Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 24935 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24935 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
So, without overthinking it, I hurry back to my bathroom, blow out my candle, gather my hair stuff, razor, soap, hair wrap, and then grab some clothes before rushing back over to Zeke’s place. True to his word, the door is open, so I walk right in and head straight for the guest bathroom.
But the water isn’t on there.
“Where are you?” I call out.
“My room,” he calls back.
The main bathroom is already steamy from the shower when I walk in.
“I can use your guest bath.”
“This one is better,” he says with a shrug. “Bigger shower. Take your time.”
He moves to pat me on the shoulder just as I turn, and rather than my shoulder, his hand lands right on my boob.
“Sorry,” he says, jumping back. “I didn’t mean—sorry.”
He hurries out the door, closes it, and leaves me wondering what in the ever-loving hell just happened.
Zeke never fumbles or seems unsure of himself. If anything, he’s a cocky, arrogant ass. But one accidental touch of my breast, and he fumbles away?
Talk about a shot to my ego.
I drop my towel and step into the blessedly hot water. Then, deciding to start fresh, I rinse off completely and begin with my hair.
It takes four shampoos until glitter no longer runs down the drain, and when I finally have the conditioner on, I turn my attention to my legs.
I forgot my shaving cream, so I use Zeke’s. The smell of him fills the steamy room, making my stomach clench. How is it that he annoys the crap out of me, yet I want to climb him like a damn tree all at the same time?
Finally, feeling warm and clean, I turn off the water and wrap my hair to dry. I reach for my towel that I dropped on the floor, but then I realize that Zeke set out a fresh one for me and decide to use that one.
Once I’m dry and dressed, my hair still in its wrap, I emerge from the bathroom feeling a million times better and find Zeke in the kitchen, stirring something in a mug.
“I made this for you,” he says, holding out the steaming cup. His eyes don’t quite meet mine.
“What is it?”
“Hot chocolate.”
“Thank you.” I accept the offering and take a sip, then blink in surprise. “This didn’t come out of a packet.”
“No, ma’am. Melted it on the stove.”
“You know how to make real hot chocolate?”
“Learned from my grandma,” he confirms and sips from his own mug. “Did you have fun tonight?”
“I always have fun at Annabelle’s Halloween party. It’s the event of the year, you know.”
“I’ve heard. This was my first one.”
“Did you like it?”
“It was pretty amazing,” he confirms. “But it seemed like most of the town was there. What do the kids do for trick-or-treating?”
“There are different events for them in town, usually earlier in the evening so their parents can go to Annabelle’s party.” I take a sip, delighting in the sweet warmth. “Work is going to suck for me tomorrow. I’m already dreading it.”
I blow out a breath as Zeke tilts his head, watching me. “I’ve lived across from you all this time, and I don’t know what you do for a living.”
“We don’t usually have civil conversations.” I shrug one shoulder as if it doesn’t matter. “I’m a preschool teacher, and I work the early shift. I have to be there by six-thirty so parents who go in early can drop their kids off before they head in.”
“Damn, that’s early.”
“Why do you think I hate loud music at night?”
He nods slowly. “Makes sense. From now on, I promise to shut it down by nine.”
I snort and set my now-empty mug in the sink. “Thanks for your help tonight. I’ll take your towel home and wash it.”
“Appreciate it,” he says, watching as I gather my things in my arms. “Want me to come have a look at your water heater?”
“Oh, you don’t have to.” I wave him off, ready to go home. I’m not sure how to handle Zeke when we’re not sparring with each other.
“I’m pretty handy with those kinds of things,” he says as he slips his feet into a pair of sneakers. “But it’s your heater. Your call.”
Honestly, if it saves me from spending several hundred dollars, I’ll take all the help I can get. I don’t have a new hot water heater in my budget right now.
“If you don’t mind, I would appreciate it if you’d have a look.”
He grins and sets his mug in the sink beside mine, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. “I don’t mind. This is what I’m made for. Let’s do it.”
I lead the way over to my place and key in the code to unlock the door. I don’t have to tell Zeke where the heater is since it’s in the same spot in his condo. I busy myself putting my things away, dropping the towels into the washing machine but not starting it. Then I join Zeke at the hot water heater in the hallway closet.