Page 1 of Teased By My Roommate

LILA

As I placed my key in the first lock, I could feel the familiar Friday evening energy wash over me. Then the second lock clicked open, and I leaned against the heavy door to my new home and pushed.

Peace and quiet in my strange apartment.

Walking through the giant warehouse loft space, I dropped my bag on a kitchen chair and headed straight for the coffee maker. Half-caff hazelnut with a touch of whipped cream was going to be my exciting start to the weekend.

Just as I finished filling the pot, I heard the shower start. Perfect timing, since I’d heard the water pressure was sketchy in this ancient building.

Checking the calendar on the fridge, it looked like Ashley was supposed to have gone home this morning. She must have stayed an extra day, since there was herbal tea still stashed on the shelf. She was only here for a few days around twice a month, when her company sent her to conferences and training programs in the city. She hated hotels, and the monthly rent was so cheap here that it was more affordable.

It seemed that Ashley was popping by more often, though, as if it were worth the long drive to have some alone time. I completely got that.

I'd been looking forward to an evening totally by myself, but oh well. I'd likely have the rest of the weekend for that. Brooke, our third roommate, had moved out last week after suddenly switching schools, but apparently her cousin was going to be subletting her room.

Six months ago I would never have believed I'd be living with strangers, but it was worth it to be free of my family.

I rummaged in the fridge, but the leftover chicken and rice I'd been looking forward to for dinner was gone. Then I noticed the empty bowl was on the counter, unwashed.

Sigh.

I popped into my room to change, slipping into threadbare yoga pants and a long, stretched out tank top. I was glad to get out of my bra and work pants. Since it was just us girls, I let my hair down for good measure, and threw on a zip up hoodie.

The coffee finished brewing, and I was just preparing two mugs with plenty of whipped cream when I heard the shower shut off. The bathroom door opened, and I turned with a mug in my hand, expecting to see Ashley in her light pink robe.

Then my mouth fell open with a pitiful, nearly desperate sound.

A tall, beautifully muscular man walked out while drying his hair with a towel.

He was not wearing anything else. Well, unless you counted the water droplets sparkling across his chest.

My eyes gravitated lower, drinking in his perfectly toned, strong body, including—

Oh my.

Dazzling brown eyes met mine as I snapped my gaze back to his face. He’d caught me staring at his…

I swear it twitched and started to thicken.

Chuckling, he lowered the towel to cover his groin. "Most girls usually buy me flowers if they want a peep show, but I'll take that coffee if it's for me."

Somehow my feet moved forward as he approached me. His luscious torso…those sculpted lines over his hips…every other delicious part of his body…it was all still on full display.

A huge tattoo of a hawk took up most of his right arm, and the left one was completely covered in what looked like Celtic scrollwork. I'd never thought about how sexy muscled thighs were, but then, I'd never seen a naked man in person before.

"Thanks," he said, taking the mug from my shaking hand. He sipped it carefully, then licked the whipped cream from his top lip. It was the most seductive gesture I'd ever seen.

"It's nice to meet you, Lila."

"Um, who are you?" I stammered.

"Brooke's cousin." He set the mug on the table, then turned away to wrap the towel low around his hips, drawing more attention to those perfect V-lines. Then he reached out to shake my trembling hand. "Hawk."

Closing my eyes for a second, all I could picture was something long and thick that rhymed with his name.

"Hi. Nice to meet you too."

His hand held mine for much longer than necessary. The way his eyes dragged down my chest, clearly admiring my body, made me tingly inside.

---