Chapter 7

I thought that was the end of it.

But to my surprise, two days later, Hank showed up at my place.

I'd gotten off work and was heading home when I spotted a familiar figure lurking around downstairs.

My stomach dropped. I tried to duck away, but it was too late.

"Laura!" Hank's face lit up, and he hurried over, flashing what he probably thought was a winning smile. "I asked your mom for your address. Thought I'd come check on you."

I felt a wave of dread wash over me.

"Mr. Warner, I already told you we're not a good match." I kept my voice polite but cool.

But it was like he didn't hear a thing I said.

"Feelings grow over time," he insisted. "You shouldn't live alone. Move in with me. I'll take care of you."

As he spoke, he tried to grab my arm.

I stepped back quickly. "Mr. Warner, keep your hands to yourself."

His expression shifted. The fake gentleman act dropped, replaced by something uglier. "Don't play dumb, Laura. You should be grateful I'm interested."

Just as things were getting tense, the door behind me suddenly opened.

Eric appeared in the doorway.

He'd finished showering, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, his hair still dripping wet.

His sculpted chest, sharp eight-pack abs, and those irresistible V-lines crashed into my view out of nowhere.

My face suddenly went hot. I could feel the heat rising all over.

Eric didn't seem to notice how flustered I was. He lifted his eyelids lazily and shot Hank a casual glance.

Then, he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close.

I crashed into his solid chest, warm skin, that clean soap smell, something distinctly him. My heart went haywire.

"Who's this?" Eric's voice was low, edged with something dangerous. His eyes locked on Hank with a look that could cut glass.

His hand, hot to the touch, clamped down on my shoulder in a possessive grip, leaving no doubt that he wasn't about to let anyone question his claim.

Hank was stunned by the sudden turn of events.

He sized Eric up, his eyes burning with jealousy and frustration. "Wh-who are you?"

Eric let out a low chuckle, his voice laced with obvious disdain. "You want to know who I am?"

He dipped his head, lips nearly brushing my ear. "Go on, baby. Tell him."

That "baby" hit me like a surge of electricity, sparking through every nerve in my body.

My knees almost gave out.

I pulled myself together, lifted my chin, and met Hank's stunned, splotchy face. "He's my boyfriend."

I felt Eric's arm around me tighten possessively, pulling me even closer.

Hank's face went purple. "No way. Your mom said you were single."

Eric raised an eyebrow, looking at Hank like he was something stuck to his shoe. "Guess her parents haven't gotten the memo."

His voice dropped, turning icy. "Here's what matters: my girlfriend doesn't like being hassled by strangers.

"Especially not by some wannabe in a fake designer shirt who smells like a department store counter and looks like he hasn't washed his hair since last winter.

"You're not just embarrassing yourself. You're lowering the property value.

"Now get lost. Before I call security to haul out the trash."

Every word Eric threw out was like a poisoned knife, cutting right into Hank's ego.

Hank's face cycled through shades of pale and sickly green. His mouth opened and closed, but nothing came out.

Finally, he jabbed a finger at me, trying to be tough, but his voice cracked. "Fine! You'll regret this, Laura!"

Then he turned and practically ran.

With the crisis over, I finally breathed easy and tried to slip out of Eric's embrace, but he wasn't letting me go.

I looked up, straight into those unreadable eyes.

He gazed down at me, something flickering there I couldn't name.