by Nana Malone
He wasn’t lying. The guy lived in a penthouse. Well, half a Penthouse. He must have come from money or something because there was no way an average student lived like this, even if the place was rent controlled, and even if he had some killer side gig.
Of course, he comes from money. He was friends with the king. No doubt he was some kind of trust-fund kid. “I appreciate it, but I don’t want to be in the way.”
“Why don’t you let me determine if you’re in the way or not? Spend the night. You’ll be able to figure things out in the morning, at the very least.”
I sighed. He had a point. I checked my watch again. It was getting late. I might as well stay here and wait until I could get ahold of Jinx. Her cousin lived in New York, and she might be able to help me out. “Okay, I’ll stay the night. One night.”
He nodded. “Fantastic. I’m so glad I didn’t have to twist your arm on that.”
Bryna
At 7:30, Jinx finally called me back. “Hey, I have a break from class. What’s wrong?”
“It’s a long story, but something happened at my apartment. I can’t stay there. Any chance your cousin might be able to lend me a couch for a few nights?
She cursed under her breath. “For you, almost always, but she just sublet her place to go to Europe.”
Shit. That meant I really was staying with arrogant, pain-in-the-ass Lucas. Fantastic. Just what I needed. “It’s okay. I’ll figure it out.”
“What do you mean, you’ll figure it out? What happened to your apartment?”
“It’s a long story. My roommate’s boyfriend is a total dickhead. I basically can’t go back there. Call me when you’re done with class and we’ll talk about it.”
Jinx was silent for a beat. “Are you okay?”
“Not particularly, but I will be. Call me later.”
“All right. Stay safe and make sure you answer when I call, okay?”
“You got it.” When I finished with her, Lucas was leaning against the sink with a cocky smirk on his lips. “So, did I tell you so, or did I tell you so?”
“This already feels like a mistake.”
He grinned. “It should feel awesome.”
I swallowed hard. He wanted me to say he was right, but I wasn’t going to. “Again, I’m grateful for your hospitality, But it’s only temporary.”
He chuckled low, and the sound made butterfly wings flap against the insides of my belly. “Okay, whatever you need to tell yourself. But, as I’m in charge of keeping you safe and making sure you have fun and all that jazz, let me put it plainly for you. You’re staying here. It’s either that, or I’ll call some friends at Blake Security, and they’ll follow you around everywhere you go. They’d basically hang outside at whatever apartment you get. That could get uncomfortable.”
I scowled at him. “You know, I have a father. He’s older, balding, and has a slight paunch.”
“Thank fuck I’m not him.” He lifted up his T-shirt in a hint of tease and looked down. “If I ever lose this six pack, please, shoot me in the head.”
Jesus Christ. I wanted to lick it. Look away. “Oh my God, you don’t suffer from ego problems at all, do you?”
There it was again. That cheeky grin. “Nope. So, now that we have that settled, come on down here. I’ve got two master bedrooms. Each has its own bathroom.”
I sighed. He was annoying, but he’d just saved my ass. “Seriously, thank you. I appreciate it.”
He nodded. “Sure. Let’s not go around telling anyone that, you know, I’m a secret softie and shit. Besides, this won’t be complicated. You’ve made it clear you barely like me. Though I have no idea why. And you’re not even my type.” Liar. “So we can be roommates.”
I pursed my lips. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. As a matter of fact, I’ll just go ahead and call you a dick. You know, to keep up appearances.”
His crack of laughter filled the cavernous space, ricocheting off the walls in the hallway by the bedroom. “I’m glad I can keep my secret with you. Way to do me a solid. I’d have more women knocking down my door.” Then he continued. “You’re going to be fine. I promise. We’ll get you all settled.”
He led the way to the bedroom and left me to settle in, the scent of him swirling around me.
There went those damn butterflies again. The moment I sat on the bed, trying to get my bearings, something about Lucas lingered, and I could really smell him.
