“Is this your bedroom?”
“No, it’s my mom and dad’s room,” he replied.
I was curious to see his room. We walked out, and there was another door at the end of the corridor. “Thisis my room,” he said, opening the door.
Wow.
WILLIAM’S BEDROOMwas the largest one in the house. It had floor-to-ceiling windows on each end. One overlooked the ocean, and the other side had a view of the pond and garden. There was a king-sized bed with a fluffy, white down-feather comforter and gray throw pillows.
A large dark gray puff beside the window looked soft and cozy. There was a small wooden coffee table beside it with a couple of books laid on top. An acoustic guitar was displayed on its stand in the corner.
“Do you play?” I asked. Is there anything sexier than a guy who can play an instrument?
“Mhm,” he replied, grazing the strings.
A large bookshelf leaned against one of the walls beside the door. It was filled with books and a few photographs of William and his family. I thought it was the most breathtaking room I’ve ever seen in my life. Simple yet cozy and inviting.
“You were so cute!” I said, lifting a frame. William and Joel were dressed up as clowns. They looked like twins. The only way I could tell them apart was by height. “Well, you still kinda are.”
“Cute?” he lifted a brow. “I’m a grown-ass man.”
I laughed because he was so damn right.
“Um—you know what I mean,” I said, putting the portrait down.
“I don’t. I know you can do better.” He sat on the bed and crossed his arms at his chest with a wicked little smile that always got under my skin.
“I’m sure you’ve received enough flattery for a few lifetimes.” I kept walking around the room, looking at everything.
“Not from you.” He wanted me to tell him he’s hot and gorgeous, but he already knew that!Sorry.Not yet. I looked over my shoulder to where he sat on the bed and smiled in response.
Time to change the subject.
“I’ve always wanted to play the piano, but I never got into it.”
“I’ll teach you,” he said casually, standing up and making his way to the garden view window. He grabbed a small remote and clicked on it.
“Youalsoplay the piano?” I snorted with disbelief, looking at how the curtains slowly started closing.
“I do,” he replied with a sexy grin. This guy couldn’t have been more unreal. “What?” he asked with a faint laugh after I kept staring at him without saying a word.
“Nothing. You don’t exist, so I’m going to bed. I’m probably talking to myself right now.” I walked toward the door to increase the dramatic effect of my remark.
He grasped my arm and said, “That was cute, but you’re not going anywhere.”
William pulled on my robe’s belt and drew me near him. I was now standing an inch away from him. I’m sure he got the wrong impression at the pool that somehow, I was now eager and willing to submit to his charms whenever he felt like it.
And in a way, to be completely honest, I’d always found him utterly attractive. How could I not? I’d need to disconnect myself from my senses to become unaware and unaffected by his existence.
Another part of me knew the type of guy he was—a charmer.
I witnessed first-hand how he flirted with me, then left a minute later, holding another girl’s waist. The memory of that triggered a weird sense of discomfort inside of me.
Was itjealousy?
I’d never considered myself to be of the jealous type. Perhaps it had been an uncharted sensibility that hadn’t been prompted in this way before. The last time I felt jealous was when I saw Caleb kissing Noelle, but it seemed different this time. More … real.
Where were we?