Chapter 19
The grocery store aisle tilts sideways as my feet leave the floor. For a split second, I’m weightless, suspended mid-air. Fear spikes through me and I flail, grasping for something stable to grip onto, knocking boxes of cereal to the floor.
“Hey!” a familiar voice laughs behind me. “Chill out, it’s just me.”
I crane my neck around to see Killian grinning up at me, his muscly arm wrapped around my waist, holding me aloft like I weigh nothing.
“Killian!” I gasp, swatting his shoulder. “Put me down, you oaf.”
He chuckles but complies, setting me gently on my feet.
I straighten my shirt and turn to face him, hands on my hips, trying to ignore the humming sensation everywhere he just touched me.
“What’s the big idea, grabbing me like that? You scared the crap out of me.”
Killian rubs the back of his neck, looking sheepish. “Sorry, I was just messing around. Wanted to see if I could lift you. What do you run, like 170 or so?”
I roll my eyes, but can’t help the little thrill that courses through me. His casual display of strength makes my pulse quicken. I bite my lip, imagining what those powerful arms could do...
Shaking the thought away, I punch his shoulder again, lightly. “That’s a rude question to ask a girl. But 180, for your information. And next time, give a girl some warning, yeah?”
He grins. “Duly noted.”
I bend to gather the fallen boxes, hyper aware of his eyes on me. As annoying as that was, I can’t deny it—I like knowing I have Killian’s attention.
I stack the cereal boxes back on the shelf, trying to ignore the fluttering in my stomach as Killian watches me intently.
“So...” he says, leaning against the shelves casually. “You’ve been avoiding me since we became roommates.”
I stiffen, keeping my gaze fixed on restocking. “No, I haven’t.”
“Yes, you have.” He steps closer. “Every time I enter a room, you leave. You never sit near me at dinner. And just now you tensed up when I touched you.”
I turn to face him, indignant. “That’s because you grabbed me without warning and lifted me into the air!”
“Maybe,” he concedes. “But I think it’s more than that.” His eyes burn into mine. “I make you nervous, don’t I?”
My breath catches at his proximity, his musky scent enveloping me. I force nonchalance. “You don’t make me nervous.” I’m such a liar. My heart is racing, my knees are weak and my palms are sweating profusely, just from being in his presence.
He smiles slowly. “Yes, I do. And you know it.”
Suddenly, he presses me back against the shelves, caging me in with his arms. My heart pounds wildly as he leans in close, our faces inches apart.
“But that’s okay,” he murmurs. “Because I’m going to spend every day breaking down those walls of yours, Dylan.” His fingers trail down my arm and I shiver. “Before long, you’ll be like putty in my hands.”
My lips part, shock and desire warring within me.
Just as quickly, he smirks and pulls back, sauntering away.
“See you at home, roomie,” he calls over his shoulder.
I slump back against the shelves, my pulse racing.
Oh boy. I’m in trouble.
I take a deep breath to steady myself as I watch him walk away, his taut ass bouncing pleasantly in time with his long strides. My skin still tingles where he touched me.
I can’t deny there’s an intense magnetic attraction between us. And, living together, it seems impossible to resist. That close proximity, and the intimacy of sharing a space even though we sleep in separate rooms. So many chances for accidental nudity.. we’ve already had a nip slip incident, for goodness’ sake. The situation just seems ripe with opportunity and risk.
As I continue my shopping, I can’t stop picturing Killian shirtless after a workout, his muscles rippling. Or emerging from the shower with just a towel wrapped around his waist. If only I could make that towel fall down. If only I could be that towel.
A flush creeps up my neck at the thought. Get it together, Dylan.
But my mind keeps wandering to all the tantalizing possibilities of having a roommate who looks like Killian. Lazy weekend mornings lounging in bed together. Steamy showers where we “conserve water.” Curling up on the couch, his strong arms wrapped around me.
I bite my lip, desire simmering within me. Maybe this arrangement is just what I need.
As I head to the checkout, I make a decision. No more running away from Killian. It’s time to stop fighting this magnetic pull between us.
I’m going to embrace every moment of having this gorgeous man as a roommate. And let him break through these walls I’ve built.
One searing kiss at a time.