Page 21 of Teased By My Roommate

"Sure. If you could please sit right there so I can look at your pretty face from time to time, that will inspire my incredible cooking."

I slipped onto a stool across the counter, and allowed myself to stare at his perfect ass as he moved around the kitchen.

"Oh, hey," Hawk said as he chopped peppers, "Are you free Thursday night?"

"Yes."

"Great. What's your last name? It's for the RSVP."

Before I could say anything, he reached for the kitchen timer, which was on a pile of mail. "Oh. Lila Astor," he murmured, reading the top envelope. "Perfect."

My entire body froze. "What? Why is that perfect?"

He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text.

"Wait," I said, jumping to my feet.

"What?" he asked, setting down the phone and wrapping his arms around me. "It's just an engagement party. My brother and parents are all out of the country so I have to go."

Looking down at his screen, I saw the message had been sent. My blood ran cold and I felt tears filling my eyes. "Who did you just send my name to?" I managed to whisper.

"My mother."

Hawk stepped back and stared at my face in utter confusion as tears began to spill down my cheeks. "Baby, what's wrong? It's just a dumb party that she is RSVPing to, and I'm representing the family and all that crap."

His thumb ran along my cheek to wipe away a tear. "I promise she won't put you on any telemarketing lists, if that's what you're afraid of."

I appreciated his attempt at a joke, but I felt like the rug had just been pulled out from under me.

Even worse, I had definitely heard his own last name in Mom's society circles. If it was an engagement party with family in attendance, there were going to be people she knew there.

I began to tremble as his arms tightened around me.

"Seriously, baby, please tell me what it is. If it's a money thing, I'll buy you a dress, shoes, whatever else you need. Or you don't have to go. I can go alone. I'll put in an appearance, then come home to you and we'll watch a movie."

Hawk pulled out the stool and sat me down so he could reach over to turn the heat off on the stove.

"Do your parents know where you live?" I asked miserably.

"Yes. Well, they know the city. I don't know if they have this exact address."

"The city is all it will take," I said. "Those sorts of people pretend to know each other, always looking for any excuse to make connections. Your mother will call my mother, and tell her where I am."

Looking up, I watched as Hawk's eyes grew huge. "Oh my God." His shoulders dropped. "Have you been hiding from them? Why?"

As I tried to collect my thoughts, his jaw tightened. "If they’ve ever hurt you, tell me now."

Even though I was positively furious at him, that touched my heart.

"Different kind of hurt," I whispered, trying not to sniffle. "Controlling my entire life. Only letting me socialize with people they deemed suitable. Debating who I should marry in a year and a half."

Hawk reached for me, but I stopped him. "Please don't give anyone this address. Or my phone number. It's just a matter of time before they send one of my brothers after me to drag me home."

"Over my dead body," he growled. "Lila, I'm so sorry. Can I—"

I held up my hand. "Please, I just need to be alone."

I disappeared into my room and shut the door, then lay on my bed and listened to him finish dinner.

Staring at the ceiling, my mind raced back and forth. Was it my fault, because I didn't speak up fast enough? Yes. Sure, he should have minded his own business, but then again I didn't tell him the truth about my situation. I should have.

I curled up into a tiny ball under the covers, my sinking sense of dread screaming that it was all my fault. I was furious with myself.

Not only had my new life been ruined, but I was going to have to move away and leave the gorgeous man that I had just fallen for.

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