Chapter 8
“So yeah, guys,” I say, glancing between Noah, and Jayden who is sprawled on the couch. “The housing office wasn’t really much help at all. Couldn’t give me an estimate of when I’d be able to move out. So it looks like I’m your new roommate for the foreseeable future. Surprise?”
Jayden grins, eyes glinting with mischief. “Did we just win the lottery, or is this the universe playing a cruel joke?”
Noah stretches, his muscles rippling beneath his t-shirt. “Guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
I fight back a shiver, forcing nonchalance. I’m used to commanding a field, but this is new territory. Still, I won’t let them see me sweat.
“Well, go easy on me at first. I promise not to leave my dirty socks everywhere...yet.”
Jayden chuckles. “No promises. We might just have to haze you a little, newbie.”
I cock an eyebrow. “Careful. I don’t haze easily.”
The banter comes naturally, like a scrimmage warming up for the real game. There’s an undercurrent here, a subtle push and pull.
I don’t know the rules yet, but I’m no stranger to strategy. And I don’t give up at the first sign of trouble.
Game on, boys.
The playful back-and-forth is interrupted by the sound of the balcony door sliding open. I turn, a quip on my lips, but the words die unspoken.
The door opens with a slight squeak, and I’m face-to-face with a mountain of a man. His muscular frame fills the doorway, wild dark hair with blonde highlights falling to his shoulders. He looks like he just stepped off the cover of a steamy romance novel.
My breath catches in my chest as my heart begins to race. God, one look at this man and he’s got me feeling woozy.
“Dylan, meet our other roommate, Killian,” Noah says. “Killian, this is our new roommate, Dylan.”
Killian’s piercing blue eyes rake over me. “Wow, this is the smoking hot roommate you were talking about?”
I almost faint as I notice his Irish accent.
Jayden grins. “She’s pretty fucking cute.”
I cross my arms. “I’m standing right here. And I’m not just some piece of groupie meat.”
Killian smirks. “We’ve heard. You’re a hooker.”
My jaw drops. What an asshole. I narrow my eyes, heat rising to my cheeks. He might be gorgeous, but he’s already getting on my last nerve. “Excuse me? No one would ever talk that way to a male athlete.”
“Relax, newbie. I’m just messing with you,” he says with a chuckle.
I’m fuming. I know I should be used to this crap, but it still grinds my gears. Of course a man who looks like a Greek god would have a glaring flaw—misogynistic tendencies.
But I’m not going to let some cocky jerk rattle me. I came here to prove myself on the field, not take shit from arrogant men.
I lift my chin and stare him down. “Don’t underestimate me. I might surprise you.”
“Well, that’s fine with me. I love surprises.” He winks, and the teasing sparkle in his eye only serves to infuriate me.
The way he tilts his head causes the overhead light to glint off his chiseled jaw, leaving him looking more than perfect. I bet he practices his angles in the mirror, the handsome son of a bitch.
My mouth goes dry. Come on, get it together! I force a relaxed smile, hoping he doesn’t notice the hitch in my breath.
“So you really are the famous new roommate?” His gaze sweeps over me, and damn if that smirk doesn’t make my knees weak. “I didn’t know whether to believe the boys when they said a hot chick was moving in. I was thinking they were pulling a prank on me, and you were going to be some dude with a broken nose and half his teeth missing.”
I lift my chin, my cheeks flushing at the way the other guys have clearly described me to this god. “Well, here I am, in the flesh.” I gesture down at myself breezily, like I’m not hyperaware of his eyes tracing my body. “Not a myth, just a girl standing in front of her roommates...” I bite my lip, holding back a grin. “Asking them not to make it weird.”
Killian laughs, a rich sound that does nothing to calm my racing pulse. “No promises there.” He leans against the doorframe, all casual grace and barely leashed power. “But we’ll try to behave.”
His smile promises the opposite. I don’t know if I’m ready for whatever game he wants to play.
I take a deep breath to steady myself as Killian saunters into the kitchen. Noah trails behind, and Jayden pushes himself up off the couch to join us. It’s our first time all together in one room. I’m not sure what I expected, but the undercurrent of electricity sparking between us takes me by surprise.
Noah catches my eye, offering an easy grin. “Welcome to the madhouse, Dylan. Make yourself at home.”
I smile back gratefully. At least someone is trying to be somewhat normal here.
Jayden rummages through the fridge, emerging with a diet soda. He pops the tab, his eyes glinting mischievously. “Yeah, mi casa es su casa. Within reason.” He waggles his eyebrows. “Clothes mandatory in shared spaces.”
I laugh, hoping it sounds more nonchalant than I feel. “Duly noted. I’ll keep the streaking to a minimum.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Killian’s gaze drop appreciatively down my body. “That’s a shame,” he says, his voice like velvet. “I was looking forward to the free show.”
Heat floods my cheeks. I resist the urge to fan myself. Get it together, Dylan.
I straighten and meet his eyes, arching an eyebrow. “Careful what you wish for.”
His lips curve. “I can handle anything you want to show me, sweetheart.”
Oh boy. These three are going to be trouble, I can tell. I clear my throat, trying desperately to steer this runaway train back to solid ground.
“So!” My voice comes out too loud. I wince. “What’s the plan for dinner? How do meals work around here? I was picturing lots of salads and brown rice, but based on the contents of the fridge and the coffee table,” I point at the mess in the living room, “it looks like you’ve expanded your culinary horizons more than the typical professional athlete.”
