Page 65 of Sweeper
He exhales heavily and turns his baseball cap backward. “Fuck, I’m sorry. That wasn’t directed at you.”
“Pretty sure I’m the only other one standing in the room.” I take three steps backward to give him and his mood some much-needed space.
His face bends with sympathy. “I’m sorry. I’ve just had a bad phone call with my mom, and I’m…on edge.” He walks over to me and grabs my hand in his. “I’ll knock from now on, I promise. We can even come up with a secret code if you want. Knock once for oral. Twice for sex. Three times for…”
I press my hand over his mouth. “Don’t finish that thought if you ever want me to open the door.”
His breath is hot on my palm as he laughs and pulls my hand off his face. He kisses the top of it sweetly. “Okay, knocking is rule number one. What’s rule number two?”
I pull out of his embrace and walk toward my kitchen, surprised at his sudden urgency for rules. But honestly, I’m a bit grateful for it. Since this is my first casual relationship, I think I’m better with boundaries, especially after our deep feelings talk on the bus yesterday.
Reaching into my refrigerator, I grab two bottles of water and offer one to Zander. We both need to stay cool as we figure this out. “I don’t think we should spend the night with each other,” I state, flinching as I await his reaction.
“Okay.” His eyes flare in surprise as he untwists his cap. “That’s probably a smart rule. Plus, you picked out a really nice bed in my flat, so I’m good with that.”
I can’t help but smile. “You said flat, not apartment. Well done you.”
“I’m British as fuck now.” He waggles his eyebrows.
I cringe and shake my head. “A lot less British after that last remark.”
He laughs and takes a large swig of water, his Adam’s apple sliding down his thick neck in a way that makes me really…aware of his body. He wipes the liquid that dribbled down his chin. “Rule number three…no getting offended for late-night booty calls. We both know what this is, so why bother letting our pride feel smited over a last-minute decision to bone.”
“How you managed to use the word smited and bone in the same sentence is either a true mark of genius or an offense on all mankind.”
“I’m gonna go with the former.” He winks at me. “Your rule next.”
I lick my lips and nod as I lean against my kitchen counter. “I’d like to keep this a secret. I know Phoebe already knows, but I don’t want anyone else to know. My brother would not like me sleeping with a tenant, and I’m pretty sure the Harris Brothers would not like me sleeping with one of their teammates. Especially casually.”
Zander cracks his neck, a look of annoyance marring his features. “Fine.” The muscle in his jaw tics.
“We can still go out together if we want. Just maybe avoid the usual hangouts,” I offer because he seems agitated.
“Got it,” he replies, his nostrils flaring. “And I think this should be exclusive.”
“Really?”
Zander avoids eye contact with me as he adds, “I don’t really like the idea of sharing.”
“Are you talking about me?” I can’t help but laugh. It’s a rather possessive statement from someone who seems to be well acquainted with the idea of random hookups.
“Yes, I’m talking about you,” he responds firmly, and our eyes lock for a tense moment of silence. It’s the kind of silence that feels like the calm before the storm. It’s…really hot.
“Very well then,” I reply because if I’m being honest, I don’t like the idea of him with other women either. Not that his ego needs to hear me say that out loud.
“Good.” He nods briskly.
“Good,” I repeat, crossing my arms over my chest and feeling strangely naked right now.
“We’re settled then.”
“It appears we are.”
“We have work to do anyway,” Zander says and begins stalking toward me.
“What do you mean?” I ask like a moron because I have no idea where he’s going with this.
Zander stops in front of me and brings his fingers up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “We have to figure out what revs Daphney Clarke’s engine.” I roll my eyes and move to push him away, but he uses my momentum to pull me in close to his chest. “The last couple of times we’ve slept together, you’ve been very quiet.”
