Page 14 of Wish You Would

Trying to ignore the fact that I’m turned on, I get up and walk past him to the kitchen.

“Where are you going?” he asks me with tension in his voice.

“I’m getting us plates and cutlery. Do you want to eat in the living room?”

“I want to finish our conversation. Briar… this stuff needs to go.”

“Give it a few days. It will grow on you,” I holler from the kitchen. “Did you see the blanket? It’s Merino wool. It’s so soft and cozy.”

“It’s 90 degrees outside, Briar. Why the hell do I need a blanket?” he asks before sneezing.

I roll my eyes. Would it kill the guy to say thank you? Geesh.

“Are you really upset over this?” I ask, returning to the living room with the plates and cutlery. I can feel his eyes on me as I set everything down on the coffee table. I turn to meet his gaze, and notice how his chestnut hair, which was perfectly styled a minute ago, is now tousled and messyfrom running his hands through it. His brows are furrowed, his eyes are red.

“I’m not upset, Briar. Do I look upset?”

“Holden, there’s a vein in your neck that looks like it’s ready to explode and your eyes are bloodshot, so yes, you look upset.”

“Did you have Bear out here?”

“Just for a second, but I kept her in my arms. I swear. Why?”

His expression softens. “Look, let’s just eat before it gets cold. I grabbed dinner from my favorite Greek place. Chicken souvlaki, salad, tzatziki and rice.”

“Sounds amazing. I love Greek. Thank you!” I say, happy that he appears to be willing to let the argument go.

I settle into the couch while he opts for the floor, stretching out one long leg. My gaze traces his movements as he opens the takeout containers. He’s still frowning, and my heart does this weird fluttery thing at the sight of it.

“I can take everything back tomorrow,” I tell him, softly. “I’m sorry that you hate it.”

Holden grumbles from across the table. “I don’t hate it. It was just… a lot to come home to. It’s fine. I’ll get used to it. Here. Eat while it’s hot.”

He hands me a plate full of food then makes one for himself.

“Thanks.”

He pops the lid back on the container and takes a bite of chicken before he gestures to my book where I left it on the coffee table. “You’re reading a book with a naked dude on the cover. Is this one of your smut books Daisy was talking about?”

I snatch the book from the table, hiding it on the couchnext to me. “It’s not smut. It’sromance. And every man should read it. You could learn a thing or two.”

Holden laughs, his eyebrows wing. “There is nothing I need to learn. I could probably write the sex scenes myself.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks. Just like that, I’m imaging Holden naked in bed with one of his groupies. I bet he knows how to make a woman scream with just his big hands. I bet sex with Holden is beyond incredible.Stop it, Briar. Stop thinking about having sex with your new roommate.

But then another thought pops into my head. Daisy said that Holden wasn’t hooking up with anyone, but I’m not sure I believe that. What if he were to bring some girl home one night? Itishis house, he can do what he wants. Jealousy claws at my belly, so I push that thought out of my brain and change the subject.

“Tell me something about yourself.”

He looks up from his plate. “What?”

“Tell me something about yourself,” I repeat. “If we’re going to do this roommate thing, we’re going to need to be friends.”

He gives me a once-over as I take a bite of my chicken.

“Just humor me, Holden.” I poke him in the arm.

He stays quiet for a moment. “Okay,” he says finally. “I hate New Year’s. You?”

---