Page 34 of The Daredevil

Why was this conversation in my head turning into something deeper than it should be? It was clear it frightened her. As a friend, it was my obligation to offer her security and comfort, right?

“If you care about me and don’t want me to freeze, stay at my place. I have three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom.”

She widened her eyes. “Why do you need three bedrooms if you live by yourself?”

“There’s nothing wrong with having space. I own the entire building, so it makes sense that I have the largest unit for myself. The extra rooms are for when friends and family come to visit.”

Was that relief on her face? Did she think someone lived there with me?

“So what do you say? Let me freeze to death or come stay at my place? It’s not an inconvenience for me. We’re friends, aren’t we? Don’t you trust me?”

I had to reevaluate that last statement. Trusting me as a friend was different from trusting me as a man. I wasn’t going to do anything inappropriate, but I couldn’t promise there wouldn’t be any inappropriate thoughts swirling around in my head knowing she was sleeping in my apartment.

Michelle sighed. “If it’s not a bother, I would love to stay at your place.”

“I wouldn’t have asked if it was a bother.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it. Let me pack some clothes and toiletries, and I’ll head out with you.”

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

MICHELLE

Royce’s apartment was spacious,modern, and warm—something I didn’t expect from him, but loved. I didn’t know why I had expected dark colors, sharp edges, and some disorganization from him. Maybe it was because of the rugged look he’d preferred when we hung out as a group. The ripped jeans, worn T-shirt, and sneakers illustrated him as a simple guy. But Royce was no simple man. There was so much more to him.

The apartment possessed an earthy palette of taupe, gray, ivory, light green, and hints of purple scattered in various decor. He had a wide couch and several standing lamps in abstract shapes and sizes, all warm red or orange.

There was a lot of wood furniture in his apartment. Even some of the art on the wall was made from petrified wood. His dining room table was a slab of rock with thick wooden legs. Simple, strong, yet a focal point in the room.

“You have a beautiful home,” I said, glancing around.

“Thank you. Your bedroom is this way.”He gestured for me to follow him.

Royce carried my bag down a hallway with beautiful wooden floors. Fearing I’d scratch it or leave dirt on the surface, I removed my shoes and placed them against the wall.

“You don’t have to do that. I have a cleaning service that comes once a week.”

“Your floor is so beautiful. I don’t want to track any dirt onto it. Besides, I’m used to it. When I’m at home, I leave my shoes at the door. Keeping the house clean has been drilled into me since I was a kid. Do all the apartments look like yours?”

“No. I had Grayson help me renovate the interiors a while back. He added a fireplace in the living room for me, and the windows in my apartment are the only tall ones.”

“Grayson is exceptionally talented.” I glanced around, admiring the architecture. “Maybe one day I can hire him to design my future home.”

Feeling his stare, I turned to meet his gaze. I couldn’t read his expression, but there was contemplation behind those green eyes that had somehow warmed to a shade I hadn’t seen before.

“He’d do it for you. What are friends for?”

I didn’t know why, but my body picked up on a minor irritation from his tone. Or was I imagining it? Why would he be irritated?

Royce opened the door to a bedroom with eggshell-colored walls and windows draped with beautiful, luxurious curtains. A queen-sized bed with lots and lots of pillows greeted me.

“Oh, the way to my heart.” I picked up a pillow, testing its softness.“I love sinking into a sea of pillows.My favorite.”

He smiled, and his entire face changed from minutes ago. Standing close to me, I could see into the greens of his eyes, which possessed other gorgeous colors I didn’t notice before. Spears of blues and purples burst from his pupils, mesmerizing me. I’d never seen eyes like his. From afar, they looked green, but up close, my god, they were indescribable. People said the eyes were portals into the soul. Right now, I believed that. His eyes reminded me of a storm contained within an extraordinary vessel that held stories I wanted to hear.

What are you holding inside, Royce?

“You have a thing for pillows?” he asked.

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