Noah claps his hands together. “I’m thinking takeout. Burgers sound good?”
There’s a general murmur of assent.
In less than thirty minutes, we’re gathered around the dining room table with a spread of greasy fast food bags between us. I snag a fry, savoring the comfort of carbs.
“To new roommates.” I lift my soda in a toast. “May we not kill each other.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Noah chuckles.
We clink our cans together. As we settle in to eat, things feel almost normal. But there’s an undercurrent I can’t ignore, especially when I catch Killian watching me, heat in his eyes.
This could get complicated. I just hope I’m ready for the ride.
I try to focus on my burger, but my eyes keep darting to Killian. He’s unfairly attractive, all sharp angles and hard muscle. It doesn’t help that his t-shirt clings to his sculpted chest.
I force myself to stare at my food.
“So, Dylan,” Jayden says after swallowing a bite of his burger. “How are you feeling about moving in with a bunch of dudes you barely know?”
I toy with a fry, considering how to answer. “It’s fine. I needed a change of scenery. And you guys had a room.” I shrug. “Seems like fate.”
“We’re happy to have you.” Noah smiles warmly. “Even if the circumstances are a bit unconventional.”
“To say the least.” I huff a laugh.
“Nothing wrong with unconventional.” Killian’s gaze bores into me. “Makes life more interesting.”
I shiver, his intensity hitting me like a shockwave. Get a grip, Dylan.
I shovel more food in my mouth so I don’t have to respond.
“You’ll have to let us know if we start getting on your nerves.” Jayden bumps my shoulder playfully. “We can be a lot to handle.”
“I think I can take whatever you guys dish out.” I toss my hair back.
Killian’s eyes darken. “Careful, or I might take that as a challenge.”
The way he looks at me...like he wants to devour me...it makes my pulse skitter.
I drain my soda, needing a distraction.
This attraction is dangerous. I know where it could lead. But maybe a little danger is exactly what I need.
“I’m sure you have a ton of stuff to organize, and your cat misses you,” says Noah. He gestures at the plates on the table. “Let us take care of this. Consider it a welcome present.”
I smile and nod, grateful for the opportunity to exit and start sorting out my stuff. And he’s right. Poor little Jonah has been in our room all day and I’m sure he’s itching for company and the opportunity to explore.
I close the door to my new bedroom, leaning against it as I let out a breath. What a day. Moving in with three hot guys I barely know. Not at all how I saw this going.
I fan myself, still feeling a bit flushed from dinner. Especially with Killian eyeing me like I was a juicy steak.
Get it together, Dylan. Ogling the roommate is asking for trouble.
The truth is, the mere sight of Killian is making me wet. And that’s being fueled by his banter… as much as his words irk me, I’m eating up the tension they’re creating between my thighs.
With a groan, I peel off my clothes and change into shorts and a tank top. The cool air feels good on my overheated skin.
I reach out and scratch Jonah’s head and he nuzzles his ear into my hand, right where he most likes to be scratched.
I pull out my phone and text Kat.
Dylan:
So I just met the hot third roommate.
Jonah hops up on the bed next to me and snuggles into my side while I wait for their reply.
Kat:
Spill! Is he as gorgeous up close as you imagined? Of course I’ve been stalking his social media ever since you mentioned him, but I don’t think he keeps things up to date.
Kat:
I need all the details!
Dylan:
Well, he’s certainly nice to look at. But his personality could use some work.
Kat:
Uh oh. What happened?
Dylan:
He called me a hooker within the first two minutes of meeting me. It’s like the running joke of the apartment and I’m so over it.
Kat:
Yikes. What a jackass. But, to be fair, it is your rugby position.
Dylan:
I know, right? He’s got that cocky jock vibe in the worst way. And I know it’s my position, but that’s not what he meant.
Kat:
So much for my fantasies of a dreamy sports romance.
Dylan:
Yeah, he’s no Prince Charming, that’s for sure. More like the villain who tries to sabotage the heroine.
Kat:
Or the misunderstood bad boy who needs the love of a good woman to redeem him.
Dylan:
Wow, we clearly read too many books. But this is real life. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. As of now, he’s just an obnoxious god. Emphasis on the obnoxious.
Kat:
Well, don’t write him off just yet. Maybe he was nervous and trying to be funny.
Dylan:
If insulting women is his idea of a joke, I’m not laughing. Besides, you’re the one who warned me to look out for him.
Kat:
Give him a chance, but keep your mind safe and your heart even safer.
I sigh as I put my phone away. Something tells me living with Killian is going to be an adventure, whether I like it or not. But I refuse to let some egotistical jock intimidate me. Next time he tries to get close, I’ll be ready and waiting.
Flopping onto the bed, I stare at the ceiling. Killian is temptation incarnate with those piercing eyes and muscular frame. And that accent...swoon.
Focus! I give myself a little shake.
But Jayden’s boyish charm is adorable. And Noah seems so genuine and kind. Plus, have you seen those arms? All of them have arms that could pick me up and do deliciously wicked things…
“Get your head in the game, Dylan,” I mutter. “You’re here to play rugby. Not drool over your roommates.”
Even if said roommates are crazy hot. And living one or two thin walls away.
I groan again, rolling over and smooshing my face into the pillow. This arrangement is going to test my willpower big time. But I’m not about to jeopardize my spot on the team over some eye candy.
No matter how sweet the view is.