Page 3 of Teased By My Roommate

HAWK

So much for swearing off relationships forever.

There was no doubt in my mind that Lila was my dream girl. I’d sketched women's faces quite a bit back in art school, and later when I became a tattoo artist, and my default ideal female face was very similar to Lila's.

Brooke had warned me that Ashley was fairly quiet and Lila was quite shy. She had made me promise not to be annoying.

In my eyes, this was Lila's space, and I wanted to keep it that way and find a way to fit into her world. But that meant I would have to get to know her very quickly.

From the way she stared at my body, I knew she was at least interested physically. I'd use that to full advantage. That is, if I could stop dreaming about her midnight blue eyes long enough to think straight.

I threw on a pair of dark blue sweatpants and a black tank top so that I matched her Friday night loungewear vibe. I went back to the living room with a blanket in my hand. "Your space is already decorated, and I like it. But I've kept this blanket on the couch every place I've ever lived. Do you mind?"

I tossed it along the back of the couch between us as I sat down. "It's lovely," Lila said, running her fingers along the yarn. "Why not?"

"Apparently my great aunt crocheted it," I said with a shrug. "I just think it's a really nice blue."

"This is your space, too. Feel free to add your own touches," she said sweetly.

The only thing I wanted to touch was her hand as it dragged along the blanket. Somehow I was going to have to find a way to control myself until I knew how she felt.

Her phone rang with the food delivery, so I grabbed my wallet and ran to meet the guy halfway down the stairs.

I could see why this place was so cheap. It was a small, old warehouse divided up into several apartments. Although there was plenty of space, there was no elevator, and it was bound to be freezing come winter.

By the time I got back, Lila was arranging plates and cutlery on the coffee table in the living room area. "Did you want to watch a movie while we eat?" she asked.

I tried to think of the best way to get her talking freely. "I can't focus on a movie when there's this much amazing food," I said, placing containers on the table. "But they just put some remake of old quiz shows online. Do you want to play?"

"Sure." There was something in her tone that made me curious.

Halfway through the show, I figured out why. Lila was fiercely competitive, with a depth and breadth of knowledge that impressed the hell out of me.

Pausing the show, I turned to her. "Okay, genius. I'm fine getting my ass handed to me by a little pipsqueak of a girl, I just need to know how. Are you one of those child prodigy brainiacs or something?"

Her laugh was delightful. "I was one of those kids who had a book permanently blocking my face. Then I went to university early, and did two years of general arts. It covers a wide variety of topics, I guess."

I couldn't stop my eyes from wandering along her luscious cleavage. "I bet the university guys went wild for you," I muttered.

A soft blush crept across those perfect cheekbones. "It was an all-girls’ school," she whispered.

"Damn. They still have those?"

She nodded, those big eyes suddenly drenched in sorrow. "If you have super strict parents, that's your only option." Her frown made my heart ache for her.

"I know a bit about overprotective, pushy parents." Taking her hand, I kissed the back of it gently. "There's a man of the house here to protect you now, Lila. I've got your back, okay?"

She smirked. "You've been here less than eight hours. You can't just declare yourself the man of the house."

"Oh yeah? How old are you?"

That blush was so damn sexy. "Twenty."

"Well, I'm thirty-seven. So, therefore, I'm in charge."

She pulled her hand back and lightly smacked my arm. "You're not the boss of me, mister." Her eye roll and hair toss were adorably childish, but the look in those breathtaking eyes was extremely adult. I loved that she couldn't stop checking me out.

Strict parents and an all-girls’ school? This sweet little angel might not have had much of an opportunity to date or be with men at all.

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