Page 2 of Tease

“Mamá, you cannot be serious,” Verona said, waving a hand at our mother.

“I’m perfectly serious. I will not lose my children the way we lost your father. Your cousin has been exceedingly generous to offer Arlo’s protection, so don’t you sit there and scoff at it.”

That made Verona instantly look chastised. The mere mention of our father always shut her up. They’d been very close, so losing him was hard on my sister, just as it was for me.

“Now, Arlo’s going to stay with us for a few weeks, so we’ll have to think about sleeping arrangements.”

“He can s-s-stay in my r-r-room and I’ll s-s-sleep with Sofia.”

The words were out of my mouth before I had a chance to stop them. Everyone turned their attention to me. I wanted to fade into the chair and pretend I never said anything. Why the hell had I suggested that?

“You don’t have to give up your room, Rina. I was going to suggest…”

“W-w-where else is he going to stay? We d-don’t have a s-spare room and that s-s-sofa is uncomfortable to s-s-sleep on. I d-d-don’t mind as long as Sofia and A-A-Arlo are okay with it.”

I hated the fact that I couldn’t get my words out without stammering. It got worse around Arlo. He made me nervous, but I wasn’t lying. He should stay in my room. Verona wouldn’t give up hers. And we didn’t have space anywhere else.

“Rina can take the daybed,” Sofia said with a smile. “It’s no big deal.”

Sofia had the attic room, which ourpapáhad converted when we were small. My sister had a heart of gold and was always keeping Verona in line. There was no way she would have said no to my suggestion.

“Well, is that okay with you, Arlo?” my mother asked. “She needs it during the day for her work.”

Arlo was still watching me with a curious expression etched into his features.

“Yes, that shouldn’t be an issue.”

Mamáclapped her hands together.

“Good, that settles it then. Do any of you have any other questions? Otherwise, we’ll go through the rest of the arrangements, and then Rina can show Arlo where he’s staying.”

Verona immediately piped up, but I drowned her out. Arlo was going to be sleeping in my bed.Mybed. How crazy was that? I didn’t know what he’d think, considering it was basically a loft bed. I needed room for my desk underneath it, soPapáhad custom-built the thing for me. There was nothing he couldn’t do with his hands. I had to stop thinking about him. It always upset me and right now, I didn’t need any further anxiety.

“Rina? Do you want to take Arlo upstairs?”

I shook myself, turning my attention back to my mother, who was looking at me expectantly.

“Y-y-yes.”

Climbing out of my armchair, I shuffled over to the door, not waiting to see if Arlo was following me, and went upstairs. His footsteps sounded behind me after a moment, making me wring my hands. I’d never been alone with him. It wasn’t like I’d never been on my own with a guy before. I’d had a boyfriend at university, but that had fizzled out when we left.

Walking into my bedroom, I turned and looked at him as he came through the doorway after me. Arlo’s eyes darted about the place, taking in the walls of white bookshelves and the light-coloured loft bed. My wide desk underneath contained three mounted monitors for my work, along with a gaming chair. It was more comfortable than a regular desk chair.

“I-I-I’ll c-c-change the s-s-sheets for you,” I said in a quiet voice, waving at the bed.

“You don’t have to do that,” he replied, levelling his gaze on me. “Just show me where they are, and I’ll sort it out.”

“I d-d-don’t mind.”

I watched him run his tongue over his bottom lip as his eyes darted down to my fidgeting hands. What I wouldn’t do to feel that tongue on me… in my mouth.

You can’t think that. He’s right there!

As if my cheeks couldn’t get any warmer. This was so embarrassing.

“We could do it together?”

I swallowed and nodded, trying not to take his words in any other way than how he’d meant them. Apparently, my brain didn’t care. All it wanted to think about was “doing it” with him in my bed.

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