Chapter Three
Liz
A soft groan escapes my lips as my eyelids flutter, before finally opening. My vision is hazy as I catch sight of the spinning fan hanging on the ceiling.
Where am I?
My mind immediately darts to the events of last night and I recall my hosts, Scott, his younger brother, Callum, and the brooding Lucas. I begin to smile. The two men had been wonderful hosts, especially Callum with his funny words and cheerful spirit. Indistinctively, I find myself on the verge of bursting out laughing as I remember one of Callum's jokes.
However, my smile slowly vanishes as I recall the events that led to this moment. A wave of sadness washes over me as the realization that I'm still homeless kicks in.
I stretch and yawn before getting my feet on the lush rug at the base of the bed. This might be a lot more difficult than I thought, but I have to try and get through it because at this point, I really don’t have a choice.
After talking a bit last night, Scott had declared it time to let me rest, and he brought me to the spare room they'd talked about. Callum helped me make the bed and offered one of his duvets along with some soap and clean towels. He was so nice. It gave me butterflies.
Scott had been more reserved with me. Polite, but caring. He asked me to call either him or Callum if I ran into any problems. He’d also said that I could lock the door if that would make me feel safer.
It’s funny how they were so different despite looking so similar. When I first stepped into the apartment, I’d thought Scott had a twin because of how much Callum looked like him. It twisted my brain for a second that they looked like the same person, just in different stages of life.
They were both really tall; maybe six foot four, and they both had blue eyes and brown hair along with almost identical faces. Their skin was even the same shade of tan. The difference is that, where Scott has his hair in a crewcut, Callum wears his long. His thick, luscious hair falls to the base of his neck and frames his face when it’s down.
Scott’s eyes are also a different kind of blue… intense and icy. Callum’s eyes are a dreamy blue that makes you feel like you’re floating on clouds. Their builds are different too. Scott is bulkier, his muscles huge and full like he lifts heavy. Callum is muscular as well, but he’s leaner, like a runner.
They’re both over around ten years older than me, I’m sure, but they’re so hot. I did my best to act normal yesterday, but with Callum’s friendliness and Scott’s care, I felt my body reacting to them.
Stop it, Liz. You don’t even know if they’re single.
I can’t be drooling over these men like that. They were just being nice and most likely didn’t see me that way at all.
One of them wasn’t nice.
I remember the other guy I’d seen… Lucas. He’d barely even acknowledged my presence last night. He was rather mysterious, and I didn’t think he took well to strangers. I mean he didn't seem to be cool with my arrival, anyhow.
Despite all the bad energy he gives off though, he’s so hot too. He's not as tan as the two brothers, but he's just as muscular. He has light blond hair, and the greenest green eyes I’ve ever seen.
Off the streets and surrounded by hot men…my luck really took a turn for the better.
I sigh and rub my hands over my eyes as I stand and take another look at the room. It's so cozy. I like it a lot. Callum said if I decide to rent it, I could decorate it how I want. However, I decided to stand on my own two feet this time. As much as I like the room, I can’t stay here.
I strip and step into the bathroom to shower and start my day. While the water washes over my body, I think about the incident with Liam. That jerk really ran in the face of danger and left me all to myself. He made me believe he was a good guy and I let my guard down with him. His ex is definitely better off without that coward.
I almost burst out laughing when I think about how silly Liam would actually feel if he found out that he was sent running like a scared kitten from a boy, a kid with a plastic gun. It's funny now. However, it wasn't when I thought that he was an actual mugger.
I’m glad Scott helped me out, but I can’t start relying on him too much. That’s why I won’t be taking the room…but I will take the apartment next door. I still get to be close to the hot men, while still being independent.
Hopping out of the shower, I toss on one of my favorite pairs of ripped jeans with a thick jacket to help shield me against the cold. I had considered wearing a crop top, but that would have been a bad idea considering the weather.
Once bitten twice shy.
I catch myself looking a little too long at my reflection in the mirror and smack my forehead. I want to deny it, but I find myself wanting to look good to them.
Stop it!
Chastising myself, I march away from the mirror and leave the room.
