Page 26 of Trust Me

After cleaning the kitchen and storing the leftovers in the fridge for her, I decide to text her. I don’t want to be an asshole, but I thought we had dinner plans. Not in the romantic sense, but when we made the schedule this morning, I assumed it meant that we were having dinner on the nights I was here.

Guess I forgot about the fact that she has her own life too, but part of me is worried. She didn’t text me where she would be or when she would be back.

Maybe something happened to her?

My gut churns at the idea, my mind working quickly to erase it. She’s an adult and has been alone all her life. Like she said, she can handle herself.

But to be sure, I send her a text.

I put my phone down, opting for an evening workout in order to burn off this restless energy I’m suddenly feeling. As I pull on my gym shorts and T-shirt, my phone pings.

A rush of relief sweeps through my body knowing she’s close and safe. Along with it is joy because her smart mouth is entertaining.

I smile down at my phone and think to myself that I can’t remember the last time I did that. I don’t reply and head to the gym instead where I run for thirty minutes, before doing an hour of weight-lifting. I don’t train as a professional anymore, but I still enjoy working my body the best I can while being wary of my injury.

Leaving the gym sweaty as hell, I decide to take my shirt off during the short elevator ride back down to my apartment. I’m nearly on my floor when it stops at the one above mine.

The metal doors open, revealing Jasmine on the other side. Her mocha eyes widen, trailing a path over my bare chest and down to my abs where they linger. Then her gaze snaps back up to my face.

“Why are you shirtless?” she huffs, folding her arms across her chest.

I smirk, loving that she finds me attractive. She doesn’t have to admit it, but I can read it in her body language and from the way her words came out all breathy.

The doors attempt to shut, but I put my arm out to stop them. “I was at the gym, and I’m about to go in the hot tub. Are you going to get in or not?”

Jasmine mulls it over for a second, her full lips pulling in. “You know, it’s only one floor. I could use a good walk.”

“Jasmine, get in the elevator,” I groan, annoyed that she’d rather walk than be in here with me.

Her head snaps up at my tone. “I don’t take orders from you, remember? See you at home, roomie.”

She turns, walking in the direction of the stairs as the metal doors try to close once more. This time, I step out of the elevator, chasing after her.

Turning her head over her shoulder, she rolls her eyes at me. “Elio, what the hell are you doing?”

“Walking with you,” I responded, falling into step with her. “You’re right. I could use a good walk too.”

“Didn’t you just work out? I’m sure you don’t need a walk.”

“I have to make sure I stay in shape. It would be a shame to lose my physique.”

It’s quick, but I catch her eyes flick down to my abs again before she faces forward. “I don’t think you need to worry about that.” Before I have time to gloat in her subtle approval of my body, she adds, “We have a hot tub?”

I love the fact that she says ‘we,’ but I don’t point that out to her. “Yeah, it’s in my bathroom. Another perk of being persuasive and having money.”

“Ugh, here I was excited to use it,” she mutters as she attempts to open the door to the stairs. I put my hand on the glass, halting her movement.

“I got it,” I say as I open the door, my voice lower than it was as I imagine her in my hot tub. Her in a bathing suit…fuck.

She shakes her head but walks through without a thank you.

Brat.

“You can use it too,” I tell her, bringing up the hot tub situation once more.

“When you’re not home, sure.”

We reach the bottom of the staircase, where I once again open the door for her. “You can use it when I’m here too. I won’t bite.”

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