during her entire business trip. When she woke up this
morning, back in her own bed, she even fantasized about
finding him next to her. But now, standing before his door,
a small sense of reluctance reemerged. There was
something vaguely unsettling about O.E. For example, the
mere fact that he was so desperate for housing that he was
willing to take a month at Dan's place. What would he do
after that? Would Dan let him stay or would he be out on
the street?
As much as O.E.'s approach to life annoyed her, she
knew that as soon as she saw him, she would fall under his
spell. The man was so captivating. She remembered that
kiss and involuntarily touched her lips, still able to feel the
heat. Before she could deliberate further, she rang the bell.
O.E. opened the door and beamed at her. He was
dressed casually, too-barefoot, with shorts and a torn T-shirt
that closely followed the lines of his tall and, let's face
it, super muscular frame. That square but broken jaw was
no longer bandaged, and she could see the bruise on his
chin. Other than that, he looked pretty much the same as
when they first met. He looked amazing.
Rebecca took a few seconds to slow her heart. She tried
not to think about his lips-she would take this one step at
a time. Good thing she hadn't dressed up.
O.E. wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her
into the living room. As if it would protect her, she raised
the bag of food to show him. He sniffed it and smiled.
"Smells good."
"Your favorite: spicy lamb ragout from Alimentary."
O.E. frowned and dropped his head. "Can't chew it."
"Oh come on, O.E. I already figured that part out. I had
them blend it for you."
O.E. lit up and threw his other arm around her, giving
her a hug. "You're the best!" She hugged him back, burying
her face in his chest and inhaling his crisp lemon scent.
This guy was so ripped that she could feel his muscles flex
as he held her tight. Suddenly, O.E. let go of her and took
the bag of food. "Right this way!" He crossed the living
room and entered the kitchen.
Rebecca followed, exploring Dan's place as she went.
The living room was spacious but simple, warmly lit with
two sofas wrapped around a large coffee table. Artwork
adorned the walls, but she couldn't stop to examine the
pieces because O.E. had left the room. She followed him