Page 51 of My Lucky Star
“I'll follow my nose upstairs then.” She pointed at the stairs, and I gestured for her to come in.
On the bottom step, she turned around. “Is the sourpuss around?”
“Emir’s fetching our lunch.”
Aria froze. “Should we wait?”
“For what?”
“I feel like we need a third wheel, what with you wrapped in a dish towel and all.”
Her T-shirt probably posed a bigger risk. It wasn’t only short but also loose, shifting like a curtain by an open window as she moved, hiding and revealing, begging for me to keep watch. Was she wearing a bra? I couldn’t see any evidence.
“Don’t worry, I took care of myself in the shower,” I blurted. “Now I can behave for at least ten minutes.”
She blew out a breath, her cheeks bulging with air. I felt a little bulging under my towel. So, I lied. My body would not behave, but I would try.
“You’re used to getting away with murder, aren’t you?” She shook her head, eyebrows drawn, but underneath, I caught the hint of glee she tried to hide. “Anyone else says stuff like that and they get done for sexual harassment.”
“What? I was saying Iwon’tharass you.” I threw out my arms, offering her my most disarming smile.
But she was right. I didn’t talk like this on set. I didn’t talk like this anywhere. Only with her.
“I don’t need to know what you do in the shower, Cem. I can’t... It’s a bit icky.” Her face contorted.
“Icky? I was thinking of you the whole time! It was the best moment of my day. No one’s allowed to ruin it. Not even you.”
Aria rubbed her face with both hands, groaning. “You have to stop that! I have a job to do, and your brother will be back at any minute. Could you turn it down by about two hundred notches? You’re coming on so strong I’m sure every female within a five-mile radius either dropped their panties or called the police. Possibly both.”
I took a step closer, testing her, giving her time to back away. Another step. More time. She shifted backwards, ever-so-slightly, but her eyes held mine, lips ajar. I advanced until I had her trapped against the curved wall by the staircase. Her expression eased, the indignation melting away with each breath. She wasn’t really mad at me, or even that embarrassed. She was enjoying our little game as much as I was, those sparks jumping between us. Somehow, misbehaving this badly, yet still being invited into her orbit, meant more to me than anything. The sense of freedom I felt around her made my chest expand.
I placed one hand on the wall by her head and leaned in, running my fingers down the side of her face. “I’m sorry. I’ve missed you.”
“It’s been four days.”
“Four days is too long.”
Her gaze swept across my arm. “You still have my phone number,” she whispered, eyes wide.
“I’ve been careful not to wash it off,” I confessed.
“But you have my number in your phone.”
I bit back a smile. “Did you wash off my pin?”
She blushed, presenting her palm with faint numbers still on it. “I didn’t actually use your card, you know?”
“You didn’t? Why not?”
“I didn’t want to feel like your... servant.” She wrinkled her nose, the color on her cheeks deepening.
“You’re not my servant!”
“Well, it felt a bit like that, with you pushing your money and gold watch and credit card.” She peered down, hiding behind her lashes.
“I’m sorry. I was freaking out and people are usually more helpful if you give them money.”
“I don’t want your money, Cem.” She lifted her chin, eyes burning with conviction.
