Page 54 of Sinful Hearts

The water is already steaming hot when I turn it back on.

I jump and shriek when the door opens.

“Forgot this.” Emilio throws a washcloth inside, and it smacks me in the face. He shuts the door.

I take my sweet time in the shower but also keep my eyes on my surroundings. I watch his profile move around the bathroom, but he never lingers too close. When I’m finished, I open the door.

He holds out a towel for me, and when I step out of the shower, I notice he’s changed into gray sweats and a white V-neck tee. It’s the first time I’ve seen him casual. As I dry off, he walks to the vanity and starts brushing his teeth.

I keep the towel tight around me as I snatch my pajamas and bring them back into the shower, not caring that the bottom of my pants gets wet. When I step out, he doesn’t pay me any attention as I join him at the vanity.

My side brushes against his, but he doesn’t move.

I steal his toothpaste, waiting for a reaction, but he continues to ignore me. As I brush my teeth, I jerk my elbow around, hitting him a few times. The man doesn’t even flinch.

When he’s finished, he takes a step back.

I do the same, not even concerned about my skin-care routine for the night.

“Come on,” he instructs. “Time for bed.”

As if his voice is a trance, I follow him.

My phone is no longer on the floor. I’m sure the thief stole it while I was in the shower.

The bedroom has dark gray walls, and deep chocolate-brown bookshelves line one wall. Half the shelves are filled with books.

There’s a framed photo of Emilio with his mother and sister. A long dresser, the same wood as the bookshelf, runs along the wall opposite the bed. A few bottles of cologne are on there.

“Do I need to handcuff you to me tonight, or will you keep your ass in bed?” he asks.

“I’ll stay in bed.” I hold up three fingers in a Scout’s honor sign.

“I’m a light sleeper,” he warns.

“You’resleeping in here too?” I don’t know why my brain didn’t put two and two together before this. It was too clouded at the sight of him naked.

“It’s my bedroom, and I don’t trust you.” He signals for me to get in bed.

I pull back the covers and slip underneath the crisp gray sheets. He doesn’t move, only stands on the other side.

I turn my back to him, then face him, then turn my back to him before peering over my shoulder, seeing him still standing there. He’s lurking like I did when he was showering.

“I don’t like you staring over me.” I dramatically shudder. “It’s creep city.”

“And I don’t like you being a runaway hazard, but here we are, Liliya.” He turns on the bedside lamp, punches a code into the nightstand, and opens a drawer.

I blink as he pulls out a silver MacBook, then heads to the door to switch off the ceiling light. He strolls across the room, sits in the corner chair, and opens his MacBook. All I hear next is thetap-tap-tapof his fingers hitting the keys.

I flip on my side to face him. “Can I go get my laptop?”

He stops typing. “No.”

“Why do you get yours then?” I huff out, tightening the gray comforter around me as cold air suddenly hits my body.

“Go. To. Sleep.”

“Jerk,” I mutter under my breath before turning my back to him again.