The American Roommate Experiment (Spanish Love Deception #2)(63)

His hands came over mine, sending a sharp flare of electricity up my arms.

“Thanks,” I told him quietly, letting him take over control of my motions. “Some words,” I answered just so I wouldn’t think of his warm palms pressed against the back of my much smaller hands. “Not many with Olly and everything. But some. Definitely some. I’m…”

His strong fingers intertwined with mine for a moment, distracting me.

“You’re what?” He pressed.

Our fingers worked the dough in circular motions, and I had to clear my throat. “Starting to feel the inspiration.”

Lucas moved our hands to the counter, resting them on both sides of the stretched dough.

“Just so you know, I’m dying to hear all the details about Officer Burns’s best friend.”

Officer Burns? Hold on. Did that mean that Lucas had—

“Have you read my first book?” I blurted out.

“I’m a thorough man,” he said, repeating his earlier words, not answering my question. “And I won’t ask about the second until you’re done. I don’t want to jinx what we’re doing here.”

I wrinkled my nose, not thinking about Lucas reading the steamy scenes of the book but focusing instead on how happy it made me to hear he was that invested in this. In me. In my writing. My books. I’d been so busy trying to protect myself from what anyone could say, writing in secret, hiding behind a pen name, that I hadn’t shared this with anybody but Lina. And I… God, I loved how it felt hearing that this man cared. “Jinx it, huh? You’re superstitious?”

“I’d love to say no, but I’d rather bite my arm off than walk under a ladder.”

A laugh burst out of me.

He froze, as if the sound had caught him off guard. Then, I felt more than heard him exhale through his nose before finally stepping away, leaving me a little unbalanced without the safety of his hands on mine.

“So…” I trailed off, recovering as best as I could. “What toppings are we using?”

“We have a little bit of everything. But I want you to be creative.”

“Creativity hasn’t been my strong suit lately.”

“Rosie,” he said in a way that made me look over at him, “I believe in you. I’m Team Rosie, remember?”

I smiled to myself, reveling in how good, how confident, hearing that made me feel. Then, I reached for a few slices of some cured sausage and worked in silence for a while.

“I know this is not exactly date—experimental date—night talk, but I’ve been meaning to tell you that Mr. Allen called this morning.”

“The Psycho Landlord?” Lucas grunted.

His reaction made something in my belly tumble. “He said the contractor might take some additional time to finish.”

Lucas didn’t say anything, not right away. Then he sighed. “You’re right, this is not date night talk.”

Nodding my head, I took a few more slices of the sausage. “I know, but I just wanted to say how grateful I am for you letting me stay in Lina’s place with you and that if this is turning into too much, I could still look for someplace else. Just say the word.”

He seemed to think about his answer. “You’re comfortable staying with me.”

My hand halted in the air. “Of course, I am.”

“And if there’s something that bothers you, you will tell me.” He held up a piece of juicy mozzarella. “This will complement the finocchiona you’ve picked.” He shredded it with his fingers roughly. “Even if it’s me snoring.”

“You don’t snore.”

“Or me being a little chaotic in the kitchen. Or the music I play when I’m cooking. You’d tell me, right?”

He was ridiculous. “Lucas, it’s you, the one sleeping on a couch when you were promised a complete studio apartment. Bed included.” I shook my head, observing my work. “Meanwhile, I have a handsome man cooking delicious, five-star meals for me every night of the week. Why would I ever be uncomfortable?”

“Hmm, okay,” Lucas said, seemingly appeased. “And I’m also happy to hear you think I’m all that handsome and irresistible.”

Oh, dammit. That had totally slipped.

I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t say anything about being irresistible.”

“Ahem.”

“And it’s not like you didn’t know you’re handsome.” Or irresistible.

I glanced to my left to find him leaning on his side, his arms crossed in front of his chest casually, his gaze on me. In fact, he looked like he’d been done with his pizza for a long time.

Without thinking too much about it, I said, “You’ve dated plenty.” I used his own words. “All those girls must have told you you’re handsome.”

He shrugged. “You’ve been my first date in a long time so maybe I needed the reminder.”

Experimental date, I felt the need to correct him. Even if only for myself.

I searched his face. “You never said why you’re not dating anymore.”

“It’s not something I can focus on right now.”

“Because of your career as a pro?”

Lucas hesitated, and I watched a shadow cross his features. “Something like that.”