Page 37 of The Obvious Check

My mouth purses, and I shake my head, knowing full well that’s a lie. I’ve seen him atBehind Closed Doorsa couple of times and he might’ve paid me a lot of money to pretend I knew him in front of some girl he was trying to tick off. I didn’t ask questions; I just agreed and took the money before Luke could find out about it.

“Good. Any girl who meets him becomes obsessed. Has these piercing eyes, apparently.”

So do you.

I shake the thought out of my head before I accidentally say it out loud.

“He’s one of the quarterbacks on the football team. His dad developed the apartment block, and I managed to negotiate a good rental rate because I paid for the year upfront.”

“Cool.”

“My bedroom is over there.” He points to the opposite side of the living room with one door. I nod. Then he walks close to me and opens the door beside me. “And this is my guest room.”

When I turn, I’m in awe. Just like his picture, everything looks so nice and homey. Stanley brushes past my leg to make his way into the space and jumps on the bed, making himself at home. “Cade, it’s beautiful.”

Cade walks in, encouraging me to follow. “Like I said, my sister is the one to thank for that. I told her she could use it when she’s looking after Stanley and she may have taken it as an invitation to do what she wanted with the place.” Stanley snuggles into the fluffy purple pillow and my bones ache to join him. I bet that bed would feel really comfortable right now.

“Speaking of. She’s left a bunch of her stuff in the closet, which you’re more than welcome to use.” I bite my bottom lip, feeling like an imposter in his home. “The adjoining bathroom is just there.”

He points to a door, which I assume is the closet.

“It has its own bathroom?” I squeak louder than most would deem appropriate.

“Yeah, otherwise you’d have to share a shower with me.”

I flick my gaze to his, immediately regretting it when I see the hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. I drag my eyes back to the bed, desperately hoping he didn't catch the flash ofheat that must have shown on my face at the mental image his words conjured—his body slick with water, steam rising around his shoulders, those hands that demolish opponents on the ice sliding soap across my skin. Fuck, I need to get a grip before I spontaneously combust in his pristine guest bedroom.

“Oh, and there’s one other thing.”

He walks out of the room, leaving me alone with Stanley. I shuffle over to the bed and drop my bag onto the blanket before I reach out to give him another stroke. He lifts his paw, nudging me like he’s inviting me to sit beside him. So I do.

When Cade comes back, he’s holding a pile of clothes.

“What are those?” I ask.

He lifts the fabric, revealing a large Covey Crushers shirt and some purple basketball shorts. “I’m not sure if my sister’s left any PJs. So this is something comfortable to sleep in, just in case.”

His clothes.

He wants me to wear his clothes to sleep. I look down at my sweatshirt and leggings before letting out a humorless laugh. I guess if I was wearing his clothes, I’d be able to wash everything I own this time.

Cade places the pile next to me. “No problem if you don’t want them. It’s just an offer. There are some fresh towels in the closet, and that’s all I can think you’d need to know. You’re the first guest I’ve had not related to me, so is there anything else you need?”

So earnest. So eager. So sweet.

“Why?” I blurt out, instantly covering my mouth with my hand as though that could take it all away.

“Why what?” he asks, tilting his head as he studies me.

I close my eyes and gain the courage to ask the question that’s been on the tip of my tongue since I met him. “Why me? Why are you being so nice to me? There are plenty of girls vying for yourattention. All of them are prettier, richer and have a hell of a lot more going for them, yet you’re always here, looking at me. Like that.” I wave my hand in front of his face, annoyed that he makes me feel like I’m losing my mind half the time.

He grins, seemingly enjoying my squirming under his scrutiny.

“Why you? Why not me?”

“What does that even mean?”

“It means I think you deserve someone in your corner for once. Someone to fight for you, to have your back. Whynotme?” He holds my gaze, unwavering, his voice softer now, more certain. “Iwantto help. So let me. Take it.” His lips twitch into a small grin before he adds, “Hell, take everything else while you’re at it, too.”

---