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“Merchants?” Eros repeats with a frown. “And he owns this place by himself?”
“Carl said he came into some money when he first started there and was able to buy this house.” I shrug. “He doesn’t tell me much about what he does since I don’t get excited by big business deals.”
“Hmm.”
“Something wrong?” I ask.
Eros shakes himself out of his contemplation and lifts an eyebrow. He glances down my body and says, “You got his attention this morning.”
“He was probably just shocked that I was dressed like this or that I’m about to be engaged to a man he has never heard of before,” I reply, dismissing the idea, and then I head to my room to change into jeans and a T-shirt.
Eros follows me to my room. “His eyes dilated when your ass was on display while you were getting into the cupboard.”
“So what?” I huff as I open my drawers to find some jeans to wear. “I’m sure most hetero men and maybe some gay ones would notice if a woman’s halfway decent naked ass was presented in front of them. It proves nothing.”
“It’s like you don’twanthim to be attracted to you.” Eros crosses his arms, blocking the closet door.
I glare at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You hide under frumpy clothes. You play the dutiful, loyal friend?—”
“I’m not playing!” I snap.
“Yes, I know, but have you tried to make a romantic move in all these years? You have admitted you don’t flirt. Maybe he doesn’t really know how you feel.”
I freeze as the accusation hits me. Other than that drunken kiss over five years ago, I realize I haven’t actively tried to alert Carl to my interest in the last five years.
“Dee?” Eros calls.
“Huh?” I blink a few times to come back to the present. “I thought Carl wasn’t ready for something serious yet, and I’ve been protecting my heart by not pushing for anything more.”
“Has doing that protected you?” he asks.
I hate that he’s right. It’s only kept me stuck in limbo. It kept me safe from outright rejection, but it didn’t keep the pain at bay, not really. “Can you give me a minute alone?”
When Eros backs away, I shut the closet door so I can change.
I dress in my loose jeans and comfortable T-shirt, then I sit, curling up in the corner so I can think. I really hope Eros doesn’t come in to see how pathetic I look.
After maybe ten minutes of wallowing in my ineptitude, I gather my wits and open the closet door. Eros is waiting patiently, sitting on the edge of my bed with his elbows on his knees. He gives me a smile and looks like he belongs on the cover of a romance novel.
“Okay, master, apparently, you’re my only hope. Teach me the ways of love,” I say in a dry tone.
Smirking, Eros shakes his head. “I thought you’d never ask. Come here, sweetheart.”
“Where do we start?” Nervously, I approach him. “Do I have to kiss you to activate my powers now?” I ask. My heart races with the thought.
“No.” Eros captures my hand and has me sit next to him. “I will teach you what I can and let you try to win over Carl without any powers. That way, you’ll know it was you and not my magic that made it happen.”
“Ifit happens,” I correct.
Eros doesn’t comment on my negative attitude, but instead jumps up and brings my desk chair over so he can sit directly in front of me while I perch on the edge of my bed. His fresh scent is like sunshine after a cloudy week.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Teaching you.” He sits down and stares into my eyes.
I attempt to hold his intense golden gaze, but I can’t handle the scrutiny. What if he realizes I’m not as pure hearted as he assumes? I glance down.
