Adam's List(69)

“That would be a waste,” I say. “It’d be a much better plan to have tons of parties to make her jealous.”

“Yeah? You guys want to come over tonight and hang out? I can order in some of the city’s best pizza from around the corner. Looks like you already have drinks, so...” His eyes lower, lazily passing my low-cut tank top to the beer in my hand before continuing down to my legs. “Come over, if you’re up for it.”

“We’d love to,” I answer quickly.

While I don’t miss the way he’s undressing me with his eyes or the suggestive tone to his voice, I’m ready to do anything to avoid alone time with Adam in the brownstone.

I’m not in the mood to revisit why he’s mad I “took advantage of him” in the bus.

“Yeah, okay,” Adam chimes in a second too late.

Theo’s eyes don’t leave mine. “Let me jump in the shower. You guys can either wait for me out back, or—”

I nod eagerly. Probably a little too eagerly since my mind is still wrapped around the vision of him standing naked in the shower with water rolling down his broad chest. Just because he’s not my type doesn’t mean I wouldn’t enjoy the view. “We’ll wait there.

Sounds perfect.”

“Awesome!” He touches the back of my arm, guiding me to his gate before holding it open for us. I feel his stare on my backside as Adam and I descend the stairs to the lower level brownstone.

Theo’s place has a similar layout to our rental, although his furniture looks brand new, there’s a ton of upscale artwork on the walls, his floors are a beautiful dark hardwood, and his counters are tan granite beneath mahogany cupboards. It looks as if a designer—or his ex-girlfriend—decorated the place, considering it’s extremely tasteful.

Then again, this is New York. Theo could be classy enough to have done it himself. I’m just accustomed to men who think a deer head and neon beer signs constitute good decorating.

Theo leads us into the living room area, pointing at the patio door. “Make yourself at home out there. I’ll be done in fifteen.”

As soon as he leaves, Adam darts out the patio door, his face tight with tension. I step past him to the first large couch, sinking into the batch of pillows and taking a long swig of my beer.

“This backyard kicks ass,” I say, ignoring his spiraling mood. “I’m pretty sure I could handle a life like this. Can you imagine this home? Hanging out back here every night, living in a city where there’s literally something going on twenty-four hours a day?”

Adam shifts the beer from one arm to another, glancing back into the brownstone.

“Maybe you could see if Theo’s looking for a roommate.”

I roll my eyes. “No need to be jealous. I thought it’d be fun to see what the night brings. For all we know, the guy could be running Wall Street. Someone on TripAdvisor said these brownstones run from three to five million. Mark this night down as part of your adventure.” Emptying my beer, I stand to take the box from Adam. “Sit down and relax. I’m going to put these in the fridge.”

His eyes lock with mine when I reach for the beer. “Jewels,” he whispers, pleading.

His fingers brush against the back of my hand. “We still need to talk. You can’t keep avoiding me like this.”

My heart races with his touch. I want to kiss him and tell him I’m sorry. I want to break down and beg him to tell me his secret. Instead I take the box and head inside.

As I slip into the spotless kitchen, I hear the shower running. I’m surprised to find the fridge overflowing with fruits, veggies, and a ton of healthy stuff. “What, no energy drinks and power bars?” I mutter, shifting things around to make room.

Once I’ve jammed the box on a shelf and have grabbed another beer, I shut the door and head back to the hallway. I catch movement in the bedroom and turn to see a freshly showered Theo passing by.

Completely naked.

He stops dead center in the door frame, smirking. Pleased I caught him. “Oh, hey. I didn’t hear you come in.”

I give him credit for not acting embarrassed or surprised, though there isn’t a single reason for him to be anything other than proud. He’s every bit as muscular and large from head to...toe. Each individual stomach muscle can be counted, and ready to cut glass. The intricate tattoo covering his ripe shoulder continues down to his smooth pectoral muscles, dipping all the way down to his pelvic region where his deep tan continues on. As in, he tans in the nude.

I feel my jaw drop and hear myself inhale sharply, but I’m really not aware how intensely I’m staring at how hard he’s become as we stand drinking each other in.