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He leans over me, resting one hand on the back of the chair and the other on the desk.
I try not to inhale too deeply. He smells amazing, like man and clean laundry.
“I’ve been sketching outfits.” I don’t look up at him. “I used to be really good at it.”
“It looks like you still are.” He takes the pantsuit drawing from my hand and studies it closely. “Is this for you?”
“No. I mean, I would like it made and to wear it, but I have no place to go, so…”
“You’re really talented.”
“You think?” I watch him examine my work. “If it was in color, it’d look better, but I only have a pen.” I wiggle it.
“The drawing is amazing. The proportions and figure of the model are precise, but if you ask me, she’s a little too bony. Women should have curves.” He sets down the sketch and taps the image of the thin model I drew. “You would look incredible in this. You should make it or have it made just to show me.”
A smile breaks across my face and my cheeks heat. “Careful, Riley. I might get the wrong idea and think you’re flirting with me.”
“Oh yeah?” He smirks in that sexy, charming way. “What if I am?”
I swallow deep in my throat. “That would change things between us considerably.”
His gaze bores into mine. “How so?”
As if in unison, the kittens meow, like they’re crying. Once again, saved by the pets.
I jump up and race to fill their bowls with food. “Will you let them out, please, so they can eat?”
“Sure.” He strolls to the kittens.
I busy myself with getting fresh water and making sure the kittens find their bowls.
“I hated that you slept on the couch, Nova.” Riley appears behind me.
“I don’t mind, really.”
“Tonight, I’ll sleep on the couch, and you can have the bed. How about that?”
I giggle and stand, putting some distance between us. “If I’m going to be spending so much time in your suite, I should get some stuff to keep here to make it easier.”
“I’m fine with that.”
His gaze holds mine, and it’s like he’s flirting with me again. Is he or is it my imagination?
“I feel bad.” I rest my hand on my hip. “I’ve taken over your life here without giving you fair warning. You didn’t even know this would become the kittens’ domain. If it’s too much, we can switch rooms.”
He sends me a crooked smile. “Is this your way of getting the Caribbean suite? I told you I’d give it to you before we got the kittens. You don’t need them as an excuse.”
“It’s not an excuse. I just feel bad, like we’re taking over your freedom here.”
He chuckles in his sexy, gravelly voice.
I feel it between my legs and squeeze my thighs together.
“You’re not. If you were, I’d tell you.”
“You would?”
“Yes.” He doesn’t blink.