It was a crisp and clean scent, mixed with a little musk, and all Lucas. No way was I going to examine why I knew exactly what he smelled like. Completely divine. This was going to be a lot tougher than it seemed.
10
Bryna
I slept like a baby. It was pretty fantastic. I didn’t know anything about Lucas, or who he was. He was basically stranger to me, but yet somehow, I felt entirely safe in his home, in his bed, which, by the way smelled amazing. Why was that?
News flash, it’s called hormones.
Hormones I didn’t plan on doing anything about.
In the morning, I had a quick shower, tossed on my jeans and a T-shirt, and headed for the door. After class, I was going to track down the kid in Central Park. I knew he played in one of two subway stations, so I hoped it wouldn’t be too hard to locate him.
I stopped when I heard grunting and a low, throaty moan. Something deep in my belly clenched like that moan was a call to my long-buried lady parts in an attempt to raise them from the dead. Oh Jesus, what is going on out there?
I heard another thump and then what sounded like a curse muttered through clenched teeth. More moaning. Groaning.
Holy shit, that wasn’t—he wasn’t… Was he actually doing the do in the common areas? He’d said I was welcome to stay, but what the hell? He wouldn’t, would he?
There was only one way to find out.
I put my hand on the door. I couldn’t help myself. I had to know.
This is your problem. You’re too damn curious for your own good.
Yes, that was a problem of mine, but that was fine because maybe I had it wrong. Maybe…
I twisted the door handle and yanked it. And yes, there was a very sweaty Lucas looking gorgeous and delicious, and wow… No, we are not going to ogle our new temporary roommate.
But he wasn’t naked, much to my disappointment. Instead, he was in a sweaty tank, grappling with the other guy from the wedding, the other friend of the king’s. That guy looked a little older, mid-twenties, maybe a little older.
He had his arm around Lucas’s neck in a head lock, and then Lucas twisted an arm up over his head and got the other guy under the nose. The next thing I knew, the other guy was flat on his back, groaning on the ground. Then I was worried that Lucas may have hurt him. Had Lucas hurt him?
But no, within a second and a half, the other guy jumped to his feet, and the two of them were trading fists. I didn’t know what else to do, so I grabbed the nearest heavy object, a glass vase of some sort, decorative, but nice and heavy. Yes, I knew I shouldn’t have butted in because, hey, for all I knew, Lucas had stolen the guy’s girlfriend or something, and this was payback. Sweaty, gorgeous, hot payback, but still payback, nonetheless. But Lucas had done me a favor, so there was no way I was letting any guy kick his ass.
Although, I had to admit that Lucas was holding his own. Bracing my hands and raising the vase like a baseball bat, I charged into the fray. “Let him go, you asshole.”
Both of their heads whipped around. And quicker than a flash, the bigger, older guy charged right toward me, arm raised. Behind him, Lucas yelled out, “Roone, no.”
Every instinct in my body told me to run, but it was already too late because my body was charging in that direction, and I had a weapon raised. I had no idea how to stop myself. But it seemed that the guy called Roone, knew exactly what to do.
He was coming for me, and there was no way to stop either of us. Even as I squeezed my eyes shut, prepared to deliver some sort of fatal blow, or if not, at least a maiming blow, he easi
ly gripped my wrist with one hand and grabbed the vase out of my grasp with the other. Then he gently turned me around and wrapped an arm around me. In a heavy British accent, he whispered, “Easy does it. Put it down. I don’t know what he promised you, but clubbing him in the head isn’t going to get him to deliver.”
I frowned. “Him? What?” He thought I was going for Lucas? “I wasn’t going to club Lucas in the head. I was going to club you over the head.”
I could feel the guy turning around and chuckling. “You’ve got this one trained well, Lucas.”
“Shut up, you asshat.”
I struggled in his grip. But there was no way I was breaking free. He certainly wasn’t letting me go, so I did the only thing I knew how to do. I raised my foot and stomped my heel hard into his instep. He grunted and released me immediately. I shuffled out of his reach, frantically searching for another weapon.