The smell of eggs and bacon fills my nostrils the moment I step out the door, and I shut my eyes in bliss as my stomach rumbles to life, suddenly hungry.
I trace the smell to the kitchen and smile subtly when I see Scott, all dressed up in his uniform, flipping eggs on a pan. I stare at him for a moment, almost drooling, and not for the food. Who knew police blue looked good behind a stove?
Scott turns in my direction, and I immediately get a hold of myself.
“Hey!” He smiles softly.
“Hi,” I reply and step into the kitchen. “Good morning, Scott.”
“Morning, Liz,” he says. “Did you sleep well last night?”
Honestly, I wasn’t sure that I would, but I did.
“Yes,” I smile. “Yes, I actually did.”
“Well, that's good to know.” He turns off the griddle. “Breakfast? I make some mean eggs. Want some?”
I can't resist the aroma, and I can’t resist him. Wait, that doesn't sound right…
I nod and he pushes the tines of his fork into the egg. I stare at him as he offers to feed me, and after a moment of hesitation, I lean forward and he gently puts the forkful of egg in my mouth.
I shut my eyes again, lost in the deliciousness of the eggs as I munch on them slowly.
“And?” he asks, anticipating my response.
“This is good,” I say and swallow. “It's really good.”
“Thank you,” he replies with a smile.
“I've never had eggs this good,” I tease as he puts another forkful into my mouth.
“Come on, don't flatter me.”
“I'm not,” I say and we both chuckle. “This is really good.”
He smiles at me and my heart feels a bit warmer. I look into his ice-blue eyes and try so hard not to blush.
The man is gorgeous.
“So…” he says, disrupting what was a potentially awkward moment. “Have you decided yet?”
“On what?” I ask, suddenly going blank.
My brain abandoned me for a second, but luckily I am quick to remember.
“Oh…yeah, um…” I say, clearing my throat. “I've decided to check out the apartment you talked about…the one next door.”
“Oh, awesome,” he says. “Let's finish our breakfast, and we can go together— if, of course, that's okay with you,” he suggests. “I could also just tell you where to go and let you handle it yourself if you would prefer that?”
I smile at how much he is trying not to overstep.
“It's fine,” I say to him. “We can go together. Besides, you live here, I don't.”
“All right then.”
He slides over my plate and also some toast and freshly made coffee.
“Oh, and where’s Callum…and your neighbor slash friend Lucas?” I ask as we dig into our breakfast.
He sips his coffee. “Oh, they're at the gym downstairs.”
“Downstairs? In the building?” I point a finger at the floor.
He chuckles. “Yes. The apartment does have a gym.”
“Nice.” Wow, I really lucked out. Seems to be a pretty good building.
I can feel his stare, however subtle, while we eat… but I'm not entirely sure that he can feel mine. I hope he doesn't.
It turns out I have a weakness for hot men who know their way around a kitchen. The food is so good that I'm tempted to tell him to quit the force and start up a restaurant or something. It should be illegal to look that good and also cook.
He doesn't bring up any more topics to talk about, and a part of me wishes he would. He doesn’t seem like the chatty type. Just says what is necessary and polite.
I eat quickly so that he isn’t waiting on me, and he takes my plate when I’m done to wash it off.
“Such a gentleman,” I tease and he laughs lightly. “I enjoyed the meal. Thank you.”
“I'm glad you did,” he replies. “Come on. Let's go check out the apartment next door. I’ll get the building manager.”
We step out and he goes downstairs to get them while I wait at the door of his apartment.
Scott returns a few minutes later with a key.
When I raise my eyebrows he explains, “The building manager trusts me… and he doesn’t like coming all the way up here.”
He takes me to the apartment and opens the door.
We go inside and I take my time to survey the place. It's nice, but it's a tiny place, with a cramped bathroom and a barely-there kitchen. It would have been better as a studio.
“How much?” I ask, turning to look at him.
“A hundred dollars a week,” he replies, pressing his lips together.
