Page 166 of Surprisingly Us

But then, there’s a knock on my door.

I yank the door open to find Rhys standing there. I should have expected it but seeing his devilishly handsome face makes my stomach twist.

He’s changed since the hotel. He’s effortlessly cool in a black button-down shirt and black slacks, and his hair is doing that thing I like where one unruly strand falls over his forehead. His shirt sleeves are rolled up beneath his elbows, exposing his tattoo.

I hate that he looks good. And I hate how my body reacts to him. Tingling all over, while my heart matches pace with a hummingbird’s wings.

His hazel eyes drink me in. Lips parting in awe as he peruses every inch of my body like he hasn’t seen me in years.

“How’d you get in?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest to hide the fact that my nipples are pebbling beneath my dress.

“Mrs. Donahue was on her way in.”

He swallows thickly, and there’s a hint of uncertainty in his hazel eyes, but he doesn’t have the decency to look regretful about his unauthorized entry.

“I guess I need to work on looking through the peephole before I answer the door. Too many jerks showing up unannounced.”

I glance next door to find Mrs. Donahue there, her overloaded keychain clanging against the door as she works her key in the lock.

“You really need to get that buzzer fixed,” she calls.

“My buzzer isn’t broken, Mrs. Donahue,” I call back.

She waves me off. “No need to thank me, I brought him up for you.”

“Oh, Mrs. Donahue, you shouldn’t have.”

She doesn’t pick up on my sarcasm, or her hearing aid is down so she can’t hear me. It’s a toss-up.

“He’s charming and so handsome, you really are a lucky lady.”

“Serial killers are charming, Mrs. Donahue.”

I get no response, only more praise for Rhys.

“You really are a beautiful couple. Your babies will be adorable.” Her black-rimmed glasses are so thick, I don’t know how she can make out our faces.

“That would require sex, Mrs. Donahue.”

I shouldn’t look at him, because the moment I do his nostrils flare and his eyes darken. He looks like a beautiful dragon, and I’m the one he’s going to scorch.

But I’m too tired to care.

She gives us a little wave. “You kids have a good night.”

“Goodnight, Mrs. Donahue.” It isn’t her fault she was charmed by Rhys. She’s a sweet old lady, so I won’t hold it against her.

I turn back toward Rhys. “I can’t believe you used Mrs. Donahue to get in here.”

“I’m sorry, but I needed to talk to you.”

“What do you want to talk about, Rhys?” I prompt, my sneaker-clad foot tapping vigorously on the hardwood floor. He opens his mouth to start, but I thrust my finger at him. “Wait. No, I don’t want to talk. Actions speak louder than words and you were loud and clear back at the hotel, so I’m good.”

I move to shut the door in his face, but he reaches a hand out to stop it from latching.

“Please, Lettie.” His voice catches and I hate that it pulls on my heartstrings.

The desperation in his voice has me pulling the door back, but only a sliver so I can see him. I realize that was a mistake because the pain in his expression immediately makes my anger melt. The urge for me to reach out to comfort him is overwhelming. But then the moment in the hotel room replays. The ashen look on his face as I stood vulnerable and baring myself to him has my anger returning. If not with him, with myself for letting him affect me this way.

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