“Sounds healthy.”
He patted his flat stomach. “You tell me.”
I stirred the pot just so I had something to do. Knowing he was shirtless was incredibly distracting. I wanted to stare at him and really appreciate the sight. But I didn’t want to openly gawk at him either. “Get ready and dinner will be done.”
“I am ready.”
“Get rid of the towel.”
“Okay.” He dropped it on the floor.
I flinched when I realized what he just did. “You know what I meant.”
“Actually, I did exactly what you told me to do.” He gave me that arrogant grin that I hated and loved at the same time.
“Pick it up and cover yourself with it. Then go in your room and get dressed. Do exactly as I say.” I refused to look down at his goods even though I really wanted to.
“Come on, take a peek. He’s excited to see you.”
I turned my focus back to the pot so he wouldn’t see my red cheeks. “If I’d known I was going to be sexually assaulted, I would have stayed elsewhere.”
He sighed then picked up the towel. “Alright, Muffin.” He secured it around his waist before he walked down the hallway.
When I knew he was really gone, I released the air from my lungs. It took all my strength not to look, and now I regretted not taking a peek. Maybe I would run into him on accident sometime and get a glimpse then.
Actually, I shouldn’t be thinking about seeing him naked at all.
Hawke came back into the room a moment later. “I’m back—fully clothed.”
“Thank you.”
“Since you’re going to be living here for a while, I feel like I should tell you about Naked Wednesdays.”
I tried not to laugh. “Oh yeah?”
“Yep. All day is naked time.”
I finished preparing dinner and placed it on a platter. “Well, I’ll make sure I work a double on Wednesday.”
He sat down at the kitchen table. “Man, having a girl roommate is so boring.”
I set the table then sat across from him. “What were you expecting? Girls Gone Wild?”
He shrugged. “It wouldn’t have hurt.” He grabbed his fork and took a bite. His expression changed into one of satisfaction. “Damn, this is good, Muffin.”
“Thank you.”
He kept eating. “It’s so tender. Whenever I make stuff, I just burn it.”
“You don’t say.”
He ate everything on his plate then scarfed down the wine like water. “That’s the best dinner I’ve ever had.”
“Your mom didn’t cook for you?”
The mention of his family made him noticeably stiffen. “Not as well as you.” He rose from the table and gathered the plates and immediately began washing them in the sink.
“What are you doing?”
“The dishes. What does it look like I’m doing?”
I’d never seen a guy voluntarily help around the house. Yaya had to threaten to spank Axel to get him to do anything. “At least your mom taught you to clean up after yourself.”
He stacked everything in the dishwasher then turned it on. “Thank you for dinner.”
“You’re welcome.” He joked around sometimes, but underneath that persona, he was very sweet.
“When are you going to do my laundry?” The smile in his eyes told me he was kidding.
“I’d throw your clothes out the window before I would resort to that.”
“I guess I’ll hide my clothes then…”
I left the table and joined him in the kitchen. “So…do you need to work?” He usually went to the coffee shop and worked on his stuff there but he was home today.
“I’ll do it later.”
“You don’t have to baby me. I understand you have things to do.”
“Baby you?” He released a faint chuckle. “You aren’t the kind of girl that needs to be babied.”
I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Want to watch TV? The Yankees are playing.”
I stuck my tongue out at him.
“Hey, they’re a good team.”
“Full of traitors.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m sick of hearing this…I’m watching it. You can either watch it with me or go bake something.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
He shrugged. “It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.”
***
After I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and changed into my pajamas, I walked into his bedroom. The bed was made like it was done by a professional, and a clean towel had been placed on the dresser.
“The door locks.” Hawke came up behind me and showed me the door handle. “If that helps you sleep better.”
“Why would that help me sleep better?” It was an odd thing to say.
He held my gaze and his eyes changed noticeably. A million thoughts went through his mind but all I saw was a blur. “Some people are just like that.” He turned away like he didn’t want me to see his face. “Good night.”
“Wait.”
Hawke turned back around. “Yeah?”
“You should get the bed. You’re the one who lives here.”
His eyebrows scrunched up in protest. “No. You’re my guest.”
“I’m not going to put you on the couch for a week. I’m the one crashing here.” That didn’t sound fair to me. “Honestly, I don’t mind.”