I ponder for a bit. The price is definitely within my budget. I can afford it easily for two months if I struggle to find a job. Besides, I was able to snatch roughly five thousand dollars before leaving the house. Dad is going to be pissed but the deed is done. The apartment needs a bit of work before it can be made ready to house me, but that shouldn't be a problem.
“I can work with that,” I say to him.
“Are you sure?” he asks. “It's a little small isn't it?”
“It is,” I reply. “But I'll take it.”
I'm going to have to get myself a few things to start up with and envision the stuff that I need and where I'm going to position them in the room. I paint a vivid picture of the place in my head and it's not so bad.
All I have to do is that if I get a job, I'll be fine. Although I know getting a job isn't as easy as it seems. It's not just wishful thinking.
“Can I get his number?” I ask. “The guy renting out the studio, I mean.”
“Oh, I don't know about that,” he says, “When I got our place, it was through the landlord directly. This apartment was sold already. Now the guy who bought your apartment wants to rent.”
“So, you rented yours from the original landlord?” I ask, a bit confused.
“No, I bought mine from him,” he explains.
“Oh, I see.”
“Yeah. The guy who bought it uses an agent. According to the building manager, you most likely won’t get to speak to him directly either. I can’t assure you of anything if it’s like that.” There’s concern etched on his face as he speaks.
He’s taking care of me again.
“It's okay, Scott.” I smile at him. His compassion is sweet. “You've done enough already.”
He is hesitant for a second but finally gives in.
“Okay, fine,” he says. “You can stay at our place while you sort yourself out and get ready to move in next door.”
I like how he offers without making me have to ask for that opportunity.
“Thank you. You really have done enough.” I smile.
“Nah…it's nothing,” he says modestly.
I sigh. “I need to get myself a job, though.”
He looks at me and says, “Well, if you need me to help look out for what's available, I can do that.” He glances at his wristwatch. “Oh, shit. I'm running late already. I need to report to the precinct now. Also, I have to check on that kid from last night and find out what's up.”
A little disappointed, but I nod. “Oh…okay.”
“Will you be all right?” he asks and I nod.
“Yes. Yes, I will.”
“Okay…” he takes slow steps backward. “I gotta run now. I'll see you later?”
“Of course.” I nod again as he locks the door and leaves.
………………
After Scott left, I changed my clothes, deciding to work out, since he had mentioned the gym. I stop and check out the information about the building amenities at the front desk.
It turns out the place doesn't just have a gym; it's also got a pool and other cool stuff, all of which I'd like to try. I'm the newest resident so I might as well take my time to get familiar with everything.
I locate the gym relatively easily. I hang my towel around my neck as I walk into the well-equipped space.
I freeze in my tracks when I spot Lucas using the salmon ladder. His muscles are moving to the rhythm of his body movements. He's all sweaty and I feel my heart skip for a moment.
He gets to the top almost too easily and then drops off the metal bar to grab his bottle of water. I watch him open the bottle and gulp the contents down, his throat bobbing sexily. His muscles are all pumped up and sweat adds a seductive glow to his skin.
Lucas sets the bottle aside and starts to stretch, making me swallow nervously. My eyes follow the movements of his body and I shudder as goosebumps rise on my skin.
I take a spot that keeps him in my view and make a show of stretching so that I don’t look like a complete moron just standing there and ogling him.
However, it's not going well. I suck at what I’m doing and I'm certain that I look ridiculous.
My heart skips a beat for a moment when I see him looking at me. It skips more when I notice he's heading toward me.
Shit! Shit! Did he see me looking at him? Fuck!
“I could feel you staring at me,” he says as he stops in front of me. Can he read my mind?
Oh, God no.
“Oh, urm…” I chuckle nervously. “I was just uh…trying to copy your stretches.”
“You’re doing a horrible job,” he deadpans.
Embarrassed, I frown a bit at the blankness of his expression. “I mean… yeah, obviously.”
Lucas regards me for a moment. “I can help you out with that.”
What? No that's not what I meant.
“Oh…s-sure,” I stutter as he circles over to stand behind me.
I can feel his sweaty skin brushing against me and my heart starts to race. He helps me move smoothly, his breath blowing over my neck as he bends me over as part of the routine.
