Page 35 of Absolutely Not in Love
He’s shaking his head before I even finish my sentence. “I’m doing this, Gracie. You don’t need to use your renter’s insurance.”
“That’s why Ihaveinsurance,” I protest.
“Not this time,” he says, his voice firm and commanding. “You shouldn’t have to wait as long as it will take for an insurance claim to come through. I’ll get the repairs done, and I’ll replace whatever is ruined. I don’t want you to worry about anything.”
I nod, catching my bottom lip between my teeth. Firm-and-commanding Felix isverysexy. “How long will it take?”
He runs a hand through his hair. “A week, maybe? Two weeks, tops.” He frowns. “The bad news is your apartment will be under construction the whole time. You won’t have any water, and workers will be in and out during the day.”
“So I definitely won’t be staying here.” My stomach sinks at the thought. Two weeks with nowhere to live? I think about the handful of private students I teach in the afternoons and evenings a few nights a week. Nowhere to live also means nowhere toteach.
My mind quickly filters through my options. There’s Josh’s house. He doesn’t have a guest room, but he does have a couch. But I can’t imagine trying to teach with Maddox hanging around. And two weeks? I love my brother, but we would get on each other’s nerves after twodays.
There’s always Mom and Dad’s place. Their house is quiet enough that teaching wouldn’t be a problem, but two weeks of pretending like we’re happy to spend so much time together just feels uncomfortable.
Which leaves a hotel? An Airbnb?
“I realize how inconvenient this is, Gracie,” Felix says. “I’m sorry. I’ll make sure your rent is prorated for the month.”
I nod. “Of course. I’m not worried about that.”
He takes a step forward, his body language shifting as he pushes his hands into his pockets. “Also, I…” He holds his hands up. “I don’t want to be presumptuous. And I’m more than happy to pay for a hotel if you aren’t comfortable with the idea and you don’t have anywhere else to stay. But…Idohave a guest room.” His gaze drops to the floor for a beat, his expression sheepish. “You’re welcome to it,” he says. “And you’re welcome to use the living room for your lessons.”
My lessons? He’s even thinking about where I might teach my students?
A thrill of excitement—or is that fear?—pulses through me at the thought of staying with Felix. His library alone is enough to make me want to say yes. But two weeks living as Felix’s roommate? Sharing the same space? Seeing each other every single day?
I look into Felix’s light brown eyes, then take in his broad shoulders, the way his hair brushes against his collar. Attraction flares low in my belly, stronger than anything I’ve been trying to ignore the past few weeks.
If I really want to squelch any growing attraction, moving into his apartment, even just temporarily, is a terrible idea.
“It’s too much,” I say, my face heating as soon as I realize I’ve said the words out loud.
Fortunately, Felix takes them to mean he’sofferingtoo much, which is a lot better than what I really meant.
He’s too much,and if we do this, I’m not sure I’ll be able to resist him.
“It’s not, Gracie,” he says. “It’s the least I can do. You’re in this mess because of me.” His jaw tightens the slightest bit, and a ghost of his earlier frustration passes over his face. “It would make me feel better if I could do this for you. Besides, I’ll be on the road with the team next weekend. You’ll have the place to yourself.”
I’m going to say yes. It’s stupid to pretend I’m not. It has to be better than staying with Josh or my parents, and it’s the most logical choice since my students are used to coming here for lessons anyway.
But the biggest reason I’m saying yes doesn’t have anything to do with logic or convenience.
I could tell myself it’s all about the bookshelves and the fancy towels, but there’s no denying it’s really the man in front of me.
I’m saying yes because I like the idea of being closer to Felix. Maybe I just likehim.
And I have no idea what to do about that.
Chapter Nine
Felix
Foralltheclothesshe’s wearing, I can no longer see a single one of Gracie’s curves, but somehow she still makes my oversized sweats look sexy. Maybe because they’re mine, and that creates an intimacy between us we’ve never experienced before.
All I know is I can’t take my eyes off of her.
And now she’s going to be sleeping in my guest room.
