Page 24 of Holiday Hook-Up
“I can see how that would be exhausting. I haven’t had a roommate since college and I don’t miss it at all.”
He told me a story about how he walked in on his roommate going through his closet specifically to steal his boxers. Talk about awkward encounters. I countered with a memory of my foster sister always stealing my bras, but having to stuff them with socks to fill them out. Probably should have thought about what I was saying, since I caught Logan’s gaze snagged on my chest. I loved the way he looked at me. He made me feel confident, not like I had to pretend to be someone I wasn’t.
“Here we are,” he said as we reached our respective doors. Electricity sparked between us, especially after that kiss. The physical pull I felt to be in his arms was unlike anything I’d ever experienced before.
Time slowed as we both fought an internal battle in our minds. “Do you want to come in for a bit?” I asked, feeling emboldened by our kiss. I pushed my door open, and was greeted by a cool draft.Shit.I’d forgotten about the broken down thermostat. It felt like air conditioning was blowing throughout the room. Logan’s steps slowed as he approached my door.
“Emerald, it’s freezing in here. No wonder your hands were so cold earlier.” I followed him into the room, where he started messing with the thermostat on the wall. “This is odd. It’s on heat and set to 72, but there’s no way heat is coming out of those vents.”
Spotting the closest vent in the ceiling, he lifted his arms, which made his button down shirt come loose from his pants, revealing the smallest amount of tanned skin dusted with dark hair. I barely heard the next question he asked.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
“Has this been blowing cool air all day?” he asked, scowling up at the vent.
“I think so. Gary did mention that maintenance needed to get in here to fix a few things, but I didn’t think it would be a big deal. I’ll be fine. I’ll double up on socks and curl up. Don’t worry.”
To help my case, I opened my still packed suitcase and pulled out two pairs of socks. He looked at them with his brows drawn in like they were the most uninteresting things in the world.
“See, they’re cozy. Nice and warm.”
“Emerald, you’re not staying in here. Your lips are already turning blue.” His tone was all business. “Grab your stuff. You can sleep in my room.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” I knew what would happen and it didn’t involve much sleeping.
His voice lowered. “I can keep my hands to myself.”
“Logan,” I hummed. “Let me just call maintenance and see if there’s anything they can do.” I knew Darius wasn’t working tonight. I’d checked the schedule earlier that morning like I always did. I needed to know if I had to keep my guard up for him.
Logan huffed a breath, pinging his gaze from the door to me and back. “If that’s what you want, but let’s go call them from my room. You have goosebumps up your arms.”
I nodded and he slid off his jacket, wrapping it around my shoulders. His warmth and scent enveloped me, making me feel instantly better.
His room was warm and cozy and smelled like him. Why didn’t I say an enthusiastic yes when he’d asked me to stay? Because, I thought, after that kiss and the tension of the day, boundaries would blur even more and neither of us could have that.
I dialed the extension for the front desk, even though I knew Melvin was the only one holding down the fort in the lobby. Shock rolled through me as Penny answered the line. What was she doing down there?
“Hey, it’s Emmy. I have so many questions, but before I lose my train of thought can you radio maintenance to come up to room 305. There’s cool air blowing from the vents.”
“You have questions? I have questions for you, too. Like why you’re calling from room 306,” she teased. “We’ll catch up after the holidays. Coffee date on me.”
I heard her put in the request before we hung up, wishing each other a Merry Christmas.
“I should go wait in the room, and find out if they can fix the issue.”
He huffed. “I’m going to go change and I’ll meet you over there. It’s late, I want to make sure you’re not going to sass me and try to sleep in that walk-in freezer.”
“Sass you?” I laughed and took a purposeful stride toward the door. “I’d never dream of it, Sir.”
Logan’s tongue darted out to moisten his bottom lip and he scowled in a cute, playful way. Nothing like the look he’d had on his face the night before with Darius.
“Emerald,” he growled. “You know what you’re doing to me.”
I feigned a sweet, innocent look and left him staring after me.
I’donlybeeninmy room for a minute before maintenance knocked and walked inside.Thank God I was still dressed.A wave of panic swept through me as Darius came into view carrying a toolbox.
“Em,” he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “I thought Chris was fucking with me when he told me you were staying up here. I had to see for myself.”
