Chapter 2

"See something you like?"

That deep, gravelly voice cut through my paralysis. My eyes, traitorous and hungry, couldn't stop tracing the landscape of his tattooed arms. I watched, fascinated, by the way his muscles flexed like coiled snakes with every movement. My admiration didn't end there. Lower down, the sight of his well-toned six-pack abs blew my mind. Is this man even real? The lethal 'V' that tapered from his waist and disappeared into his boxer briefs did frantic, fluttery things to my stomach. Stop right there, Grace. Do not look further down. Something snapped in front of my face, jolting me out of my very vivid, very inappropriate daydream. My eyes snapped up to meet his, and I was immediately mesmerized by the color. A deep, stormy shade of grey held a lifetime of mystery. The moment I noticed his lips, they twitched. That smirk... wait, OH MY GOD. I was caught staring. My immediate reaction was a sharp gasp; my ears began to throb, and I knew my cheeks were turning a violent shade of tomato red. Embarrassing doesn't even cover it.

"Hello? Where do you go?" he asked incredulously, waving a hand. "Do you talk, or are you just...?"

Grace! Get a grip on your thoughts. I scolded myself internally. I couldn't let a stranger get under my skin like this. I will not swoon over this guy. I repeated it like a holy mantra. But I couldn't deny the chemistry. This had never happened to me before. Not even with... him.

"STOP!" Damn, I said that out loud.

He clearly found it amusing. His eyebrows shot up, and that killer smirk returned. "Sweet Cheeks, I haven't even touched you yet. And trust me, if I touch you, 'STOP' is the last thing you'll be saying."

I was speechless, stunned by his sheer arrogance. Who did he think he was? And what the hell was he doing in my apartment, naked? Okay, almost naked.

"Who are you?" I asked, crossing my arms defensively.

"Ms. Williams, I—"

"How do you know my name?" I panicked instantly. It was creepy. I could feel the cold fingers of an anxiety attack reaching for me. "UGH. Who are you?" I demanded, agitated. I needed him out. Now.

"Are you okay?" he frowned, his playfulness vanishing. "You look like you’re going to pass out. I know your name because you are my roommate."

Roommate? ROOMMATE? "Ugh. Sorry. I was expecting a girl, not a naked guy," I admitted, my eyes darting everywhere but at his chest.

"Doll, you should check your vision. I’m wearing PJs. But since your eyes were glued to my skin from the second you walked in, I don't really blame the confusion." He chuckled. My eyes met his, captivating me for a heartbeat before he broke the spell yet again. Why was he giving me nicknames? To irritate me, he let out another low laugh. The guy had serious nerve.

"Stop with the nicknames. You sound like a stripper," I deadpanned. He guffawed at that.

"Why don't you check the rest of the place? No other girl here but you. But feel free to look..." He trailed off, moving toward me with a genuine, predatory smile. The man could walk. I’d never seen someone move so gracefully. Was he a model? He halted inches away, bending down toward me. Oh god. He’s going to kiss me. SHIT. I was pinned between him and the couch. I’d brushed my teeth ten hours ago. Why was I thinking about dental hygiene? I wasn't letting him kiss me. I didn't know him. I looked at his lips—plump, soft, and terrifyingly kissable. I was dead.

Something made me shut my eyes, deciding to just be in the moment. Seconds ago, I wasn't ready. Now? I didn't even know his name, and I was waiting for his mouth to touch mine. I hadn't been kissed in three years. I felt my nerves steady, waiting for the impact. Which never came. URGH!

"Ms. Williams? Still lost?" He asked. I opened my eyes to see him calmly buttoning up a shirt. Wait. Where did the shirt come from?

The doorbell rang. What a day. "Nice to meet you, Ms. UGH Williams." He headed for the door to answer the impatient knocking. "COMING!" he shouted, then glanced back. "Be right back."

I finally moved my lazy limbs, taking a shaky walk through the apartment. Avoiding the room he’d disappeared into, I checked the kitchen and the second bedroom with the attached bath. I returned to the living room, relieved to find it empty. I couldn't handle gawking at him anymore. He got on my nerves in a way I couldn't allow.

"Find any other girls?" I jumped. There he was, dressed in a white button-down, sleeves rolled to show off those buffed muscles, blue jeans hanging low on his hips. "Christ," I muttered. He was a living sin. An attractive, arrogant sin. My throat went dry as he smirked mockingly. "NO!" I said, surprised by my own volume.

