Funny, how I stopped fucking around after I had sex with the very man who’s standing in front of me right this minute.
“I think it’s perfectly normal to feel that way,” I say with a shrug. “Every man I’ve been with over the years, I definitely can’t imagine wanting to settle down with any of them either. I mean, some were worthy of more exploration, if you will, but the spark always seemed to fizzle out and I’d lose interest quick.”
“Same,” he says quietly, lifting his head so his gaze meets mine.
My heart drops.
Oh. No.
He’s smoldering.
Seventeen
Carter
This woman is speaking my language.
“I wondered recently if it’s something that’s…wrong with me,” she admits, her expression uneasy. Did I mention how beautiful she looks right now? Her face is pretty much makeup free, with the exception of some smudged mascara beneath her eyes, and she’s wearing a forest-green sweatshirt that would probably look frumpy on anyone else, but somehow she is…
Gorgeous.
Sexy.
Her hair is in a cute topknot that’s really just a mess, and she’s had two cherry seltzer White Claws so she’s feeling herself, or at least that’s how she referred to it, right before the movie was over and she was yelling at Peter Kavinsky for being a dumbass.
Maybe I’m feeling myself too, thanks to the beers I’ve had, but the more time I spend with Stella, the more I like her. And I’m feeling that spark. The same spark we experienced that night we shared. The spark that’s been flaring to life since I moved in with her.
Right now the spark throwing some major heat.
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with you,” I reassure her when I realize I haven’t said anything and she’s probably waiting for some, you know, reassurance. Something I’m not that great at, or so I’ve been told by a few women from my past. “You just haven’t met the right person yet.”
“It’s true,” she says with a sigh as she leans against the kitchen counter. “I mean, I’m sure he’s out there. And I’ve met a few guys I’ve liked, guys I enjoyed spending time with. And when I say spending time, I mean having sex.”
I almost say thanks for the clarification, but I keep quiet. Maybe alcohol makes her more honest.
I like her even more when she’s open and honest.
“The last guy I was with, he called me a—sexual unicorn,” she further explains, and I’m grateful I’m not holding anything or else I probably would’ve dropped it.
“A sexual…what did you say?” I squint at her.
Surely I’m not hearing her right.
“A sexual un-i-corn.” She says the word slowly, like I can’t pronounce it and she’s helping me out. She smiles, her eyes sparkling, and she slaps the kitchen counter with her palm. “I like the way that sounds.”
Frankly, so do I, but I’m not going to tell her. This conversation is going down a path I would’ve never expected, that’s for damn sure. And we haven’t even ordered our pizza yet. I should probably change the subject and take the word sexual out of it completely. “Is the unicorn hungry for dinner?”
She laughs. “Sure.”
“I’m going to order the pizza then.” I pull my phone out of my pocket and tap away on the local pizza place’s app, ordering exactly what she requested. They offer barbecue chicken as a specialty, but I’m not going to push it on her now.
I’ll save it for later, because I will definitely be collecting my fifty dollars.
Frowning, I slip my phone back into my pocket, mulling over what I just thought. Save it for later? I never think like that about a woman. Well, she is my roommate, and if I’m lazy and don’t try to find my own place right away, I will most likely see her later. Months later. And that’s all she is.
Just a roommate.
I steal a glance at her, watching as she walks across the narrow kitchen and opens the fridge door, bending over to grab something. My gaze settles on her shapely ass, and I’m tempted to reach out. Pat it. Squeeze it. Caress it.
Yeah. Those are not the normal thoughts one has for a roommate.
She shuts the refrigerator door and turns, staring at me. “What’s wrong? You look like someone ran over your puppy. Is the pizza place closed?”
“No, no. It’ll be here in twenty-five minutes.” I smile, but it feels forced. My gaze drops to her chest, trying to make out her perfect tits, but the sweatshirt is baggy and doesn’t show me shit. “You caught me contemplating life, I guess,” I lie.
“Aw, are you struggling?” She steps closer, reaching out to gently rest her hand on my forearm. Her touch is electric, sending little shockwaves up my arm, and I look at where her fingers press into my skin. “Do you regret moving back here?”
“No, I don’t regret it.” I don’t regret the chance it’s given me to spend time with Stella. “It’s just been an adjustment.”
“You’ll find your footing soon, I’m sure of it. And my brothers will totally help you. You are still planning on coming with me to dinner Sunday, right?” When I nod, she continues, “I’m sure they’ll give you all sorts of information. They’ll also tell you what they want you to do to our nonna’s house. They’re very opinionated, so just nod and smile, and later, ask my nonna what she really wants. She’s the one you need to please, not them.”
“Is that what you do when you talk to your brothers? Just nod and smile and pretend you’re going to do what they want?” I can imagine them trying to boss her around and Stella telling them to go to hell. No wonder she’s so feisty—she had to deal with her overbearing brothers growing up.
She laughs, her hand dropping from my arm. I immediately feel the loss. “Yes, that’s exactly what I do. They don’t have a clue. I treat my dad the same way. They’re very bossy. And domineering.” She takes a step away from me, like she needs the distance. “You want to start the next movie?”
“Yeah. Sure.” She begins to move past me, but I touch her, my fingers circling around the bend in her arm. She comes to a stop, facing me. “Stella, I want to apologize again for how I left you that next morning. I’m sorry I just—bailed without another word. It was a cowardly thing to do.”
Her head lifts, her dark brown eyes meeting mine, and I see the confusion swirling in their depths. And the surprise. “I appreciate the second apology, Carter. And while I still expect a little more groveling from you, looking back, I realize I knew what I was getting myself into that night.”
Did she, though? Because I sure as hell didn’t. “Right. And you’re a sexual unicorn, so you were thoroughly prepared.”
She laughs, her eyes now sparkling with amusement. “Yes. I’m definitely a sexual unicorn, though I don’t think I’d consider myself prepared for what happened that night. You would be smart to try to capture me now, you know. I’m a rare and special breed.”
I go completely still at her words. So does she. Her eyes widen, and her plush lips part, as if she’s about to say something else. A little noise escapes her and then she presses her lips together, slowly shaking her head.