Rm w/a Vu(30)

It doesn’t seem to matter that I just met him and I’m fresh out of a relationship, my stomach clenches and my heart aches when I’m reminded that Greyston is in a serious relationship. I must be hiding it well, though. “Of course. I’ll walk you to the door.”

After he puts his jacket on, I open the door for him. “I’ll see you this weekend?” I remind him.

He nods once. “Definitely. Remember to call if you need a hand moving…or anything else.”

Anything? I wonder silently before slapping my presumptuous inner-monologue into submission. “I will. Thanks.” Greyston turns and takes the first couple of steps away from me. “Greyston?” He faces me once more, curious. “Have a good night.”

His smile widens. “You, too, Juliette.”

After standing in the doorway and watching Greyston drive away for a change, I close and lock the door before retiring to my room for the night.





Chapter 9



The sunlight streams through the windows, drawing me from a content sleep. Slowly, I open my eyes, squinting against the bright light that bathes my room. At first, I find myself confused by the pale blue walls and fluffy white duvet I’m nestled under, but then I smile and prop myself up on my elbows as I look around my new digs. Even from my bed, I can see a portion of the desert through my balcony doors, and I still can’t believe this will be what I get to wake up to every morning.

Kicking my blankets off, I twist and climb out of bed, stretching tall as I make my way past the three boxes I decided not to unpack last night in favor of sleep after a long day. I open the French doors, letting the warmth of the morning sun wash over me as I step out onto the stone balcony and breathe in the fresh air. Just as it was the last time I was standing in this very spot, the desert is breathtaking.

Of course, then I look down, and I truly understand the meaning of that expression.

Greyston is swimming lengths in the pool, his sinewy muscles move with each stroke of his arms. Unable to look away, I lean on the railing and continue to ogle him from afar.

I’m not naïve enough to think that our arrangement won’t be a little awkward in the beginning. Not necessarily for him, but for me. I’ve got a huge crush on him, and I can’t do anything about it except maybe wait to see if it passes.

Until the day that happens, though, I’m going to enjoy the view my new room comes with to its fullest extent.

I straighten up quickly when he reaches the side of the pool and looks up to find me gawking. I’m hoping he can’t see just how hard I was staring. However, considering the second level isn’t that far up, I’m extremely doubtful.

“Hey!” he calls up, offering me a wave. “There’s coffee downstairs. Why don’t you grab a cup and come on out?”

I dash back into my room and pull on a pair of jeans and a fitted tee before brushing my teeth and hair and washing my face. I grab the check for first and last month’s rent from my dresser and head downstairs. Down in the kitchen, I find a fresh pot of coffee and pour myself a cup while I read and sign the rental agreement Greyston had left on the counter. After placing the check on the agreement, I head outside to find Greyston.

As I wander out from beneath the shade of the eave overhanging the dark stone patio, I see Greyston standing by the edge of the pool, running a towel over his head to dry his hair. His face is blocked by the blue terrycloth, but I’m not really focused on that part of his anatomy anyway; my eyes are far too interested in his strong arms, his chiseled chest and abs, and his muscular legs.

I’m pretty sure I’m going to melt into a puddle or spontaneously combust.

He drops the towel and begins to wipe the water droplets from his lightly tanned skin. “How was your sleep? Was the bed comfortable enough?”

Drawing my eyes away from his chest, I nod and walk toward him, taking a seat on one of the poolside chairs. “It was great. Thank you.” I take a sip of coffee and then look back up at him. “Yours?”

“I slept better last night than I have all week. I tend to have difficulty falling back into regular sleep patterns after returning home from a long trip,” he explains.

“Well, I’m glad you slept better last night.”

Greyston sits on the chair next to mine. “You work today?”

Nodding, I sit back on my chair and relax. “I do. It’s only a four-hour shift, though. I have a test to study for this weekend.”

“Anything I can help you with?”

While I’m certain he’s a very highly educated man, I decide to tease him a little. “I don’t know. I’m not exactly majoring in football.”