“The moving crew is here,” Reagan yells up the stairs.

“Coming,” I shout as the rubber soles of my sneakers pound down the wooden stairs. I skid to an abrupt halt at the bottom when I see Noah, Nick and another guy I don’t recognize standing in the entryway of my parent’s home.

“The guys are going to help us move your stuff. We should be able to make it in one trip with all their help,” Reagan says, smiling in Noah’s direction.

“Hey.” I wave, awkwardly, shoving my hands in the front pockets of my shorts.

Nick steps forward, gesturing to the mammoth size male standing next to him. “Carter, this is my buddy, Zeke. He’s going to make short work of this move.” He smacks Zeke on the chest with the back of his hand.

Smiling, I hold out my hand and he clasps it firmly. “It’s nice to meet you, Zeke. I appreciate the help.”

“It’s great to meet you. Nick promised me pizza and beer so it’s all good.”

Nick shrugs his broad shoulders. “What can I say? He’s a cheap date.”

Noah claps his hands together, the deep thunderous sound immediately cuts off any conversation, drawing all eyes to him. “Let’s get this show on the road, people. This furniture isn’t going to load itself.”

“Everything I purchased is in the garage and there are tubs of clothes and some boxes in my room upstairs,” I inform them.

“Zeke and Reagan, you guys come with me. Nick, you and Carter head upstairs and start grabbing stuff,” Noah orders, taking charge of the situation. Oh no. Why’d he have to choose Nick to help me? I don’t want to be with him, never mind alone in my bedroom.

“Candy,” he leans down, whispering in my ear. “Lead me to your room.”

Ignoring his teasing tone, I start up the stairs. With every step I take I sense the heat of his presence behind me. I imagine his strong hands gripping my hips, guiding me along.

Stop it.

Squeezing my lids shut in disgust, my toe catches on the lip of the top step and I sprawl forward. I shove my hands out in front to catch my weight as my eyes fly open, but Nick hooks an arm around my waist, preventing me from landing on the floor. Instead, my ass pushes back into his groin.

“I like this,” he croons, his lips brushing over the bottom of my earlobe as he holds me pressed tight to him. I gasp at the feel of his hard cock against my ass through his basketball shorts. “You like it too, huh?” he asks, cockily.

I don’t answer, instead, I pry his arm from my waist, jolting forward, creating some much-needed distance between us. Entering my room two steps in front of him, I move toward the packed boxes. “How do you want to do this?” I question in my most businesslike tone as if we weren’t in a compromising position only seconds ago.

“I’m going to start carrying boxes downstairs and you’re going to wait here.”

“I can bring some too. I’m not helpless.”

“Candy, these boxes are bigger than you are. How do you expect to carry them?”

“I can take the bags with my sheets and comforter at least.”

“If you insist, but maybe you can get the front door for me,” he says, stacking one large box on top of another. Bending down, he lifts both up into his arms and heads through the open doorway.

“Nick, you can’t even see where you’re going,” I call as I hurry after him with a trash bag in hand. “You’ll break your neck falling down the stairs.” My hand on his arm has him pausing.

“Are you worried about me, Candy?”

“Of course, I am. I don’t want you to get hurt helping me.”

He chuckles.

“I mean, I don’t want you to get hurt at all.” I blow my hair out of my flushed face. We’ve barely begun and he’s already making me perspire.

“These boxes are heavy. Would you mind if we continued this conversation later?”

“Oh, sure. Sorry.”

Nick successfully navigates his way down the stairs and I breathe a sigh of relief as I follow. Stepping to the side, I hold the door and watch his ass as he passes through. My gaze raises to take in his broad shoulders that are emphasized in a tight green t-shirt, before dropping back down to his backside. He bends down as he sets the two boxes inside the small cube truck I rented for the day and my heart palpitates in reaction. In the past, I’ve never really been the kind of girl who checks out guys asses, but Nick’s is like a magnet for my eyes. My cheeks flush pink, as he catches my gaze.

Does he know I was just checking him out?

Can he tell just by looking at me?

I hand the bag of sheets up into the truck and head back to my room to grab another. By the end of today this move will be behind me and I won’t have to see Nick anymore.

* * *

“What do you mean neighbor?” I ask, my hands on my hips.

“We’re neighbors now,” Nick says, with a smirk twisting his masculine lips.

“Where do you live? Down the street?”

“Nope, try right across the hall.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“No, Ma’am. I wouldn’t joke about that.” He grips my hand, tugging me along beside him. Leading me to the propped open door, he points at the apartment directly across the hall. “That’s where Zeke and I live. We also have another roommate, Trevor.”

I can’t believe this. The first time I saw this apartment I immediately fell in love with the layout. The rooms are filled with large windows that let in loads of natural light and the location is near school. It’s even conveniently located for my new job. Everything about this place is perfect, except for Nick being my neighbor.

How am I supposed to avoid him if he lives right across the hall?

Is the universe set on making my life hell?

Why can’t I catch a break?

“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

“Did you plan this?” I question. My eyes narrow as I carefully study his expression.

“Sure, Candy. This is all part of my nefarious plan to make you my sex slave.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me.

I know I sound like a paranoid freak, but what am I supposed to think? This all seems too coincidental for comfort.

“Noah asked me if I knew of any apartments and I told him about this one. I knew the guy that lived here had just moved out and it wouldn’t be available long.”

“Thanks, I guess. It’s a great apartment, but I don’t really need babysitters. I’m a big girl.”

“I’m not interested in babysitting, but I’m up for any private slumber parties you want to invite me to.” He winks.

I roll my eyes. “You would say that.”

“We had some great sleepovers in New York. I haven’t slept that well since.”

“Hmm,” I hum, noncommittally.

“You disagree?” he asks, putting me on the spot.

Raking my bottom teeth over my top lip, I think about how honest I want to be. Should I tell him that I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since? Or should I pretend that sleeping in his arms was mediocre? “I don’t disagree, but what good does admitting that do? There’s no reason for it to ever happen again.” I raise one shoulder in a half shrug.

“I think the fact that we both enjoyed it is enough of a reason to do it again. What time should I come over tonight?”

“What?”

“You heard me. What time are we going to bed?”

“We’re not going to bed at all.” I wag my finger back and forth between us.

“Wow, you’re a party animal. What are we doing all night?” He rubs his palms together.

“Stop deliberately misconstruing what I’m saying.”

“I don’t know what you’re referring to. I’m merely going by what you’re saying.”

“You and I aren’t going to bed at all.”

“I know. You already said so. That’s why I asked you what we’re going to be doing all night if we’re not sleeping.”

“Grrr,” I growl, frustrated with his games. “Stop twisting my words around.” I poke his chest repeatedly with my fingernail, punctuating my words. “Has anyone ever told you how annoying you can be?”

“You seem to be the only person who thinks I am. Most find me irresistibly charming.” He flashes an easy grin. Pressing my lips together, I aim a skeptical glare in his direction. “Let’s finish getting you unpacked and we can negotiate whose bed the sleepover is taking place in.”