His expression turns serious in a way that always steals my breath. “Harper, the only thing I’d change about you being here is your broken heart.”
Oddly, I believe he means it, and I have no idea what to say.
I don’t need to worry. He glances around the room, taking in the boxes stacked against the wall, and his grin returns. “So.”
I narrow my eyes. “So?”
He reaches into the box at my feet and pulls out a pair of fuzzy pink socks.
“Oh my God.” I try to grab them from him.
His eyebrows shoot up. “You own these voluntarily?”
“Give them back.”
He holds them out of reach. "We need to establish some ground rules if we're living together."
"We're not living together." I jump, trying to reach them.
"Oh, we’re definitely living together." His voice is absolute, leaving no room for argument. He looks pointedly at the boxes, at the overnight bag hanging from the closet door, at my books on the bedside table, and then back at me. "This is happening, sunshine. Might as well make it official."
I snatch the socks from his hand, heat climbing my neck.
His grin widens. "Rule number one."
I whack him with the socks. “I haven’t agreed to any rules."
"Of course you haven’t. That’s what we’re doing now." He steps closer, backing me toward the bed. "Rule number one. You can't wear underwear."
I blink at him, confused. "What?"
"You heard me." His eyes are dark with mischief and heat. "No panties. Not in this room, not in my bed."
"That's—" I sputter, waving my hand, the socks flopping. "That's ridiculous."
"That's the rule." He tilts his head, studying me. "Question is, are you in violation right now?"
My face flames, and I edge backwards. "Luke?—"
"Let me check."
Before I can protest, his hands are on my hips, fingers hooking into the waistband of my jeans.
"Stop!" I shriek, batting his hands away. "You are not?—"
"I absolutely am." Grinning, he tugs me toward him.
I dodge, but he's faster. His arm snakes around my waist and pulls me against him.
"Luke!" My scream turns into a laugh as I try to twist away.
"This is research," he says solemnly, though his eyes are dancing. "Very important research."
I shove at his chest, but he doesn't budge. Instead, he lifts me off my feet and tosses me onto the bed. I land with a bounce, breathless and giggling. "You're impossible."
"And you're wearing jeans." He crawls over me, caging me in with his arms. "Which makes this investigation more difficult."
"Good." I playfully kick at him.