Page 45 of Twisted Beauty

Matt took his sopping coat from her and wondered if an elevator was a bad idea in a storm this violent. But his condo was on the top floor so he pushed the call button.

Liv backed away from him. “Are you kidding me? I don’t care if you’re on the twenty-third floor. I’m walking.”

Matt chuckled. “Ninth. But I didn’t think you’d be up for that.”

“Why, because I’m a princesa?” She shot him a stern look, and he couldn’t help but smile.

“Because you’re drenched and the stairwell can get slippery.”

“I’d rather break an ankle on the stairs than be stuck in an elevator in an electrical storm. Haven’t you ever ridden Tower of Terror?”

“Are we talking Disneyland here? I’m not a theme park kind of guy.”

“Too much happiness and joy for you?”

He repressed an urge to lick that smirk off her lips. “It’s overcrowded and the food sucks.”

“Some things are more important than food.”

Matt swallowed. He could think of one thing he’d rather have. Damn it. He held the door open to the stairwell and she stepped in and started to climb. “The first in a long list of what not to say to a chef.”

She continued in silence up the stairs, and he followed, wishing that delectable body of hers was still hidden beneath his oversized raincoat. He couldn’t tear his eyes from her hips.

Around the fifth floor she stopped and turned to face him, panting from the exertion. “So do you have a manual of what not to say to you?” She caught her breath between words, and his mouth watered. This would be one hell of a long night if he couldn’t touch her. “Just until the storm lets up. You know, so I don’t get myself thrown out like last time.”

Always with the sass. “Already tired, princesa? You know, I’ve been told I’m a caveman. I’m happy to carry you the rest of the way if you can’t make it.”

“I’m sure.” Liv picked up her pace, leaving him behind.

In the hallway outside his condo, Matt rifled through his pocket and pulled out a ring of wet keys. Opening the door, he held out a hand to usher her inside.

“Crap, it’s freezing in here.” Liv shivered as she stepped into the entry. She folded her arms across her soaked shirt and stopped a few feet in. “Wow.”

She glanced around his place, looking awestruck, and he marveled at how satisfying that felt.

Matt briefly looked at his own home through new eyes. The high ceilings, the tiled floor in shades of gray, the floor-to-ceiling windows with endless views of the sea. He’d remodeled it himself, with a little help from Zach and a few other friends. He’d only finished it six months ago, and already he was so used to the upgrades that he took it for granted.

He hung his coat on the perchera, a wooden coat rack he’d picked up from a restaurant that closed just down the street.

“I’ll turn down the AC.” Matt headed for the thermostat on the wall.

“No, don’t. I’m sure it’ll be perfect once I dry off.”

No matter what the setting, it wouldn’t be anywhere near cold enough for him. He had a dripping wet woman standing in his foyer. He needed to get her out of here and calm the fuck down. He didn’t want to make her uncomfortable by being a lecherous ass.

“Let me find you something dry to wear.” He allowed his eyes one sweep up her body. “I think I have some women’s clothes here that’ll fit you just fine. I’ll show you to the guest room and you can get dried off.”

Thank god showering was a bad idea in a thunderstorm. Because knowing she was naked in his shower would probably kill him.

She pinned him with her gaze, and her eyes looked smoky in the gray light through the windows. “You keep a stash of women’s clothes here? Wait, don’t answer that. I don’t want to know.”

He tried to laugh it off, but it came out a little strained. The fact was, he never invited women he dated here. This was his own space, and rule number one was family and close friends only. He was done inviting trouble into his home. Until now.

“I have a cousin who lives in Guadalajara. She comes to stay with me sometimes, and has left enough stuff behind to fill an entire closet. I’m guessing you’re about her size.”

Liv had the decency to look contrite. “Sorry.”

Matt took a step forward and lifted her chin until she was looking into his eyes. “I’m not the kind of guy to bring women home for a night and throw them out naked. Despite what you seem to think of me.” A drop of water trailed from the sopping wet hair around her forehead. Without thinking, he swiped a thumb across her cheek to dry it.