Page 107 of If Our Hearts Collide

“The guy inside your apartment.”

Did he just growl?

Yup. I think he did.

“Luke?”

“I care about his purpose being there, not his name, Penelope.”

I make a face. He’s extra testy. “Apparently my roommate.”

“Did you sign up for a male roommate just to defy me?”

My jaw feels like it just crashed onto the floor. “Defy you?” I shake my head. “Really? Believe it or not, Mr. Stone…” I watch as his eyes darken but I continue my rant. I’m too invested now to back down. “My choices do not revolve around you. I am capable of going through life as I please.”

He takes a step closer, causing me to back up. I feel the coolness of the wall behind me, but my body is full of adrenaline. I am charged, and the fire that starts in my toes ignites, sending shock waves of heat throughout my entire body.

“What’s Luke’s last name?”

“I thought you didn’t care about his name.”

“Tell me.”

“Hell if I know. We literally just met.”

Collins’s eyes narrow. “You let a stranger into your apartment?”

“He had his own key, I am sure.”

“What the hell, Penny? Have you lost your?—”

Mind.

I bite my bottom lip, trying not to react.Do not react. I shoulder past Collins, making my way to the door I was tossed through, when I feel a light tug on my hand.

“Pen?”

“Hmm?”

“I didn’t mean it that way. And I don’t see you that way. It was just an expression.”

I pull my hand from his. “We are done here.”

This whole detour was pointless. I exit into the hallway and then make my way to the elevators. I slam the call button and then enter. Resting my butt against the handrail in the back of the car, I close my eyes as I think over how I’m going to handle rooming with Luke-whatever-his-last-name-is.

I never have cohabitated with a male before, so this shall be interesting.

I exit the elevator at my floor and make my way to my apartment. Pushing open the door, I stumble forward as I’m graced with Luke doing a handstand in the living room. He bends his knees, flicking them into the air, as he gyrates his hips. I stand dumbfounded as he flips himself over and then spots me ogling him. Licking his lips, he shoots me a satisfied look.

“Come to my show, and you will get the VIP treatment.” Then he winks.

“I thought the entire club was VIP.” My mouth feels like cotton is stuffed inside.

“It is, but there’s always a way to make extra special guests feel”—his eyes trail over my flushed skin—“special. I’ll even throw in the free upgrade to the Princess Package.”

“You are so full of yourself. You know that, right?”

“But you like it a little. I can tell.”

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