The first responders release everyone else back to their apartments. Most of our neighbors give us sad smiles as they shuffle back inside, but a few of them send daggers our way.
“It was all him.” I point at Dean. “Direct your fury at this guy.”
Dean smacks my finger away. “Stop that. We’ve been over this: you distracted me with—”
“My towel—yeah, I’ve heard. You know, you keep bringing that up. It’s almost as if you have a little crush on me or something.”
He scoffs. “I already told you, I’d find anyone attractive in a towel.”
“Whatever you need to tell yourself to help you sleep in the room across from me at night. Speaking of that…” I push myself up from the ambulance, facing him. “This whole you-moving-in thing is completely temporary.”
“That was my understanding too.”
“It’s just until your place gets fixed or you find other accommodations.”
He narrows his eyes. “Yeah, I got that.”
“And there will be rules.”
He exhales. “I figured as much.”
“Good. I just want to make myself clear.”
“You’re clear.”
I turn on my heel and start to head back into the building—then something hits me.
Dean said I was sexy.
A line needs to be drawn ASAP.
I turn back to him, and he looks at me with curious eyes.
“Yes, River?” Up goes the brow.
“You can’t try to sleep with me.”
He drops his jaw, stunned by what I’ve said.
Then, he bursts into laughter.
And not just any sort of laughter.
No. It’s the loud kind, the type that drawseveryeye in a hundred-foot radius.
That’s exactly what’s happening—everyoneis looking over at us as he doubles over.
“Seriously?” I scowl, waiting for him to get himself together.
When he finally comes up for air, he’s swiping at his eyes like he’s brushing back tears.
“Oh, man. Thank you for that. I needed a good laugh. It’s been a long day.” Dean pushes up from the ambulance, grabbing Leo’s hut. He stalks toward me with confidence. “Don’t worry, River, I’m not going to have an issue resisting you.”
“Not even in”—I drop the spacesuit—“this?”
Dean’s eyes darken the moment the blanket hits the ground, his jaw clenching tightly as his nostrils flare.
He tries, I’ll give him that.