He laughed a full, throaty laugh and stepped toward me, pinning me with a gaze. He was making this so hard. I didn't close my eyes this time. He bent low and whispered, "I am all you’re going to have, Eggplant."

WHAT? "NOOO!" I shoved his chest with everything I had. He stumbled back, shocked by my outburst. I didn't know I still had that much strength. This was not happening. "EASY!" he scowled, holding up his hands in surrender.

Easy? Nothing had been easy since that night. Flashbacks of the accident flooded my mind. I hated being cornered. I wouldn't let fear win. I looked up to see those grey eyes searching my face. I needed to move. "Move the hell out of my way," I snarled. He looked around as if I were talking to someone else. "MOVE!"

"Are you bipolar? I definitely didn't read you wrong. Why the hot and cold?"

Before I could snap back... Knock. Knock.

"Yeah, wait a minute," Grey Eyes called out. "Look, I’m heading out. The first thing you'll see tomorrow is me." He gestured to himself.

"Confident, aren't we?" I challenged.

"You don't know me yet." He winked.

"Cocky," I murmured. He grinned as he tied his laces, then walked past me to wash his hands. He came back, cornering me one last time. I fisted my hands, determined not to react.

"Good night," he whispered huskily into my ear. His breath tickled my neck, sending an unknown sensation through me. I moved away too fast—and I fell.

"DAFUQ." I rubbed my elbows. "Who keeps skates in a kitchen?" I scowled at him while he laughed at my misery. Idiot. "OUCH." Pain shot through my arm as I tried to stand. My leg throbbed.

"Here." He offered a hand, suddenly serious.

If I took it, he’d know I was weak. The old Grace was gone. Suddenly, his hand gripped my bicep. My eyes shot to his. It tingled. "DON'T TOUCH ME," I barked.

"Okay." He let go halfway, and I dropped back onto my bum.

"ARGH! You jerk!" I shouted as he walked away. "Can't you see my leg?"

"I KNOW I'M A JERK. Never said otherwise," he laughed, exiting. Relief finally washed over me. "GOOD NIGHT," he called through the window. "And I have better things to check out, Grrrace. Wish I could see that sexy little bum right now."

My mouth fell open. I grabbed something nearby and hurled it at the window. Men are pigs. Period.

Knock. Knock.

Who now? "COME IN!" I shouted, struggling to stand for the fourth time. My leg was screaming. He was a cow—but I was the idiot who refused help.

"Oh my! Sweetie, are you okay?" An older lady ran toward me. Lady to the rescue.

"I'm fine." She helped me up. It felt good to be vertical. "Thanks. Who are you?" My secret roommate, I hoped?

"I'm the neighbor, Mrs. Jones," she chirped happily. Before I could stop her, she crushed me in a bear hug.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Grace." I untangled myself.

"You're so pretty. Are you his girlfriend?"

"WHAT? No, I'm his roommate."

"Awww. You'd make a lovely couple. He's such a handsome boy."

Hopeless romantic. "I heard a noise and came to check on him," she added.

Mr. Charmer, of course. "Goodnight, Grace."

"Night, Mrs. Jones." I locked the door and grabbed my bags.

Two rooms. I entered the first and saw his life dumped on the bed—T-shirts, jeans, and... underwear. My face heated up. The walls were covered in models; the table held stacks of magazines and X-rated CDs. I stumbled out as fast as possible.

In the second room, I spent two hours organizing. Books, laptop, medicines, and tampons went into my drawers. Finally: a shower. "Wait—double doors?" I realized it was a common bathroom. I sighed. At least it was clean. I moved his things to the left, mine to the right.

After my shower, I made a veggie sandwich. The fridge was well-stocked—thanks to the hunk, I assumed. We’d have to discuss money tomorrow. Rules were needed.

Thinking of him, I realized I’d overreacted. His touch hadn't been repulsive; it had been warm. Those missed kisses had set me on edge. Where was he now? Probably with some blonde. Did he even have a type? With looks like that, he probably just took whoever was closest.

"Let me have you, Grace."

"Please. Don't. NOOO!" A scream tore from my throat as I woke up panting. Not again. I forgot my meds. 2:00 AM. Another sleepless night. I was alone; my roommate was either silent or still out. I popped my pills and headed to the living room. Sleep was gone.