Page 41 of Faking it For Summer

“Oh, I’m not sleeping in this.” He laughs, undoes all the buttons on his shirt, and takes it off, so he’s now standing there shirtless.

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen Luke shirtless. And not even the first time I’ve seen him shirtless in a bedroom, but it has never felt like this before.

“What are you sleeping in then?” I pick up the phone, ready to press the room service button so I don’t have to look at him. It’s not that I don’t want to look at him, but I don’t want to ogle him.

Luke has gone and gotten himself a lean, muscular physique over the last couple of years. He is built, has a six-pack, and my brain is appreciating them far too much. I feel like a sad sack, staring at my best friend like that. I suppose it is the consequence of not having a boyfriend for ages.

“I was going to sleep naked.”

“What?” My tone is loud. “Ain’t no way you’re sleeping naked, Luke.”

“But I’ll be on the couch. It’s not like I’ll accidentally touch you with all my naked bits and pieces.”

“I said I’ll take the couch, but if you want the couch, I don’t mind taking the bed. It looks comfy.”

“It sure does.” He eyes me. “Remember when we shared a bed as teens, and no one had to take the couch? And we’d watch movies and fall asleep telling stories, and then in the morning you’d wake me up by hitting me with a pillow.”

“We didn’t share the bed that often, but yes.”

“I think best friends can share a bed and not worry about it, don’t you?”

“Really, Luke?” I place my hands on my hips. “Is this your way of saying you don’t think anyone should be on the couch?”

“This is my way of saying we’ve slept in beds together, plenty of times. Why not on this trip as well?”

Because you’ve never looked this sexy before.

“You can sleep in the bed with me. It’s large enough, and we can build a pillow fort between us.”

“A pillow fort?” His lip twitches. “What is the fort keeping in or out?” He stands up and walks over to the large French door and opens it. He steps out onto the balcony, and I follow behind him. We both take in the ocean in the distance and the swaying fronds of the palm trees that run down the side of the property. It’s a beautiful night.

“I don’t know.” I shrug, and I lean back against the wall. “Ooh, look.” I head over to a hammock on the far end of the balcony and glance back at him. “Want to give me a push?”

“Right now? He steps toward me and places his fingers on the curve of my back. “You want to sleep there tonight?”

“No, of course not.”

“It would protect you from my morning wood.” He winks, and I blush. “Better than even a pillow fort.”

“Really, Luke?”

“Isn’t that what you’re worried about?”

“No.”

“I mean, it would be awkward if there was no pillow fort, and you woke up, and I was pressed up against your ass, all hard. Or maybe that’s okay? Makes it all the more real, right?”

“Luke, really?” I swallow hard. I know he’s just joking, but I’m starting to feel hot. I’m about to make a joke to cut through the sexual tension when the phone inside the room rings, and I hurry back inside to answer it. It stops before I can answer it, but I decide to call down to order some food instead of going back onto the balcony. A pleasant-sounding lady answers within seconds.

“Room service. Can I help you?”

“Hi. This is Mia in?—”

“You’re in the Lincoln Suite, correct?”

“Yes, yes. I was wondering if I could place a room service order, please. I’m kinda hungry.” I don’t know why I’m telling her this information, but maybe I’m just trying to stop my mind from thinking about Luke sleeping next to me, naked. He has to be crazy because there is just no way.

“Sure, Mrs. Haverbrook. What would?—”