Page 84 of Reflections of Peonies
This didn’t seem to mean anything to Damen. “That’s my point.”
I wasn’t sure how long it tookhimto purchase clothes, but sensible people didn’t need to shop all day. Then again, considering how often I caught him checking out his reflection, I imagined he tried on every item while admiring himself in the dressing room mirror.
I suppose that was the burden the insanely attractive must bear. Shopping must be a nightmare—how would such an individual know what to purchase when nothing makes them look ugly?
“Baby girl, are you thinking something disparaging aboutme?” Damen was in front of me now. He placed his hands on his hips, further staining his white tank with baby-pink paint. “Have I mentioned that sometimes, when you look at me, I feel emasculated?”
“I only think positive things.” I waved my hand and stepped out of Julian’s way as he followed me into the room. “What else would there be?”
Damen frowned at Julian, who put his hands in his pockets as he surveyed the room. “Julian, I think she makes fun of us in her thoughts.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Bianca doesn’t know how to be mean. You’re just self-conscious.” Julian didn’t sound concerned. “I thought you’d be further than this.”
Damen’s mouth dipped. “I had to order furniture.”
“It was fine before.” I frowned at the dust scattered throughout the space. “This isn’t going to be one of those renovations where I’m going to be stuck living in sawdust for the next few years?”
I blinked as Damen wrapped his arm around my back, and his spicy scent washed over me.
It would have been nice if he also wasn’t entirely filthy. Standing this close to him, I could easily see the coarse stubble coating his jaw. A line of perspiration dripped down his shirt, and a thin sheen of dust covered his skin.
“What?” I asked, trying to pull away from his male grossness.
His grin was too pleased. “Are you planning on staying long-term then?”
“Maybe if you finish your project,” I said, pushing his arm away. “Please don’t stand so close to me when you’re dirty.”
“You don’t like dirt?” he asked, lowering his arm as he tilted his head.
“I-I like to be clean, and I don’t like sweat.” I brushed at myskirts, no longer looking at him. It probably made me sound girly and dumb, but how could I explain the combination brought back memories?
“Where should I sleep tonight?” I asked. I couldn’t stay in here with just a mattress. There would be nowhere to hide.
“You could sleep with me.” Damen sounded hopeful.
I would think not. He needed some initiative to finish this project. Julian was still a medical student, so he needed his rest. And as for Titus, if he didn’t go back to work soon, Maria would murder him.
And that left only one.
“Where is Miles’s room again?” I asked. Didn’t Miles usually stay closer to campus anyway? It wasn’t like I had to sleep with him or anything. I was borrowing his bed.
“My feelings are hurt.” Damen jutted his lip out in a pout.
“Don’t worry, it makes perfect sense,” I argued, glancing up. Julian stood to the side with a bemused expression as he watched us. Meanwhile, Damen stood back, his hand pressed to his chest.
He quirked his eyebrow, frowning. “Are you going to explain how?”
“No.” I didn’t need to explain myself. Damen had already proven that his judgment was better left untrusted.
“So you’re sleeping in Miles’s room?” Julian stepped to my side, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
My heartbeat suddenly echoed through my ears—that had been rather assuming of me. “Do you think he’ll mind?” I asked, touching my bottom lip.
“Of course not,” Julian said. “In fact, he’ll probably be insufferable about the fact that you chose him.”
“I really should have asked him first,” I muttered. “But what if he says ‘no’?”
“He won’t.” Julian pulled my hand away from my mouth. “But there’s a certain way to approach him. Would you like to know what it is?”
