Page 45 of No Place Like Home
Once the door closed, I turned back to Rowan. He wasseething. His breaths came quick and sharp. His chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, abs tightening with every breath.
Damn. Pissed-off Rowan was fucking hot.
He took a slow, measured step toward me, his eyes dark and narrowed. “You thinkI’mbeing a little overdramatic, Summer? Seriously?”
Heat radiated off him, sank through my tank top, and sent a delicious shiver down my spine. My spine was far too interested in this version of him. And as much as I loved to poke at him, even I had to admit that maybe—just maybe—I’d taken things a little too far.
But, damn, he was sexy when he looked like he wanted to impale me. And there was one thing I wouldn’t mind being impaled with—though now was not the time for that thought.Get your mind focused, Summer!I exhaled sharplyand brushed past him. I needed space before I did something reckless.
He wasn’t finished. “If I’m being a little overdramatic, sweetheart, I must have learned it from you.” His voice dripped with heat and irritation. “You seem to hold the real estate in that department.”
I spun back to face him, my pulse skittering. I needed to put even more space between us before I actually did become overdramatic—like let my hands roam all over that frustratingly perfect chest. “You know what? I’m going to go clean up in the bathroom and leave you to enjoy your coffee.” I nodded awkwardly, turned quickly, and almost fled to the bathroom.
As soon as I shut the door, I sagged against it, dragging in a shaky breath. I could have handled this entire morning completelydifferent. Shoving him out the window—naked?What were you thinking, Summer?
Suddenly there was a banging on the door. “Summer, it’s me,” Rowan demanded. “Open the damn door.”
I opened the door a crack and Rowan pushed his way in.
“Never again, Summer,” he said as he approached me, venom in his gaze.
Every step he took forward, forced me back until I was up against the wall.
He planted his hands on either side of me, caging me in. I could feel his hot breath on my face.
“Don’t youeverpush me out a fucking window again,” he said, his face inches from mine. I couldn’t tear my eyes from him.
“Do you understand me, Summer?” He lowered his voice until it was quiet and controlled. “Last night was amazing and I don’t care if any of them know that we spent the night in the same bed. Hell, I don’t care if they know the things we did to each other.”
I was breathing hard. Not out of fear—I was turned on. Rowan, this pissed off, was as hot as molten lava.
Suddenly his thumb caressed my cheek, and my pulse picked up its pace. I closed my eyes, and my mouth went dry.
“Are you turned on by this, Summer?” he said, voice now seductive and sexy.
I opened my eyes. “Yes, Rowan.” I said, my voice a strained whisper. I licked my lips and brushed my hands up his hard abs. “Very much.”
He leaned closer and our lips almost touched. God, I wanted to taste him so badly. I don't know what it was, but something about him in this state—this agitated, this ready . . . God, I just wantedhim right here, right now. My hands reached his neck and brushed against the stubble on his face.
“You want this don’t you?” he said. “You want me.”
I swallowed hard as my body reacted to him. I nodded and met his gaze. I couldn’t talk. I couldn’t find my voice.
He pushed away from the wall and stood tall. “Sorry, sweetheart, this ain’t happening right now. I gotta get dressed. We have stuff to do.” He turned away and left me alone in the bathroom.
I melted against the wall and took in several deep breaths. That didn’t go well at all.
Chapter 20
Rowan
“Idon’t think I’ve ever seen you two act this harshly with each other.” My mom looked between Summer and me like she was watching a tennis match. “You’ve been biting each other’s heads off all afternoon. Is living together finally straining your friendship, or am I missing something?” She raised her brow.
I huffed and stalked ahead, away. I needed space.
We were at The Landing, a one-stop outdoor shopping area featuring high-end shops, restaurants, a big-chain bookstore, and small boutiques, all anchored by a movie theater. I was tired of walking and shopping. We had already picked up Kai’s gifts, a personalized hand-crafted leather tool belt—which was fucking cool—and the blueprints of their house in a custom frame. I had to admit, Kora knew how to make a lasting impression.
Since then, Summer and my mother had been strolling through every fucking store. The candle store, the jewelry store, a shoe store—at least that one was useful. I needed a new pair of sneakers. Now we were in one filled with lotions and shower gels. There were so many smells I was gettinga headache.
