. She won’t find any.

“Come on, I’ll show you the rest of the house.” I nod toward the hallway, then walk toward the spare room. She follows behind me, and I point out the bathroom with the Jacuzzi tub and waterfall shower, the kitchen, the outdoor area that has an outdoor kitchen, heated pool, and hot tub until we get to the end of the hallway where her room would be. I swing the door open and step aside so she can check it out. Her gaze drags over the bare cream walls, the plush carpet, and the metal-frame, king-size bed against the wall.

“I’ve got the master across the hall, and since there’s not a bathroom in here, you’d have to use the bathroom down the hall.”

Viv nods, chewing her lip as she walks over to the arched window and peers out of it. “You’re so nonchalant about this, it’s unbelievable. Look, I’m not happy about having to do this, okay? I feel like I’m backed into a corner because you and I both know that I don’t have another option. If I did, I wouldn’t be here. But… I really do appreciate you offering to do this. I hate inconveniencing anyone with my situation and definitely will not be bothering Hallie with it, so thank you. For keeping the reason why quiet, and for… you know, offering me your spare room.”

“It’s nothing. I’ve got the space, and you need a place to stay.” I shrug as I lean against the doorframe and cross my arms over my chest. I want to make a comment about how I’m actually the one reaping the benefits of this arrangement if it means I get to see her walk around my house in those tiny shorts she loves to wear, but I refrain. Barely. This is the first time I think I’ve ever heard her be so… vulnerable. “As long as you don’t, I dunno… murder me in my sleep or something.”

Her eyes narrow as her brow quirks. “Don’t tempt me, and that won’t be a problem. But you should know that I absolutely know how to dispose of a body and have no problem getting my hands dirty.”

“Yeah, I know exactly how dirty you can get, Viv.” I chuckle when she rolls her eyes. She pretends to hate my constant flirting, but I know better. Just like I knew better the night I took her home and showed her just how good it could be between us.

“As much as it pains me to admit this… this place is really nice and honestly probably way out of my price range. Money is… tight for me for a while, and I need to know how much half the rent is so I can see if this is even financially doable,” she says, deflecting from my suggestive comment.

“Ah, I don’t even know. We can figure it out later. It’s hella cheap because my parents own the place. When do you need to be out of your dorm?”

“Tomorrow evening. I don’t have much to pack or move. Most of my furniture was provided by the school. I just have a few small things like my minifridge and my personal stuff. I was going to ask Lane, Eli, and Grant if they’d help. I mean… you know, if I decide to move in here.”

I chuckle. “How about we just cut the bullshit and be real with each other, yeah? You need a place to stay, I’ve got a room, and now that you’ve seen that it’s not a party house or some crazy sex dungeon like I’m sure you had envisioned, move in. Be my roommate. Don’t let the fact that you can’t resist me be the reason you pass up an opportunity to solve your problem.”

Her lips flatten. “You’re delusional if you think the reason I’m not jumping at moving in with you is because I can’t resist you. There’s no way you actually believe that?”

I shrug. “You tell me, babe. Because it seems like I’ve got plenty of room, and you don’t have a lot of options right now, yet still some part of you is hesitant about what you already know is the right choice.”

I can see the war waging inside of her, and I stand there silently, my arms crossed over my chest as her eyes scan what will be her new room.

“Fine. But know that it’s because I have literally no other option. I still hate you.” She huffs as she crosses her arms over her chest, much like my stance.

“Never would’ve dreamed anything different, babe. Although, if I remember correctly, hating each other is much more fun.”

3

viv

Move In Day

You know what should actually be illegal?

Sweating… in January.

Not just sweating in January, but a shirtless, chiseled, and hot-as-shit Reese Landry sweating in January.

My gaze follows a rivulet of sweat as it slowly slides down his torso into the dip between the carved muscles of his abdomen.

Seriously, who has that many abs?

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