This is insane. It's hot. But it's insane.
His strong arms wrap around me from behind and I almost stop breathing at how close to my ass and his groin had gotten.
I tremble at his touch as he runs his palms over my body while we slowly move our bodies to the rhythm of the routine. The smell of his sweat mixed with his cologne adds to the turn-on for me.
I find myself fantasizing about how his strong arms could lift me right up and how his sweaty skin would feel on my body.
He grabs my waist, and my body tenses, but I get the move immediately and sway as his arms guide me.
I'm beginning to feel hot inside, maybe even wet, because there's something about him that's making me horny.
Everything about the way he's holding me is turning me on.
He bends me over to try and touch my toes, and in that moment, a silly image of him penetrating me in that position flashes in my head.
I try to think straight but I can't. I'm shaking inside. I'm yearning to have him, to feel him.
My eyes widen when his groin settles against my ass while I'm bent over. My heart skips and I think there's no way I'm making it out of here without making a fool of myself.
I'm trying to stay composed and in charge, but the more I try, the more I fail woefully. My mind is telling me to remain calm, but my body is threatening to expose my desires. It's threatening to get me in trouble.
I'm trembling at his touch and hoping that he doesn't notice it. I can't afford for that to happen.
Just as I feel like I might start to hyperventilate, Callum walks in, adding to my predicament with how nice he looks in his gym shorts.
“Hey, man,” he greets Lucas.
“Hey,” Lucas responds, quietly taking his hand off my arm and I feel him pull away.
“Morning, Liz.” Callum halts before me.
“Hi, Callum,” I reply with a smile.
He's shirtless too, just like Lucas, and his build is exposed unlike the first time I saw him. He's so sweaty and hot. His muscles are protruding sexily, and he looks a bit bigger this morning. It’s a testament his time spent with the gym equipment.
Will I really survive this without making a fool of myself?
“How are you today?” he asks.
“I'm okay,” I giggle, trying to mask my nervousness.
“That's good– that's good,” he nods, “So, have you decided about where to stay yet?”
Lucas withdraws from me the moment Callum and I start talking. I squint, trying to hold the conversation with Callum while still subtly eyeing Lucas. It's such a shame that he has to leave now that I'm beginning to feel a little comfortable around him.
I'm disappointed when I see him doing his own thing all by himself. I'd hoped we would have some time to talk, but he clearly only came over to put me out of my misery with the stretches and nothing more.
He doesn't even regard me enough to start and hold a conversation with me.
He turned me on and left me hanging. That's just cruel, even though I know it's not his fault.
Callum's voice brings me back to reality.
“Earth to Liz.”
“What?” I get a hold of myself.
“I asked if you've on where to stay yet,” he reiterates.
“Oh, yeah, um…” I scratch my forehead, trying to stay focused. “I'm taking the apartment next door.”
“Really, that's wonderful!” He beams excitedly. “So, you're going to be our next-door neighbor soon enough.”
I laugh. “Yes, it would seem so.”
“Amazing.”
“What would be more amazing is me getting a job.” The statement falls out of my mouth.
“You need a job?” Callum’s brows raise and he doesn't let me reply before saying, “That can be fixed real quick.”
“Really?” I ask, anticipating a positive response.
“Yeah, there's an opening at the place where I work out if you're interested.”
Without hesitation, I jump at the opportunity.
“Yeah, sure—of course.”
“All right. It's settled then.”
His phone rings and the caller steals him from me. I sigh as leaves to go take the call at a corner.
Maybe this won't be so bad after all.
I've got a really nice place to stay, a place where I'm going to be a neighbor to three hot guys, and now, I've got myself a job. Well, it's not official yet, but it's something.
I take out my phone and text Sophie again.
Hey, I know I said I needed you, but I've found a place, and I think I'm doing good. I’m still worried about you because I still can't reach you. Please let me know when you get this.
I hit the send button and stare at my lit-up screen.
Minutes passed and I still don't get a response. Now, I'm worried sick.
What's wrong with Sophie?
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