Ignoring his taunts, I point out the painfully obvious. “Evan, you do know that this shower is larger than my studio apartment, right?”
Evan laughs. “Unfortunately, I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting your apartment. Which reminds me, you’ve now seen two of my homes and I’ve yet to visit yours. We should rectify that once we get back to the city.” He rubs his jaw while trying to hide the start of a smile.
“Not happening. But since I’m here …” I giggle. “In honor of tradition, it’s time for me to snoop, oops, I meanseeyour room. I mean we are neighbors here, right? Seems like the neighborly thing to do,” I say as I sneak past him and speed walk across the hall to open his bedroom door, but he stops me before I can turn the handle.
“Well look who’s referencingthe night in question. Seems like you’re so readily able to break your own ground rules, interesting,” he murmurs into my ears. “So, here’s how this is going to go. You’re free to snoop, as long as you understand that there is no kicking me out of my bed this time. If you feel the urge to sleep in my bed, it is with the understanding that it is with me in it. Got it?” he says sternly.
“Pfft. Don’t flatter yourself,” I say as I start to push the door open, but he stops me again.
“Amelia, I’m serious. Do you understand?” His eyes were more serious than playful this time. Where is this coming from?
“Jeez yeah, okay I understand. Big guy shall not be kicked out of his bed. No worries, I have no intention of having a sleepover with you anyways. Capeesh?” I roll my eyes.
Evan nods, then waves dramatically. His playful side coming back to the forefront.
Moody much?
I take a step inside and marvel at the impeccably-decorated bedroom. His bed, which seems even bigger than a California king, is settled between a moss-colored four poster canopy bed frame. The wall behind his bed is covered with wallpaper with intricate black and gold lines. The walls have a sleek wood paneling that definitely gives off more of a cabin vibe. There is also a reading nook by the bay windows that overlook what seems like endless miles of snow.
There are also two black night stands with gold lamps on each of them, which reminds me of my past mischief.
“This room is beautiful Evan,” I say as I make my way towards his bed. He raises an eyebrow, but I ignore him and take a seat on his bed, right by his night stand. “Oh wow, and your bed is so comfortable too, would you look at that,” I say.
“Amelia, do we need to go over the no swapping bed rules again?” he asks with a slight annoyance in his tone.
“Nope, just being thorough, per usual.” I wink at him, then lean over and open his nightstand drawer. I jump to my feet when I see what is inside. “What the hell?! Evan Cooper you have a box of condoms in your nightstand! I thought you said you’ve just moved in!” I yell.
Evan smirks and slowly makes his way towards me. Walking like a predator stalking its prey. “Yes Amelia. That is a box of condoms. Unopened, might I add.” He takes the box from my hands and puts it back in the nightstand drawer. “Since the last time you went through my personal belongings, I learned a valuable lesson. To always be prepared. For either sex or a nosey Amelia Nuñez, never quite sure which one these days,” he mocks.
“Just to be clear, I don’t care that you have condoms. Good for you! What I’m confused about is the fact that this is a family friendly vacation. With children carajo!” I exclaim.
“Relax Amelia, like I said, just taking your advice of always being prepared. No families will be harmed in my safe sex readiness.” He deadpans.
“Cool. Right. Good to know.” I clear my throat and put some much needed distance between us. “Just taking your penis protection duties seriously I guess.” I nod.
What the fuck did I just say???
“Anywho.” I fake yawn. “Wow, that midday wine is really hitting me now. Plus, that was a really long drive, so I’m just going to lie down for a bit and take a cat nap. Cool? Ok cool. See you later,” I say as I hook my thumb over my shoulder, then quickly book it to my room.
I don’t even give Evan a second glance, but I can feel his gaze boring a hole into the back of my head.
Once inside my room I quickly close the door and release a big sigh as I lean against the door. What the hell was that all about? I’m pretty sure the Berkshires aren’t in the mountains, so I can’t blame our weird interactions on the altitude.
I fling myself on the bed and release a soft moan when I feel how comfortable this bed is. I don’t really need a nap, just time to figure out if Evan is flirting with me. Flirting? No. Making sexually suggestive innuendos, for sure. He must be playing some kind of game. He knew I would snoop and made sure to have condoms in his nightstand this time.
OH MY GOD, DID HE BUY THOSE CONDOMS TO USE WITH ME?! Wait, no. Of course not, calm your tits woman. Keep it together!
It must be payback for purposely giving the man blue balls. We’re just having your regular run of the mill banter. Yeah, that’s it. The kind that includes me stripping down to my underwear and him providing condoms while we’re home alone in his kajillion dollar mansion. Totes normal.
Yeah okay, maybe not.
But what’s with the pet names? Sweetheart? Honey? And the whole kissing my hand bit? What’s he getting at?
I let my mind spin endlessly with the possibilities of what is going on between Evan and me. Without realizing it, I doze off into a deep slumber with thoughts ofwhat ifswirling around in my mind. And just like I’ve done hundreds of times before, I fall asleep dreaming of Evan Cooper.
22
Evan