Lucas put his hands up. “Easy does it Bryna. This is Roone. He’s a friend of mine. He lives across the hall. We’re just getting our work out done.”
I grabbed what looked like a heavy wood of some sort and clasped it in my hands. “I recognize him from the wedding reception. But are you sure he’s a friend? It looked like you were getting your ass kicked.”
Roone placed his hands on his hips and chuckled. “I like her.”
Lucas rolled his eyes. “I was not getting my ass kicked. Besides, you missed it. I just put him on his ass a second ago.”
“Oh, I saw that. But he looked like he was ready to kick your ass again.”
Lucas tossed his hands up. “I can’t win in my own house.”
Roone inched closer with his hand out. “Sorry about that. I thought you were aiming for Lucas.”
I gave him a narrow-eyed gaze. When he smiled, he seemed harmless enough. And, well, he had a British accent, which I know doesn’t preclude anyone being a dangerous asshole, but he was cute too. “So, you’re not hurting him? He didn’t steal your girlfriend or anything, so you were forced to kick his ass?”
Roone laughed hard, the full grin morphing his face into one that was easy going and open. There was something honest about his eyes. “I see you know him well. But no, nothing like that. Just a work out.”
I took a deep breath and glanced over to Lucas who nodded in confirmation.
“Yup, just a work out.” His gaze raked over me. “You look ready to go already. It’s early.”
“Yeah, I was going to grab breakfast and go over my notes about the professor. I’m pretty excited about class.”
Lucas nodded. “Wow, okay. You’re really eager. Do you feel okay about walking to class and stuff? Do you want me to walk you or something?”
I blinked. Was he serious? “No, God no. I’m fine. Besides, you’re in the middle of getting your ass beat, so…” I let my voice trail.
There was that chuckle again from Roone. “That’s all right. I’m done kicking his ass for the day anyway.”
Lucas just grumbled. “You did not kick my ass the last time.”
Roone just shook his head and headed for the front door. “Not according to her. If you’re keeping this one, I’m going to hang out here a lot more often.”
Lucas shut the door firmly behind Roone. “You’re no longer invited.” When he turned to face me, his grin was wide. “A vase? Really?”
“Yes. It looked heavy, and I really did think you were in danger.”
“And instead of running the other way and hiding and calling the police, you ran right toward the danger?”
“Yes, of course. Honestly, he looked like he was going to kill you.”
Lucas just rolled his eyes. “Why do I have the feeling you’re going to be a handful?”
“You know what? You are not the first person to say that.”
“Admit it, you thought I was in here tuning up some girl.” He was close. I took a step back. “You can tell me. Don’t worry; I won’t tell anyone.”
My eyes flared, and I diverted my gaze from him. That’s exactly what I’d thought.
He took another testing step forward. “Please tell me. It will be our little secret.”
Too bad for him, I wasn’t a runner. Instead, I squared my shoulders and tilted my head toward him. “Does it matter?”
He grinned down at me. “Only that you opened the door to see what was going on.” He leaned closer, and I hoped he could smell my perfume.
The thought stupidly made me salivate. Was he wondering if I smelled like that everywhere? Stop it. You know what happens with a guy like this. Guys like Lucas were born to seduce. And he was so damn good at it.
“My God, you really think you are God’s gift to women. I mean, I could see it that night of the wedding, but in the clear light of day… Wow, it’s staggering. Do these lines actually work on anyone?”
His smirk deepened and out popped that delicious dimple. “Well you know. Once or twice.” He leaned closer, his heat wrapping around me and making my mind foggy. “So tell me, Bryna. Are you disappointed or relieved that you were wrong?”
Relieved. “I couldn’t care less either way.”
“You’re not a very good liar Bryna.” He chuckled low. “That’s okay. I’m going to go with relieved then.”
