Page 7 of Kissing the Grump

“So dramatic.” Katie giggles, confirming she is enjoying this rather than feeling any sort of sympathy. “Then what happened? Did he bust down your door and strip you naked? Throw you on the bed?—”

“No,” I interrupt and tack on a scowl I don't really mean. The thought does hold some appeal because I'm apparently losing my mind. “Your imagination is not only perverted, but borderline psychotic sometimes.”

She shamelessly grins, revealing pearly white teeth. “I know. So, what happened next then?”

“Nothing.” I shrugged, which seems to be my go-to for anything grump-related. He confuses me. “He hasn't been back to the shop since then. Or at least not when I've been working, and there's no way I'm asking my boss if she's seen him.”

Katie nods. “Makes sense. But I get the feeling you're leaving things out. The guy sounds like an asshole, but he's also not because he saved your precious snow-white skin. And I sort of think you want to do him.”

“What?” My voice rises so high that the word cracks with a mix of an awkward squeak. “No way.”

“If you say so.” She snorts, clearly not believing me. I don't believe me either.

I’m saved from replying, at least for now, when our server arrives. He sets a plate of pancakes and eggs in front of me and a veggie omelet in front of Katie. After he tells us to enjoy and walks away, Katie immediately starts shoveling food into her mouth. I know she'll want to know more later, but there's honestly nothing else to tell her yet. I know run-ins with Forrest are bound to happen again, but maybe eventually he'll grow tired of glaring at me. And maybe I won't create some sort of disaster. One can hope anyway.

Katie hadto bolt for her shift at a local bar after we'd finished eating, and I have the day off. I'm stuffed and lazy, so I don't feel like walking around the city to explore. I'm left sitting on my bed alone, streaming a reality show on my phone to cure the boredom.

I feel trapped in this small shoebox of a room because Parker is home as always and gaming. His headset is on as usual, yet he has music blaring from speakers that he's not even listening to. His time would be better spent doing the piles of laundry he leaves around the apartment to make the place habitable. That isn't going to happen any time soon. Judging by his greasy blond hair, I don't think he's moved from that sunken spot on thecouch for days to even shower. I honestly don't know how he pays his part of the rent, and I'm afraid to ask.

Over the noise, I hear banging on the front door. I glance toward my closed door and frown. No one ever comes over. Not since I've been here at least. I know there's no way Parker is going to see who it is, so I press pause on my show and set my phone on my nightstand.

I slide off the bed and walk through the apartment, hesitating when the banging starts again. The person doesn't seem happy, and since I have no idea what Parker’s friends are like, I'm afraid of what's on the other side of the door.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door and freeze. It’s definitely not a friend of Parkers. It's Forrest Grump himself, and he looks absolutely livid, though the expression does seem to ease slightly when he sees me for some reason.

“I was expecting Parker,” he says loud enough to be heard. Parker pays no attention to the new arrival, and it's awkward to be shouting at Forrest over the music and my roommate's voice.

I press my hand against Forrest's chest to push him backward without thinking. I think I notice a catch in his breath but can't be sure. Urging him back into the hall, I follow him and close the door behind us. The sound is barely muffled, and I immediately know that's what drew grumpy pants from his bear cave.

“I can't work with all that ridiculous noise, and he knows it,” he grumbles, but again, it's barely audible.

I'm not having this conversation in the hall anymore where I'll just struggle to hear him, so I start walking toward his apartment.

“Where are you going?” He spins around and follows me as I open his door. His tone is laced with annoyance and surprise. Honestly, I'm shocked at the bold move too. Something aboutthis guy eliminates my normal shyness, to a point. But if he wants to talk, this is the only way it's going to happen.

CHAPTER FIVE

FORREST

I blinkin puzzlement at Elliot's back as he steps inside my apartment. Did he just open the door and waltz in like he owned the place? Yes, I think he did. And what am I supposed to do with him in my space?

Slowly, I enter through the door and glance at my desk. It's the one place I should not have looked because of what I'd done there while thinking of Elliot. The mental images I'd stroked my cock to immediately flood my thoughts and I fight my body's reaction. But I have no control over my mind. Now that he's physically present, I still think he would look better naked on my couch. I curse under my breath. Having him in my home is a bad idea. I should tell him to leave immediately. But I don't.

“Do you always just let yourself into other people's apartments?” I grumble as I stalk toward the refrigerator and jerk open the door. Grabbing a water bottle, I hesitate, debating whether or not to offer him one. I finally cave and grab two, carrying one back to where he's now standing in the middle of my living room.

“No, but I couldn't hear you and didn't feel like having to shout at each other.” He takes the water before his gaze sweeps around the room, appearing to look at the artwork and fewfamily photos I have mounted on the walls. I don't want Elliot to know anything about my life, because then he might ask questions. The last thing we need to do is get to know each other.

I had a reason for going to Parker's apartment and it's smart to concentrate on the topic at hand so I can get rid of him as quickly as possible.

I take a seat on the couch and look up at him. “I can't work with all that noise coming from across the hall.”

“Believe me, I get it.” Elliot sighs, and I know that living with Parker, he really does understand. “But Parker is Parker. I don't know what you want me to do about it.”

“I don't expect you to do anything. I was hoping he'd be answering the door.” I'd never imagined my trip over there would result in Elliot standing in my apartment.

He rolls his eyes. “Parker wouldn't know how to answer the door if it was the police threatening to break down the thing.”

“I'm aware what he's like, and I have no idea how you live with him.” I twist the cap off my water and take a long swallow.

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