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“That’s…” His lips quirked. I gave him an admonishing look.
“Not funny, Sebastian.”
“Itisfunny.”
“Well, maybe it kind of is.” I bit my lip, trying not to give in to laughter. “But I should still apologize. Give a speech or something.”
He nodded. “That’s nice of you. It would be even nicer if you just tell him all that since he’s been standing behind us all this time.”
What?
I froze. Just like that, I found out why Sebastian had been so gleeful all this time. Horror consumed me as I slowly turned around and found myself face-to-face with a familiar man: tall, tats all over, muscles for days. The scowl was still there, too. Oh, my God. Did he hear everything?
“Sophie, this is Rupert Garth,” Sebastian crooned, unperturbed. “He’s our supplier and also our other roommate, not our guest. Rupert, this is Sophie Grace Jones. She’s Matthew’s family friend and, well, I guess Matthew failed to mention that she’s our new roommate. I guess you guys already met.”
Was it possible for mortification to reach another level? It wasn’t just my cheeks hot now as I stared, speechless. I was torn between pinching Sebastian and groaning when he snickered at the continuous silence. I settled for glaring at him before returning my gaze to the man named Rupert.
Surprise replaced his scowl at Sebastian’s introduction, though the scowl wasn’t fully gone. That was enough for me to deduce that he had a different idea about why I was there in the apartment, and that had my spine stiffening.
“Temporary roommate,” I corrected, unnerved by the intense gaze that studied me in silence. “Just until I find a new place.”
There was a scar on his cheek, which I hadn’t noticed when I’d barged into his shower. I wondered what caused it. A fight? An attack? He looked… dangerous, but not unpleasant.
And he didn’t sound pleased when he spoke.
“Hmm. I’m glad our encounter amused you.”
Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving me gaping at his back. I could have taken it as a joke, but nothing in his tone indicated amusement and I knew I needed to make amends quickly. Before I could, a door was slammed and he was gone. I started to move, but Sebastian’s hand wrapped around my wrist, gently tugging me back.
“Don’t sweat it,” he said. “You didn’t say anything bad and it was an accident.”
I hesitated. “Is he always that…”
“Moody? Yeah. Don’t worry about it. Andyouare still under the Sebastian tour. Come on.”
I reluctantly followed Sebastian as he ushered me out of the storage room and resumed talking. He was trying to make me feel better, so I played along.
But I wasn’t going to feel better until I apologized.
***
It took a couple of hours to find the right time, but I finally found Rupert alone in one of the storage rooms. I had watched him haul boxes in all morning, not breaking a sweat as he did everything quietly and with ease. When I entered the room, I stopped short, slapped with the same scenario of the man in a state of undress.
I watched his muscles shift and bunch as he took off his shirt and then wiped his sweat off with the shirt. It was as fascinating as the bathroom scene and something I couldn’t take my gaze off, but I forced myself to. Thankfully, his pants stayed on—not that it helped because Rupert was just so big and noticeable no matter what he wore. Remembering why I was here, I cleared my throat.
Gray eyes flicked in my direction, then looked away. Undeterred at the less-than-warm welcome, I marched over until I was in front of him.
“I’m Sophie.”
Silence, then, “I know.”
“My father and Matthew were friends way back in our hometown, and I asked him for a favor. That’s why I was in the apartment.”
“Hmm.”
“I’m sorry for barging in on you like that. I should have knocked first.”
“Hmm.”
