Page 34 of I Could Be Yours

“This is the kitchen.” I motion to our surroundings, then beckon him to follow me to the living room. A series of framedart prints featuring princesses and their princes line the wall. The bookshelves are filled with books based on fairy tales.

“You and pink are a thing, eh?” he observes, pausing to examine the photo collage comprised of pictures of me and Rix over the years.

“It’s a happy color.” And related to love and sexuality. I straighten a heart-shaped throw pillow and fold a blanket, draping it over the arm of the couch, which is a dusty rose color.

Nate stops at the bookshelf, scanning the titles. One shelf consists solely of special-edition fairy tales, but the one below still holds a handful of my textbooks from university—the ones I sometimes refer back to when I need to look up the chemical structure of a specific makeup or skin care product.

“Quite the eclectic array of reading material.” He plucks a textbook on the science of skin care from the shelf and leafs through it before sliding it back in place. “I didn’t realize how much chemistry is involved.”

“Combining the wrong products can cause unpleasant interactions,” I explain.

Nate tips his head. “It’s science and art. You went to university just like I did. Don’t downplay the challenge or the accomplishment.”

“It’s a vastly different skill set, and mine won’t change lives.” I point toward the next door and change the subject. “The bathroom is through there.”

Nate leaves it alone and pokes his head inside the bathroom. His eyebrows lift, but he doesn’t comment. The pink theme is strong, but no other guy who’s been in my apartment has focused on the color, the décor, or my bookshelves.

Nate heads for the last door, which is my bedroom. The one room I hadn’t planned to show him.

I set my wineglass on the coffee table and gazelle leap past him to barricade the doorway. My bedroom is an homage to every princess fairy tale I’ve ever read. He will one-hundred percent make fun of me if he sees it.

His body collides with mine, and I slap a hand over his eyes. “You can’t see my bedroom.”

“Why not? What’s the worst that could happen?” His fingers curve around my mine as he pries them away from his eyes.

I could try to seduce him, and he could reject me, and the next few weeks would be unbearably awkward. I reach behind me and pull my bedroom door closed. “It’s a mess because Rix and I were narrowing down my wardrobe choices for our girls’ weekend. All my bathing suits and pretty lingerie are lying on my bed.”

Nate’s fingers stay wrapped around mine, and his nostrils flare. “Why do you need lingerie for a girls’ weekend?”

I smile up at him, enjoying the dark look on his face. “I like to be prepared for every possible adventure.”

He scowls and clears his throat.

I wish everything about him wasn’t such a turn-on.

“Are you saying that to push my buttons?”

“Do you want me to push your buttons, Nathan?”

“Maybe.” His voice softens. “I bet your lingerie is all pink and lacy.”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Yeah, actually, I would.” His brow creases. “And it’s driving me up the fucking wall.”

His admission shocks and emboldens me. He doesn’t believe in love, doesn’t want the same things I do, so hooking up with him will never lead to anything else. He won’t fall for me, and I won’t fall for someone who thinks love isn’t even real. He’s safe because he can’t hurt me. So I needle him. “Can’t stop thinking about that kiss, huh?”

“No. I can’t. I also can’t stop thinking about dance lessons and that idiot ex of yours.” He’s sincereandannoyed.

Our eyes lock, and then drop to each other’s mouths.

I want him to break.

And he does. “Fuck it.”

One second, we’re standing in the middle of the hallway, andthe next, I’m pressed against the wall, Nate’s knee between my thighs and his lips dragging along the column of my throat.

“Why do you have to be so fucking tempting?” He groans and bites the edge of my jaw.

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