Page 30 of Loud Hot Roomie
“You’re blushing! Riko Valentine is blushing!”
We both crack up with laughter.
“You would too if you knew what he could do with his tongue,” I say, taunting her.
She swats at me. “Enough details. I still feel like I could barf. Go home and play house with yourhubby.”
Don’t mind if I do.
“Right there,” Rhett says, poking his finger at the kitchen window. “Savvy lives there.”
I follow his finger to see a unit across the pond beside the beer bros’ place. “Cool.”
He grunts, unimpressed, and then continues to scan my new living arrangements. “This place is a lot different than where you used to live.”
“I get it,” I grumble. “You hate it.”
“I don’t hate it. I’m just surprised.”
Of course Rhett wouldn’t approve. He’s wrapped up in the world of our elite families, loving every second of what their power offers him. Since my parents treated me more like a trophy to be shown off, I feel relieved to be away from it all. And, sure, this townhouse doesn’t have granite countertops or wood floors, but it’s clean, freshly painted, and feels like home to me.
“Be nice to Derek,” I say as I check the potatoes that have been cooking in the oven. “Don’t be too hard on him.”
“I know, I know. You like him.”
We chat about random shit until I hear the front door open. My heart dances happily in my chest and I shoot Rhett an eager grin. He shakes his head at me as if he doesn’t know what to think about this new version of me.
Derek strides into the kitchen, still dressed in his delicious brown uniform, and greets my best friend with an outstretched hand. “Derek Blake.”
“Rhett Monahan. Nice to meet you.”
Then, Derek turns his gaze on me, burning me with his stare. “Hey.”
“Hey.” I can feel the heat in my cheeks. I want to kiss him, but Rhett’s here and I don’t want to make it weird.
Derek clears his throat. “Let me grab a quick shower. I’ll be down in a second.”
I watch as he walks away, checking out his ass and sniffing his sweaty, musky scent left behind. Finally, I turn back around to look at Rhett. His eyebrows are at his hairline.
“You’re in love with this guy.”
“I barely know him,” I deflect. “We just connect is all.”
“I know you,” he says, shaking his head. “You have never once acted this way around someone you liked. Not even that teacher you used to flirt with all the time.”
We both know I did more than flirt and it destroyed the man’s life in the process.
But, like me, he doesn’t like to rehash stressful shit.
“He’s really hot,” I tell Rhett as I start cooking the steaks on the iron skillet. “You saw him.”
“I saw the way he devoured you with his eyes.” Rhett cackles with laughter. “I felt violated. Like I witnessed telepathic sex or something.”
“You’re an idiot.” I jab a finger at the fridge. “Make yourself useful and get the salad going.”
Derek did devour me with his eyes. Last night was his mouth. Tonight, it’s my turn.
I wonder how quickly I can kick my best friend out…
