Laurel
I struggle to hold on to my five-dollar pizza, backpack and keys as I make my way to the front door of my lower-level apartment.
At least I have that going for me. It’d suck to take the stairs every day. I do enough of that at the library where we have several floors.
I purposely worked an extra shift today to avoid watching my roommates move. I couldn’t have stomached all the flirting between them and Jason.
I also didn’t want to get recruited to help. Besides, I need the extra hours at the library in case it doesn’t work out with my new roomie.
Opening the door, I look around the living room and drop my backpack to the floor.
What the hell?
There are still moving boxes in the room, but they look different. There’s a huge flat-screen television where my TV used to be, and a different recliner has replaced the old one that was Angie’s.
I walk to the kitchen, and setting the pizza down quietly, I listen for any sounds. The car Angie and Sabrina share is gone, but I have this gut feeling I’m not alone.
Maybe it’s because there are two plastic totes sitting on my kitchen floor I don’t recognize, either. Oh, and let’s not forget the television and recliner.
I tiptoe down the short hallway to the bedrooms. Mine is on the left, and there are two on the right that have a bathroom between them. I have a small bathroom off my bedroom, as well.
The first bedroom on the right was Angie’s, and it’s empty, minus my old TV, which is sitting on the floor. Maybe the cocky bastard was eager to move in and brought over some things when he came to help the girls.
Continuing down the hallway, I cover my mouth when I get to Sabrina’s room. Jason is stretched out on his stomach, asleep on a bed I don’t freakin’ recognize. I’m guessing it’s a queen-size, and I can’t believe he moved in already!
His muscular arms are hugging a pillow, and his long legs almost hang over the end of his mattress. There are boxes scattered around the room, minus where an oak dresser sits that matches his bed.
Quietly, I walk over to him. He’s wearing only a pair of navy athletic shorts, and shit, his body is superb. Jason does not deserve to look this damn good.
Two textbooks are open next to his leg, and his cell phone is lying on the pages of one. He seems a little too comfortable already, so I’m waking his ass up.
Sticking my finger out, I poke his toned bicep. He flinches and lets out a loud exhale, but he doesn’t move otherwise.
I study his handsome face while I have the chance to stare. Long lashes rest above cheeks that cave in below his high cheekbones.
The sunken-in area only gives more definition to his sharp jawline. It should be a crime to be this attractive. We should throw all the breathtaking people in jail and throw away the key.
I guess that’s harsh. Maybe they should be exiled to an island. At least then the average-looking people would have a chance in this world.
The Breathtakers could sip mai tais while they bask in the sun on a sandy beach, procreating in their luxurious huts to make gorgeous babies that grow up to be breathtaking like them.
“I know women enjoy checking me out, but how long are you going to do it?” he asks huskily, causing me to jump. Opening his eyes, he grants me a lazy, inviting grin.
“Why are you already making yourself at home in my apartment?”
“I put cash on your kitchen table, so technically it’s our apartment now.” He rolls onto his back and palms his eyes to wake up.
“I didn’t know you were going to move in the same day they moved out.”
“I hadn’t planned on it, but Colton was annoyed about helping them move, so I decided we better do it all at once. I prorated the rent, so you get extra this month. I figured you’d appreciate it.”
“A text stating you were moving in today would’ve been appreciated.”
He sits up in bed, and I struggle not to eye his sexy bedhead hair or ab muscles that are pronounced from how he’s positioned.
“Sorry. It was a hectic day. I was exhausted after the move and had a bunch of homework to do, but I finally had to take a nap. I couldn’t read another page. What time is it?”
“8:30 p.m.”
“I need to eat.”
“Where’s your car? I didn’t see it out front?”
“On the last trip, I rode with Colton. He’s picking me up in the morning to get it.”
I bite my lip, wondering if I should offer him pizza, but I don’t want him to assume my food is his. Having him pay rent will be pointless if he eats all my groceries.