Lucas
Oh, she wanted to act like she wasn’t into me? Fair enough. But I was sure as hell was going to test that theory. I took another step into her space, and she backed up into the counter top. Then I bracketed one arm next to her left hip and watched her closely. Her pupils dilated, her lips parted slightly, and I could almost see the pulse at her neck quicken. Yeah, she felt it too, the pull of attraction. I bracketed my other hand next to her other hip, effectively trapping her. “Are you mad that I saw your ass in the ball gown? Is that what this is about?”
That broke the spell. She was all spitfire and hellcat again. “Oh my God, you are impossible. It was an accident. I clearly wouldn’t have flashed you on purpose.”
“Well, I don’t know that. For all I know, you were literally dropped from heaven to torture me.”
“Oh my God, please stop. You’re just making a fool of yourself.”
“I will have you know that many women find me charming and hilarious.”
“Clearly, they don’t have eyes.”
I chuckled softly and felt, rather than heard, her short intake of breath. That one soft, whispered sound had my blood thickening and my pulse raised.
Feeling her want me was one hell of a turn on. Now there was just something to be done about her attitude. “You can act like you don’t like me all you want. I know you do.”
That just earned me a tilted chin. “I don’t. And while I appreciate you giving me a place to stay, I don’t particularly care for you very much. I’ll be finding my own place soon enough.”
“Yeah, you’re welcome to do that just as long as everyone approves the arrangement.”
Her mouth fell open. “You said you wouldn’t say a word to my parents.”
“Well, as long as you’re doing something safe, I’ll keep my words to myself. The moment you step out of the safety zone, I will call in the big guns.”
Her dark eyes narrowed. “I swear to God, I will make your life hell.”
I grinned down at her, the charge of electricity between us sparking, crackling, singeing my skin. “You’re welcome to try, sweetheart.”
I should have known those words were the equivalent of throwing down the gauntlet because her eyes sparked fire, and she smiled beatifically at me, like the Cheshire cat.
Oh yeah, I was in a hell of a lot of trouble.
Bryna
So, it turned out that living with Lucas was going to be a problem. I wasn’t sure why, but just being in his presence had me all itchy and agitated and made me want to throw things. Okay fine, I was already prone to throwing things on occasion, but with Lucas, everything was just worse. I think it was that smirk he always had on his face. That cocky one, the one that said he knew exactly what I was thinking when I looked at him. Gorgeous, sex
y, confident.
The thing was, guys like Lucas depended on their looks and expected girls to fall at their feet. Well, not this girl. Are you sure about that? You’ve been thinking about him since you left the apartment.
Whatever. From now on, no extraneous thoughts about Lucas. And find a new apartment. It would be fine. I’d just have to petition the school to get my housing funds back, which would mean ratting out Dana. But her boyfriend was dangerous. He could harm someone else. I knew it could take a while to get that money back.
But it was fine because I would be getting a stipend, though miniscule, for my internship. Plus, I had managed to save some money while working for a fundraising organization.
My mother had thought she was so slick volunteering me for her charity functions. Well, the joke was on her. I’d parlayed that into a job, and I had a few thousand dollars saved, so I could make do until I figured things out.
But the money wouldn’t last forever. Transportation back and forth to campus was costing me more money than I’d planned for. I stopped at the ATM, inserted my card, and tapped my foot impatiently while busy students buzzed around me with their back packs on, jabbering on their phones, clutching their Starbucks lattes. I tapped in my PIN number and then waited. A loud beeping alerted me, and I stared at my balance. I’d tried to withdraw $200, but the fucking message said, insufficient funds. That had to be a mistake.
The machine beeped at me again, and I frowned and tapped the monitor. Maybe that would help. The message appeared again. I was sure that I wasn’t seeing correctly, but there it was, insufficient funds.
What the hell?
I took my other card out and tried again. Nope. Insufficient funds. Fuck me. I panicked and tried another card, the one tied to my parents’ account. I typed in my PIN, and then the machine started beeping at me again. Not just insufficient-funds kind of beeping, but loud, honking beeps. I cancelled immediately and yanked out my card.
