AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He gave me a shaky smile as he hung up his coat.
“What the fuck have you done to me, Tobias Dunn?”
And…that was a cold splash of water in my face.
“Please don’t call me that,” I said in very controlled tones.
“Isn’t that…I assumed that was what Toby was short for.”
“It is,” I admitted. “But only my mom calls me that. And, uh, she’s not exactly my favorite person.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. But please don’t do it again.”
“No, of course not. Here… Let me hang up your coat.”
“For fuck’s sake, I can hang up my own coat,” I scowled.
Now I was pissed. It had been an emotional roller coaster of a night, and I was tired. Maybe I should have gone home and agreed to talk with Alastair another time.
He didn’t say anything, but he gestured to a hook and backed off, toeing off his boots and opening the inside door to his home. Christ I was inhishome. I needed to be nicer.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I’m a little on edge.”
“It’s all right.”
I hung up my coat and toed off my boots, then padded into the main part of the house. He shut the glass door behind me.
“I keep it closed in the winter. It helps keep the warmth inside.”
“It’s very cozy in here,” I said, gazing about.
“Thanks. It’s small, I know.”
“But it’s yours. That’s what’s important.” Spoken by a guy who would kill to have his own place. “Do you own it or are you renting?”
“Own. Well, I’m still paying off the mortgage.” He flicked on the lights in the kitchen and switched on a table lamp by the sofa in the living room.
The plaster walls were white, but the wood trim was stained dark, and it kind of reminded me of the way that European pubs looked. The décor was decidedly masculine—lots of leather and darker pieces—but there were some soft touches, like a vase of flowers on the dining table and throw pillows in bright fabrics on the couch. Bookcases lined two walls in the compact living area.
“You like to read.”
“Yeah. Little bit.” He laughed. “Do you?”
“Yeah. But I don’t have as many books as you do.”
Alastair smiled, and I thought we were gonna be okay.
“Make yourself at home. Would you like a drink?”
I blinked. “Do you have Coke or something?”
Alastair eyed me. “Oh, right. I think so? Hold on.”
“Or tea?”
He laughed. “Sure. I’ll have some, too.”