“I guess you had a long day, too,” he says as he rubs his eyes again. “Sabrina said you were working a double.” Moving his phone, he shuts his books.
“Yeah, my feet are sore.”
“I’ve got beer in the fridge if you want one.”
“Wow, you’ve really made yourself at home.”
“Mi casa es su casa.” He grins up at me, and I grin stupidly back while shaking my head.
“I see how it’s going to be. I bought a pizza. It’s a cheap one, but if you want some, I’ll trade it for a beer.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
I point my thumb over my shoulder.
“I’m gonna go change.” Before he can reply, I hurry from his room and into mine. I shut the door and head for my dresser where I grab a pair of pajamas.
Shit, I can’t wear these. They’re too thin, and he’ll see things he shouldn’t. I’ve never lived with a dude aside from my deranged father, and I see it’s already making me uncomfortable.
I’m even going to have to stay in my fucking bra, and that’s a hell no once I’m home. This could be a deal-breaker.
No, screw that. I have nice tits that are still high and proud. As long as my nipples don’t get hard, there’s not much for him to admire and nothing for me to be ashamed of.
Rummaging in my drawers, I find black yoga pants and a light blue sweatshirt. I change out of my nicer jeans and sweater into the comfy clothes and stare at my breasts in the mirror.
He’ll be able to tell I’m not wearing a bra, but you can’t see through the material, so I think I’m good. I straighten my ponytail next and wipe away the old mascara from under my eyes.
When the girls were living here, I didn’t give a damn about my hair and makeup. Surely, I’ll feel like Jason’s an old friend soon, and I won’t care what I look like around him.
I need his half of the rent more than I need to be comfortable, so I’ll make this work. I imagine after tonight, we’ll hardly see each other. I work a lot, and he’s managing eighteen credit hours, which is nuts.
Taking a deep breath, I stroll to the kitchen and open the lid to the pizza box to get a slice only to discover that four are missing.
“I already got your pizza,” he calls out from the living room. “And your beer.”
Alrighty then. I walk into the room, and he’s made himself at home in his recliner. He also put on a t-shirt, which is a tad disappointing.
“Do you have an issue with me eating in here? If you do, I’ll sit at the table.”
“No. There’s nothing you can hurt in this room. We always eat in here.”
“Cool.”
“Um, I see you replaced my television.”
“Mine’s huge, so I figured you wouldn’t mind.”
I bet he has something else huge I wouldn’t mind, but he’s already stuck that member in Angie and Sabrina a time or two … or three. Who knows?
“Your TV’s fine.”
“What do you watch on Saturday nights?”
“I usually binge shows on Netflix.”
He wiggles his eyebrows. “I get it. You’re a Netflix and chill kind of girl. The kind who only gets freaky in the privacy of her own home.”
“Hardly,” I mumble as I sit down on the couch and take a drink of the beer he left for me on the side table. “I haven’t dated in a couple of years.”
“That’s not what I meant by that statement.”
“OK, I haven’t hooked up with anyone in a couple of years.”
“So, it’s Netflix and chill alone? How sad.”
“I know. I’m sad and pathetic. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, can I enjoy my pizza?”
“I didn’t say you were either of those things. I was only saying the fact you spend so much time alone is sad.”
I shrug. “I have my friend Chloe, but she spends her weekends hunting men, hence why I watch Netflix alone on Saturday nights.”
“Understood.”
“I’m between shows, so if there’s something you want to watch, help yourself. I’ll probably fall asleep, anyway.”
“It’s too damn early for you to crash. I like documentaries. Want to watch one with me?”
My eyebrows lift. “You watch documentaries?”
“Yeah. My dick’s not the only thing I like to stimulate.” His lazy grin returns, and I blush.
“OK, pick one.” While he pulls up Netflix, I grab a slice of pizza off my paper plate and take a bite. Maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised by having him as a roommate.
If he can occasionally keep me company but get his freak on elsewhere, this could work to my benefit. I guess time will tell.