Oh, fuck.
Wrong bedroom. I wasn’t in my bedroom, because I’d given it up when Noel came to visit. I’d moved most of my personal effects out, but I’d forgotten my box of toys.
They were underhisbed. Not mine.
I scrambled to my feet, horror hitting me. I should have gotten those out of there before now. It had totally slipped my mind. God, what if hefoundthem? I’d never live it down.
My heart thumped hard and fast, and I had to take a big breath to calm down.
Don’t panic, I lectured myself.Just fix it.
I grabbed my towel from the bed and refastened it around my waist. I’d just go get the box while Noel was in the shower.
I opened my door and peeked out.
Noel stepped into the hall, and I ducked back so he wouldn’t see me. He walked past my room and went into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
I slipped into the hall and hurried down to his bedroom. I’d just grab the box and be gone with no one the wiser. I flipped on the light switch, then crossed the room to the bed.
I dropped to my knees and reached under the bed frame. The box had been shoved far under the bed. I had to lean against the mattress and stretch my arm out as far as it would go.
I managed to get my fingertips over the edge of the box. I drew it out, relief coursing through me, then froze at the sound of footsteps behind me.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
I whirled, clutching the box, still on my knees. In my towel and nothing else.
Noel stared at me, eyes wide.
“You’re supposed to be in the shower,” I blurted.
Noel crossed his arms over his chest. He was still fully dressed in jeans and a sweater. “And you’re not supposed to be kneeling in my room in a towel.”
Our eyes met, a sudden tension falling between us when his words hit. The arousal that had driven me here returned, sudden and forceful.
I licked my dry lips. “I just came for my box. I forgot it when I moved rooms.”
“Moved rooms?” he said blankly.
“I used to stay in here.”
“You used to stay in my room,” he said slowly.
“Maggie likes to keep the rest of the rooms closed off, and it’s closest to the stairs, so?—”
“I get it,” he said sharply. “I’m not even surprised.”
I grimaced. I’d been so offended when Maggie asked me to move, but I could see why. It bothered Noel that his mom let some guy move into his room. But she’d kept it empty for years. Noel was the one who’d stopped visiting.
“So what’s in the box?” he asked brusquely. “Must be important.”
“Nothing,” I said quickly. “Just personal mementos.”
“Uh-huh.” His eyes tracked over my bare chest, the towel barely covering me, my exposed thighs.
I became hyperaware of the fact that I was on my knees in front of Noel just minutes after I’d fantasized about the same thing.
“Give me the box,” Noel said softly.
