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I lower my head and stare through the rain at Oliver. His hazel eyes are locked on me, and his mouth is parted slightly. His dress shirt and pants are soaked and sticking to his athletic frame, and my body heats as I take him in.
I’m checking him out, and I tear my eyes away, looking back to the wet sky.
“You’re going to catch cold,” he calls.
I smile at him. “It feels refreshing.” I hold my hand out to him.
He shakes his head like he’s coming out of a fog and steps toward me, his fingers sliding against mine as he tugs and pulls me under the awning. Lightning streaks across the sky a second later, and I grin at him as he leads me inside and straight into the elevator. He holds my hand tightly as we head down the hallway and into our flat.
He doesn’t relinquish my hand once we’re inside, and I lick my lips, tasting the rainwater on my skin. Oliver’s hand tightens around mine as he watches me.
Is he going to kiss me?
I want him to. I feel myself leaning toward him, and I could swear he’s moving toward me too.
He blinks, and the spell is broken.
“Why don’t you take a shower and warm up? I’ll order the pizza.”
My stomach drops, and I nod, taking a step back from him as he releases my hand.
“Pepperoni and cheese?” Oliver asks as I turn to head down the hallway.
“Sounds good. Let me grab my wallet.”
“No need, it’s my treat.”
“I can give you some money.”
He shakes his head, turns me around, and pushes me gently toward the bathroom. I stay under the warm spray for longer than I should, and I’m stepping out when there’s a knock on the door.
I hurry to get dressed and comb my hair before heading out into the living room. I changed into my pajamas and a pair of fuzzy socks, knowing I would probably eat and then pass out. Oliver seems to be on the same page because when I round the corner, he’s wearing a pair of low-slung flannel pants and a plain black t-shirt. He smiles at my sheep pajamas as he carries the pizza boxes over to the counter.
I’m not sure where to look. My eyes cling to him, admiring how his shirt hugs his muscles before trailing lower.
He sits next to me and sets the pizza box on the coffee table in front of us, and I look away from him as my stomach growls.
“Oh, that smells so good.” I practically drool as he flips the lid on the first box.
We each grab some pizza, breadsticks, and water before heading to the couch. He’s already queued up a movie, and I smile as Pride and Prejudice starts to play.
“My favorite! How did you know?”
“Took a guess,” he says, smiling at me.
We eat in silence, the rain thundering against the windows and the occasional streak of lightning lighting up the sky.
I’m not sure when I fall asleep. I think I made it halfway through the movie, but I can’t be sure. One minute I was fighting to keep my eyes open, and the next, I was fast asleep, curled up on the couch with Oliver, like in my dream the first night here.
SEVEN
Oliver
It rained all weekend,so my plans to take Avery out and show her some of the architecture and sights were ruined. I’m not too disappointed, though. We spent the entire weekend in our flat, curled up on the couch watching TV or reading. We cooked all of our meals together, and she even showed me how to make bread.
We kept brushing against each other, and I wondered if she could feel the sparks between us. I thought I heard her suck in a sharp breath when I brushed up against her a couple of times, but I can’t be sure. It was probably wishful thinking on my part.
I’m leaving this afternoon, and I won’t see Avery for a week, so I arranged to take her out to lunch before I had to catch my flight. I pull up in front of the building she texted me and see her flash of red hair as she heads through the small crowd outside the front door and over to my car. I get out, coming around to hold her door open for her. I know she’s capable of getting her own door, but I love the way her whole face lights up when I do it for her.
