Page 33 of Fish out of Water
“How doIoweyou?” Everything was fine until he showed up. Then suddenly there was mailbox money, frozen fish tails, and breaking and entering.
All in one day.
“If it wasn’t for you I could have gone out of that closet and dealt with whoever broke in.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Sure.”
Like I was what held him back from rushing out and kicking ass.
I turned and walked away, headed back to my apartment. I should have stayed in the damn thing last night.
And again this morning.
A rumbling sound followed me.
I stopped and turned.
Grant was right behind me, the wheels of his suitcase loud as they rolled across the cement of the sidewalk.
“You’re serious?”
“Did you think I was kidding, Banana Pants?”
“You can’t stay with me.” I shoved on a smile as Mrs. Hill passed, waiting until she was out of earshot before leaning in closer to Grant. “I only have one bed.”
“Guess you’re sleeping on the couch then.” He continued on, going toward my building.
“I am not sleeping on the couch.” I ran after him. He might regret telling me to wear sneakers when I used them to kick his ass. “You’resleeping on the couch.”
“Good.” He shoved down the handle of the case when he reached the base of the stairs leading to the second and third floors. “It’s settled then.”
I stood at the bottom of the steps, watching as he carried his bags up to my apartment.
Last night I fell asleep on the couch cuddled up with cold Chinese food.
Tonight it would be populated by a tall, well-built pain in the ass.
Life was weird.
I rushed up the stairs, taking them two at a time. Grant waited for me outside my door. I bumped him a little as I moved in to unlock my door. When I pushed into him he didn’t move so I was stuck there, my ass shoved right against a part of him I was somewhat familiar with.
I unlocked the door, taking a little longer than I should.
“What are you doing, Julia?” His voice was low in my ear as he leaned closer.
“I’m letting us in.”
He pressed closer to me and my hand slipped off the key. “Is this how long it normally takes you to unlock a door?”
I shot him a glare over my shoulder. “Maybe.”
Grant’s arm came around me, making my lungs suck in a breath in anticipation of what might happen next.
Only what happened next was he unlocked the door and opened it, pushing it wide. His eyes held mine the whole time, pinning me in place.
His gaze dipped down my face, slowly lowering to my mouth. “Door’s open.”
“Good.” I couldn’t move.
