SIXTEEN
We turnedthe bath into a shower and cleaned ourselves off after that. I discovered just how difficult it was to get cake and frosting out of my hair (incredibly difficult), and Zed pretty much just watched me with a sexy smirk that made me want to punch him or kiss him.
Or maybe both.
After we were clean, Zed headed downstairs to heat up some food while I stepped into my room to change. Everything I had with me was still in my carry-on, and still dirty because I’d been hiding away for so long. I contemplated going in the other room and stealing one of Zed’s shirts, but that felt… girlfriendy.
Though technically, I had just agreed to be his girlfriend.
I wasn’t sure whether to cringe or grin at the thought.
The towel was still around me as I paced the room a couple times, trying to make up my mind. Usually, I was pretty decisive, but all of the mate and girlfriend stuff was new and went against every rule I’d made for myself.
I didn’t hate that, though.
Not at all.
It was just… weird.
There was a quick knock before Zed peered into the room. “You okay in here?”
I opened my mouth to say I was fine… and then closed it.
What was the point in lying to him? It wouldn’t offend him if I asked to wear his clothes, would it? I hadn’t seen any reason to think it would, at all.
Finally, I admitted. “All of my clothes are dirty. I was kind of hiding in here for the last few weeks.”
His lips curved upward, slightly. “Kind of?”
“Shut up.” I swatted a hand toward him half-heartedly, but he dodged it easily, lips stretching in a grin.
“Are you asking me to lend you some clothes, or if I’m comfortable with you coming to bed naked?”
“Asshole,” I shot back, putting a hand on my towel-encased hip.
He laughed. “You’re gorgeous.” Turning, he left the door open as he crossed the hall, heading back to his room. As he walked, he called out, “The answer is an easy yes to both, July.”
Damn him.
I blew a puff of air at the damp chunk of hair in my eyes. It didn’t budge, but it made me feel slightly better.
He added, when he was in his room and out of my view, “I’ll throw your laundry in after we eat. Come sit with me.”
I couldn’t turn down the food… and I didn’t want to.
I’d never liked all the sweat that accompanied sleeping naked, so I held the towel to my chest as I hesitantly crossed the hall after him. Stopping before I made it all the way into the room, I leaned against the door frame and studied him.
He wore a pair of dark gray sweats that held tight to those gorgeous calves of his, and nothing else. His long, damp hair fell around his shoulders, already smooth and untangled, and he sat with his legs sprawled out in front of him.
Shit, he was gorgeous.
And according to him, mine.
I was still skeptical of that, but if it was true… damn.
Zed shot me a small grin. “Not so sure about this?”
“What gave me away?” I fiddled with the hair falling over my shoulder.