Page 56 of How to Deal
Zane sets me down in front of my door so I can unlock it.
“Go out with him!” they both scream.
With the sound, Tathan’s door opens. It’s like two in the morning so his hair is all messy and he’s wearing just a pair of shorts.
I want to attack him. Which is not good for me.
“What’s going on out here?” he asks, rubbing his beautiful eyes. His hair is all over the place, sticking up on one side as he lazily rubs his stomach. My eyes automatically dip south, and I think that’s by design. He wants my eyes down there.
All three of us are gawking at him, me more so, actually scratch that. . . I’d say Zane is giving him the biggest once-over, judging by the fact that he now has drool dripping from the corner of his mouth.
“Oh, hey, Amalie.” Tathan smirks and steps outside his apartment.
Zane and Casey push me forward and into him.
I, in turn, push Tathan inside his apartment and follow him. I’m sure Casey and Zane are on the other side of the door, listening.
We stare at each other for a few moments before he smiles. “Did you get my note?”
“Yes. Oliver liked the rose.”
His hand rises, and he scratches the back of his head, his eyes closing slowly and then reopening like he’s trying to stay awake. “I guess that’s a good thing then?”
I want to shake him and scream in his face, why are you so adorable?
“Oh, yes, flowers are good for his diet,” I tell him and lean back against the wall of his living room. I feel safe in here, and it makes me want to run away. “Keeps him regular and happy.”
His eyes are on the floor, but then he looks up at me and asks what I know he wants to know. “You didn’t know it was me that night, did you?”
“No,” I answer truthfully, and he nods once, his eyes sad. “I barely remember that night.”
Way to go. You made Tathan sad, you jerk.
“But it happened.”
“Spill the details then,” I tell him eventually, not wanting to waste any more time.
“What do you want to know?” He shifts his stance, crossing his arms over his chest, and yawns.
“We left together that night?”
“Yes.” He gives a nod. “I asked you out. You said no, but took me back to your apartment where you attacked me.”
“I’m sure.” He senses the sarcasm and gives a chuckle. “So when you moved in, you knew then?”
“Yes. . . but let me finish. You kicked me out after we had sex that night.” Tathan continues and takes a step toward me. “I didn’t see you again until I started with Madsen Construction. Imagine my surprise when I saw that you sat right next to me.”
“I’m sure.” My sarcasm is even thicker. “Now, why do you come into the office? Clearly, you don’t need to.”
“I told you. Because I get to see you every day that way.” His tongue darts out and licks his lower lip, shrugging. “You’re sexy.”
I ignore the sexy remark. “Why me?” I ask, watching the way he’s watching me. It makes me nervous. “You could have anyone.”
“I don’t want just anyone.”
“Okay.” I consider what Paul said and everything he’s been telling me. “So you’re not a manwhore.”
“Have youeverseen a girl at my apartment?” I shake my head, because I haven’t. “I haven’t slept with anyone since you.”
