Page 5 of Teased By My Roommate

LILA

Saturday mornings used to be torture. Brunch, manicure, hair stylist, shopping, and preparing for whatever ridiculous social event Mom had me booked for that evening.

Apparently a young lady of my status was supposed to be seen at events so that she would stay top of mind when suitors were looking for brides, and when the glitterati were deciding who to invite to the next round of parties. I was also forced to spend time with a group of girls my own age that my parents decided were suitable friends.

I hated it.

Rolling out of bed at nine and indulging in twenty minutes of yoga today was sheer bliss. I had nothing on the agenda other than clean the apartment, read, and enjoy my freedom.

Now that the basics were taken care of – food, shelter, job – nothing else really mattered. Well, almost nothing. As I folded into downward dog, I thought of my incredibly sexy, strangely forthright new roommate.

He was wildly outgoing, in a way that felt right for me. In the past, I’d been dragged out of my comfort zone by my parents every single day. This was more like a gentle push. It felt a lot healthier.

Normally I would have lounged around the apartment in my pajamas, but I wanted Hawk to see me at my best for at least our first weekend together. That is, if he even spent time here. For all I knew, I might hardly ever see him.

Pulling on black leggings and a simple blue dress that was flattering but also incredibly comfortable, I put the front of my tousled hair up in a clip and opened my bedroom door.

I smelled coffee, and something sweet cooking. When I reached the kitchen I stopped in my tracks. Hawk was standing in front of the stove wearing nothing but brown board shorts.

From the back, he looked like a surfer, muscular and tan. It was wild what the sight of his body did to me. Flutters were zipping through my stomach, over my breasts, between my thighs. My mouth became dry, and my breathing became shallow.

Total, overwhelming, intoxicating lust. I'd never experienced the sensation before. It was much stronger than I imagined.

"Hey there, sleepyhead," Hawk said, spinning to flash me a wide grin that revealed perfect teeth. He came over to take me by the shoulders and direct me to a kitchen chair. "Park that sweet little ass right here."

In seconds I had coffee and banana chocolate pancakes in front of me.

"I figured the new man of the house should prove his worth," he said with a chuckle. "Don't worry – I'll get the next round of groceries."

"Wow, thank you."

He sat down beside me instead of across from me. Was that so that his thigh could brush mine as we ate?

Everything about him was so direct. He didn't play games. There was no map of appropriate talking points like my mother always made me memorize before any social event. Hawk just spoke whatever was on his mind with no filter. I admired that.

"These are delicious," I said, trying to slow down so that I didn't gobble my breakfast in front of him.

"Thanks. I'm not the greatest cook, but these usually turn out pretty well." His phone beeped, and he looked at it with a frown.

"Something wrong?"

He shrugged. "Just short staffed at work today. But we'll get through." Hawk turned and flashed that incredible grin again. "So what do you do for a living? Model? Game show hostess? No…weather girl. That must be it."

My hand hovered in front of my mouth to hide the possible pancake crumbs in my teeth while I laughed. After a second, I managed to say, "I'm the receptionist at a small physiotherapy office. They specialize in patients who’ve just had hip and knee replacements."

Those striking brown eyes grew wide, then he grabbed the phone and called someone. "Hey, Lars – crisis averted. I've got a receptionist for the day. We'll be there at ten."

As soon as he ended the call, I sputtered, "What are you talking about?"

"Hey, you can't leave your new roommate high and dry, right? Did you have any important plans today that you can't cancel?"

I shook my head. "No."

He looked me up and down again. "You're already dressed perfectly. Trust me on this one."

I honestly did.

Twenty minutes later, Hawk's arm was tightly around me as we walked into Briar Street Tattoo Shop.

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