Scorched

“Let’s leave that for Syd and Kyler.” Andrea closed the door, and then strutted forward, opening the next door. I didn’t see it, but she huffed and then closed the door. The same with the next, and I guessed the third time was a charm, because she squealed as she pushed the door open. “This is mine.”

My brows rose as I followed her, and I had to give it to her. She had good taste. The bed was large, not as big as the master, but nice. The room was rustic—exposed beams in the ceiling, the wood-paneled walls painted grey.

She skipped into the room, placing a purse the size of a baby on a chair situated in the corner. Then she headed straight for a large white door. Thrusting it open, she clapped her hands together. “Oh my God. This bathroom. I could live in it.”

Setting her suitcase on an old wooden trunk by the door, I dropped my duffel on the floor with a thunk and followed her over to the bathroom. “Damn.” I leaned against the doorframe. “You could sleep in that tub.”

“I could! I just might.” She turned and looked up at me, smiling widely.

Something tugged in my chest, causing me to straighten as she whirled back around to the bathroom. “It’s a claw-foot tub. I’ve never actually used one of them before or seen one this big. It’s kind of…romantic,” she said wistfully.

I said nothing as she opened another door. “Oh, this bathroom must share with these two bedrooms.” Closing the door, she brushed past me, back into the bedroom. The peachy scent trailed after her, like a lure. “This place is really nice. Kyler’s mom has good taste.”

“Yeah.” I watched her walk over to a standing mirror, and of course, that meant I watched the way the snug jeans hugged her shapely ass. Andrea definitely was not lacking in that department either.

Shaking my head, I turned and walked around the bench placed in front of the bed. I glanced at her. She raised her brows. I power-bombed the bed and stretched out across the center. I only had to wait maybe three seconds before Andrea responded.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting comfy.” I folded my arms under my head as she froze in front of a dresser. “This bed is nice.”

“And it’s my bed.”

“No, it’s not. It belongs to whoever owns the house,” I pointed out gamely.

“No shit, Sherlock, thanks for clarifying.” She glanced at the open door and then whiskey-colored eyes met mine. “Thanks for carrying my luggage up.”

I winked. “You’re welcome.”

Interestingly, she sucked her bottom lip in between her teeth for a moment. “That was kind of me saying nicely it’s time for you to get the hell out of my room.”

“I know.”

Both brows flew up. “And you’re still here.”

“I am.”

She took a step forward and then stopped. “Don’t you have anything to do? Like go explore the rest of the house? Snapchat pictures of your dick to random chicks? Annoy someone else?”

“Not really.” I paused. Needless to say, I’d never sent anyone pictures of my cock, but now I kind of wanted to send one to her. “Guess what?”

She eyed me as she shuffled closer to the bed. “You’re a total chicken butt.”

Chuckling, I rolled onto my side, facing her. “That was pretty lame.”

“It was.” She shrugged, moving closer. “I’m not ashamed. I excel at being lame.”

“Nah, that’s not what you excel at.”

A frown creased her face. “If you say drinking is what I excel at, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

“You excel at distracting me and driving me crazy. Not necessarily in a bad way. Sometimes, but not always,” I admitted. Her eyes widened, and nothing that I was saying was a lie. “You also excel at being beautiful.”

Her lips parted. “You…” She shook her head. “…are still not getting laid.”

I laughed, but then my gaze dipped over the pale blue tank top she wore. The way her full breasts stretched the material snagged my attention. With great effort, I lifted my gaze. “I’m picking the room next door.”

Color pinked her cheeks. “Of course you are.”

“I think it’s awesome we’ll be sharing a bathroom. We can bond.” I smiled at her, the kind of smile that drew girls from across the bar like bears to honey. “I think we need to bond.”

“I…I don’t agree,” she quipped, and I realized my smile wasn’t working on her. Figured.

“Yes, you do.”

She folded her arms, and the swell above her top increased. Shit. I needed to stop staring at her breasts. “There are other bedrooms with their own bathrooms.”

“I like that one.”

“You haven’t even seen the other bedroom, Tanner.”

I grinned. “I know I’ll like it.”

Clearly exasperated, she stared at me and gave a quick shake of her head. Curls bounced everywhere. A moment passed. “What are you up to?”

“Nothing.” I patted the spot next to me. “Come here.”

One dark auburn brow rose. “Why?”

“Because I want to ask you something.”

“And you can’t ask me while I’m standing here?” She shifted her weight.

Sticking out my lower lip, I patted the bed again. “I can’t. I need you here, close to me. It’s the only way that it can be.”