Page 29 of Getting Down to Business

“Fun? Fun because you would get sex and breakfast whenever you want it? Would I be like a slave for room and board?”

His head snapped back and he looked insulted.

“No. You would pay your rent with actual money, not services rendered. That’s real nice, Liss.” He frowned at her.

Why had she given him permission to call her Liss? She liked it too much.

“Sorry.” She apologized for the low blow, but certainly if she’d thought it, other people would too.

“Just forget it. Move back to Albany.” He made a wide sweep of his hand. “I was just trying to help.”

“I’m really sorry. I appreciate your offer, I do. But I don’t think you’ve thought it through. I don’t do things like this. I’m all about fun and no bullshit, remember? And I think you’re looking for something more.”

He pressed her back against the wall and bent to look her right in the eyes.

“No bullshit, Alyssa. I want you to move in here because I think it would be fun. If you don’t want to do the sex thing, we can simply be roommates. It’s an empty room. I need to fill it; you need a place to live. Take it.”

“And the price you gave me is what you would charge anyone else?” It seemed too reasonable.

“Yes. It also includes water.” He winked at her.

“You’re really serious about this?” she asked as excitement began flooding her system unwittingly.

“I’m an accountant. We think every minor detail to death.”

“And I would just be your roommate? Nothing more?”

“Nothing more.”

“And we won’t let it turn into a romantic comedy? We are vowing not to have sex with each other if we become roommates?” Kenley had seemed sure if they continued to have sex he would expect more. While she knew she was invulnerable to such things, she didn’t want to be put in a position where she had to hurt his feelings. And then lose her home. Again.

He looked up at the ceiling for a second.

“Just so I’m clear, why would we not be having the sex anymore?”

“Because people who live together and have sex are in a relationship. People who live together without sex or romantic ties are roommates.”

“I see.” He nodded. “My other roommate and I used to hang out, watch movies and things. Would that be acceptable?”

“I could probably do that.” Kenley hadn’t warned her about any of those things. She let the smile take over her face. “I can cook.”

“We can share that job.”

She thought of living there—a real apartment, with windows and an elevator. He had a washer and dryer, and real doors and bedrooms. Plus it was only four blocks from where she worked. All of it would be amazing on its own, but the best thing about the apartment was still standing in the doorway watching her reaction.

Grayson.

She had a lot of fun hanging out with him. Would that change? Would he still want more than friendship even if they didn’t have sex? Would he get sick of her and kick her out?

Even if that happened, she would be no worse off than she was at the moment. At least this arrangement would buy her a little more time.

“Okay, but I have some questions,” she said.

“Of course, I expected as much. Let’s hear them.” Gray smiled at ease.

“Since we won’t be sleeping with each other, how do you want to handle guests?”

“We each have our own room. Guests shouldn’t be an issue, so long as you don’t bring home some loser who steals my TV.”