Page 56 of Wild Love
“Your neighbor?”
“Yeah, why not? She was pretty and seemed nice.”
“I know you think I pursue every chick that meets that criteria, but I do have some restraint.”
She raises both brows and smirks at me before going back to her phone.
“I should head up to my place.”
“Why?”
“Umm, because that’s where I live. Unless you’ve decided you want to be roomies?”
“You’re welcome to sleep on the couch as long as you want, Mav.”
“I knew you didn’t want to get rid of me. So… roomies?”
She bites on her bottom lip. “Are you planning on hanging out at my place every night, regardless?”
“Pretty much,” I say with a nod.
“What about…” She stops herself and blushes.
“What about what?”
“Girls, Maverick. Are you going to be bringing random girls home?” The color in her cheeks creeps down her neck.
The thought hadn’t even occurred to me. Not when I can spend the evenings with Dakota all to myself. I hold up my hand like I’m taking an oath. “I will not bring random girls back to the apartment.”
“Then, yeah, might as well. I’ll feel less guilty if you can find someone to sublease this place.” With that, she stands and heads toward her room. “Does the spare room at your place have a locking door?” She grins playfully.
“What’d I tell you, Kota.” I lie down and tuck an arm behind my head. “Not until you beg me.”
* * *
The next morningwhen Dakota wakes up, I have Jack, Declan, and Leo over to help move her stuff upstairs.
She comes out of her room wearing a big T-shirt, red hair all mussed, and sexy as hell. “Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes,” Jack says, and his gaze drops to her long, toned legs.
“I see you all continue to travel in a herd even after college.” She runs a hand over her bed head. “I’m going to need coffee. A lot of it.”
“Already on it.” I pick up the tray and offer her a cup. Part of the deal for getting the guys to help was coffee. The other was agreeing to go to a party at Jack’s house next weekend—like a party is a real imposition. I think Jack just wanted to make sure I’d come and get to know some of the guys outside of workouts. That and he was probably hoping for another run-in with my hot new roommate.
“What are you all doing here so early?” She looks at me. “We’re going to need some ground rules on acceptable times for your friends to come over.”
“Don’t worry, babe. It’s a one-time occurrence and for a good cause. They’re moving you in with me.” I dangle a key card in front of her face and then put it on the counter.
Jack picks up the chair in the living room, and Dec and Leo each grab an end of the couch. She watches them carry her mom’s furniture out of the apartment with a sleepy, dazed look.
“What is up with you this morning?” I ask. “You’re usually all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed first thing.”
“I didn’t sleep well.”
“No? That sucks.” I lean against one crutch. “Everything okay?”
Her blue eyes lift to mine, then drop to take in my bare chest. I fight off a smile. Ah, shit. No way. Is that guilt? Embarrassment? This is awesome.
