Page 35

“If it’s folded, it’s clean. General rule with me.”

I plucked it out of the drawer. “I’ve got my pajamas.”

His smile was wide and heated. “My closet is your closet.”

“I might take you up on that.” Then I peeled off my leggings.

Lee choked.

My grin was sly at him, but I stepped into his boxers, pulled them up.

My shirt was whisked off next. Both items were dropped on the floor and I had no intention of picking them up, not until the morning. I tugged his shirt over my head, and as it swamped me, I reached inside and pulled off my bra next. That was tossed on the floor as well.

Lee’s gaze lingered on it, then freely roamed over me. His gaze was molten now. He held up his phone. “Smile.”

I gave him a peace sign and he smirked as his phone flashed. “God. That’s fucking hot.” He was staring at his phone before tucking it away. “You ready for bed?”

My nerves were a constant pitter-pattering on my sternum.

I’d never slept with a boy before. My mom and I had to share a bed a few times, but that was different.

“Um.” Back to being raspy. Nervous. “Let me go to the bathroom. Do you have a toothbrush I can use?”

“Oh, shit. Yeah. One second.” He disappeared from the room.

I released my breath, trying to smooth out some of my nerves. My phone buzzed, but I felt a sudden shift in the air.

I wasn’t surprised to see Noah in the bedroom when I stepped out of the closet.

He had a set expression on his face, like this was inevitable and not welcomed. “Girls like his looks, and his wealth, and that he will play in the NHL very soon, and they fall. They fall hard, but he lies to them.”

I raised my chin. “Like he’s lying to me?”

He didn’t respond, not right away. “A lie of omission is still a lie.”

My gut dropped. “What does that mean?”

“You’ll figure it out, and when you do, I don’t know if you’re going to be madder at him or yourself.”

“What?” But he was gone and Lee was coming back into the room, brandishing a new toothbrush, still in its wrapping.

“My mom keeps these for all my buddies if they crash here.” He handed it over, frowning as he drew closer. “You okay?” He glanced around the room. “Was Noah here?”

I shook my head. “It’s—it’s nothing.” I had enough of my own disturbing thoughts in my head. I didn’t need to let a ghost add to them. Besides, I tried to tell myself, I couldn’t forget the inevitable that this was just a ‘thing’. The three of us weren’t dating. It wasn’t like that. Just physical and hanging out. Enjoying each other.

Right?

I went to the bathroom and got ready for bed. Lee had darkened the room except for a light on the bedside stand. He was waiting, sitting on the bed in boxer briefs and nothing else, with all those muscles on display for me, and the uncertainty on his face cinched something in me.

Maybe he was holding something back. But, my God, who was I to judge? This was day one and he knew I could speak to ghosts.

Enjoy it while it lasts. That was my mom’s voice in my head, but I couldn’t deny that my own voice mingled with hers. This wouldn’t last, whatever this was that we were doing. No matter how pretty Cassian’s words were, I would be homeless in a week and no one would want me then. That, I didn’t doubt for a second.

“Ready?” Lee asked, huskily.

I nodded, silent, and padded barefoot to the bed. Glancing at the nightstand, he had plugged my phone into a charger. Remembering it had buzzed earlier, I went over to check it. Lee lay on the other side of the bed, but he didn’t pull the blankets up.

Unknown: This is the thought of what you and Lee are probably going to be doing tonight.