Page 11 of Frat House Fling

“So can I.”

“But it’s my job.”

“I won’t tell if you won’t. Come on.”

He was halfway up the stairs before I was composed enough to follow. I had a good view of his calves, a body part I hadn’t spent a long time studying in the past. But his were nice. Tan. Strong-looking. And lightly covered in dark hair.

It was strange, but I wasn’t usually in the habit of admiring men’s bodies. In high school I hadn’t dated. I’d spent my time studying, wanting to give myself the best chance of earning a scholarship as possible. Then in the year after high school, I’d worked two jobs and taken care of my grandfather, so there was no time then either.

During the school year, a handful of my male classmates had asked me out, but it was hard enough to keep up with my classes even without that kind of distraction.

And Theo’s body was sure distracting.

As we arrived back in the kitchen, it occurred to me that he was also the only one in this house who seemed friendly. So, I convinced myself that that was the reason he fascinated me. If he’d been another clone of Bennett and Grant, I would’ve run for the hills.

Except, who was I kidding, I couldn’t do that. Not if I wanted a roof over my head once the summer was over.

Theo set the beer on the counter and went straight to the sink. As I put the bottles away in the fridge, I kept peeking at him out of the corner of my eye. He washed his hands and then splashed water on his face, running his hands through his short, dark hair. When he turned around, I had my head down, pretending to concentrate on flattening the cardboard boxes from the six packs.

But when the silence grew, I finally looked up and met his eyes. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Do you have more to bring up?”

I took a quick glance in the fridge. Most of the shelves were full. “Just one more trip.”

“Want me to help?” he offered.

“No, that’s okay. I’m sure you need to get going.” My gaze fell back to the tattoos on his chest, which were still damp from his workout. “You probably need to shower or something.”

Crap, why had I said that? Now I was thinking about him wearing even less. But Theo just grinned. “Yeah, probably a good idea, especially since we’re going out tonight. Bennett told you about that, right?”

“Yes.”

“Good. But tomorrow night, I’m looking forward to eating something that you’ve cooked.” He gave me one last smile and then strode out.

I leaned against the fridge, feeling tired and somehow defeated. This part, the cleaning and stocking, I could do. But cooking? I’d prepared the food for my grandfather and me, but not for young men who likely had big appetites and highbrow tastes.

This was part of the job, but I sure wished that they could eat out tomorrow night, too.

And maybe every night from here on out as well.

5

HAILEY

My phone vibratedon the table in front of me. It was on silent, but I still snatched it up guiltily. I was doing homework in a study carrel at the university library and didn’t want to disturb anyone else. Langley had many specialized libraries, such as engineering, history, and law, but I usually spent my time in the main one.

The text was from Tori.How are the frat boys?

It took me a moment to think of how to answer that. The only one I felt I knew even a little was Theo. But they were supposed to be my employers, not my friends.They’re OK.

Are you?she asked.

Yes.

Do I need to come rescue you?

I gave a rueful grin. Tori was the first friend I’d made here, and it was nice to know she had my back.Not yet, but I’ll let you know.

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