Page 21 of Keep Your Guard Up
He raised his eyebrows in question, those blue eyes looking a little grey, matching the circles under his eyes. Had he always been this worn-out? Or was I only just noticing?
“Are you living in my gym, Riordan?” I whispered. My chest twinged uncomfortably at the thought.
“Relax, Sunny. I’m not squatting in your gym.” He sat up, tossing the blanket aside to reveal the pair of baggy tie-dyed shorts he was wearing underneath. The shorts nearly reached his knees, but the lines that sculpted his torso cut in deep as he moved to stand.
My breath stuttered at those lines—how dangerously low his shorts were hanging.
“JJ had company last night … and happens to snore like a fucking foghorn.”
“You’re more than welcome to come and use our spare room.” Nan’s sweet voice filled the room, and my eyes bulged.
I turned to face her at the door as Gus trotted to my side.
She smiled a closed-mouth smile, her telltale sign of mischief. “We’re well aware of just how badly JJ snores. Aren’t we, Mari?”
I narrowed my eyes at her and hummed in response. Chance chuckled from behind me.
“Thank you, Marilyn, but I don’t want to intrude.” He smirked. “Besides, wouldn’t want to make Sunny here feel …uncomfortable.”
The exhausted grey that his eyes wore before vanished as amusement lit the way. The tension in his forehead relaxed, as well as the crease between his brows. For a moment, he smiled, a true smile, as he and Nan laughed together. I almost forgot about what they were insinuating.
“Me? Uncomfortable?” I scoffed. “Please.”
“You sure you’d be okay with it?” Nan poked.
“Yes, I’m sure,” I snapped, folding my arms.
“Great. Chance, be at the table for dinner at seven. I trust you to shower before coming over.” Nan settled, the tone of her voice leaving no room for bailing out on the plan she’d made. I looked over and Chance’s blues flared ever so slightly in surprise. Those eyes scanned my face before he smiled at Nan.
“A gentleman doesn’t show up unwashed now, does he?”
“I’d confirm that statement with that friend of yours,” Nan replied.
“Who? Sunny?” Chance asked, pointing a thumb towards me.
“No!” I scowled. “I do not smell!”
Any ounce of amusement left Chance’s face.
“No, you definitely do not.” Raw, fiery heat filled his gaze. His eyes ran over my figure, spending a generous amount of time along the curve where my waist met my thighs.
“I—” I sputtered. “Whatever!”
Chance and Nan laughed as I stalked out, Gus trotting alongside me all the way back to the kitchen.
“At least you wouldn’t rat me out,” I muttered to my sweet boy.
“And I suppose you think I did?” Nan asked, her ruby red lips pursed.
“Oh yeah. Big time, Nan,” I huffed. “You totally threw me under the bus back there!”
“What makes you say that, dear?” She took her usual seat at the table.
I levelled a look on her, and she laughed.
“I was just being polite, Mari,” she said, clicking her now emerald green nails on the table. She must have gone to the salon yesterday. “I thought I raised you to do the same.”
“I—”
