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“Oh, hold on,” I say, jumping up and hurrying to the door. I unlock it and swing it open. “Sorry.”
He’s not long out of his shower. His hair is wet and pulled back. He’s got on a T-shirt and old gray sweats. “What’s the matter?” He scans my face urgently. “You look flushed. Are you sick?”
Before I can stop him, he reaches out and feels my forehead, then slides his palm down to cup one of my cheeks. “You feel warm. Do you have a fever?”
“No, I don’t have a fever!” I can’t believe this is happening. How did I get myself into this ridiculous situation? “I’m fine. Just a little warm, I guess. I was...” I fumble mentally for an excuse to have the door locked. “I was on the phone.”
He’s still frowning. If I didn’t know better, I’d have no idea what he was doing in the shower not very long ago. “Who were you talking to on the phone?”
“What does it matter?” I sound grumpy because I’m running out of excuses, and I really want him to let it go.
His forehead lowers. His eyes darken. “Why won’t you tell me? And why are you so flushed? Were you talking to a boyfriend?”
He’s now offered me a perfect excuse for what I was doing just now, but there’s no way I can take it. “Of course I don’t have a boyfriend! What the hell, Arthur? Do you think if I had a boyfriend I’d be... I’d be this way with you?”
His shoulders and his jaw relax. His eyes deepen. “What way is that?”
“You know what way,” I grumble. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. Of course I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Okay.” He shifts his weight from foot to foot almost imperceptibly. “Good.”
“Yes.”
His mouth twitches faintly. “I’m glad. I wouldn’t like that at all.”
“Wouldn’t you?” I’ve completely forgotten my embarrassment. Nothing matters but that fond look in his eyes. “Why wouldn’t you like it?”
“You know why.”
“I thought you said it was wrong and you wouldn’t do it.”
“That doesn’t mean I want some other asshole to get his hands on you.”
I can’t help giggling at that. “If I had a boyfriend, he wouldn’t be an asshole.”
“I beg to differ.” He sounds cool. Lofty. Teasing. “So if it wasn’t an asshole boyfriend, who were you on the phone with? Are you sure you’re not getting sick?” He reaches over to feel my forehead again.
Despite the brief boyfriend diversion, he’s completely in control now. I honestly can’t believe he was jerking off in the shower not very long ago. Something needs to shake this man out of his endless composure.
Maybe I’m the one who has to do it.
Once the temptation arises, it won’t be denied.
“If you must know, I was getting myself off.” The words come out blandly. I hear them. I actually say them.
Arthur freezes with his lips parted slightly. Only his eyes move, searching my face.
“So no, I’m not getting sick.”
He starts to say something, but no sound comes out.
I stifle a giggle. “Are you finally at a loss for words? I never thought I’d see the day.”
He opens his mouth again. Makes a weird guttural sound.
“All right then.” I’m not sure how to bring this topic to a close, so hopefully he’ll remember how to speak again soon.
“Scarlett,” he finally rasps.
