Chapter 9 Merriman Flirtatious Move
778 Words
Lizzy thought she underestimated Merriman. If it were Eric, a little batting of the lashes usually did the trick.
'It seems that this dude is tougher than Eric!' Lizzy thought.
She let out a sigh and said, "Alright, Mandler. Let's go; I'll help you find a new place."
"Thanks a ton, Ms. Swan," Mandler replied, his eyes sparkling with grateful light.
"Don't sweat it. The backup apartment ain't half bad, and it's just a stone's throw from here. I can swing by more often with food."
"Wait a sec!" Merriman stopped them.
Lizzy turned, glaring at Merriman. "What now, Mr. Heart of Stone?"
Merriman was about to speak when Lizzy's phone buzzed.
She gave an apologetic gesture and moved to the windowsill to answer.
"Pool party this weekend?" It was an invitation from Christie, but Lizzy didn't hesitate to decline.
"Christie, sorry to say, but I'm not up for your nerd squad's academic salon... Plus, I haven't even got my divorce papers sorted yet. Don't wanna hand Eric that dirtbag any ammo. You know, he's got a whole army of lawyers behind him!"
The voice from the phone got louder. "You sure? That hot guy from my graduation you liked will be there."
Lizzy sneaked a glance at Merriman and whispered, "Please, it was just a polite compliment. He didn't take his shirt off; how would I know if he's hot for sure?"
"So, come over and find out for yourself. Have your hands on it, and you'll know."
"Christie..."
Lizzy was about to lecture her sister when suddenly, Merriman appeared behind her, almost pinning her between his arms and the window.
Startled, Lizzy nearly yelped, and she managed to reply with a trembling voice, "Christie, I'll have to get back to you. Bye."
She quickly hung up, leaning back as far from Merriman as she could until her back hit the cold glass.
"Hot guy, huh?" Merriman asked with a teasing smile.
"Not... very sure."
"Ms. Swan, seems like even after you ditched that white peacock, you still got a flock of dudes around you."
Before Lizzy could think of a comeback, Merriman seized her hand and boldly placed it on his abs.
"So how hot was that guy? Like this?"
The heat from his body, strong and distinctly masculine, forced her fingers to tighten instinctively. She instantly felt his muscles tense under her touch, as defined as the hard ice tray.
Merriman leaned in close, his lips nearly touching her ear as he murmured in a deep, magnetic voice, "Tell me what you think."
Lizzy's cheeks flushed a brilliant scarlet, and her eyes were shockingly wide.
"P-Pretty close," she stammered.
"Pretty close?" Merriman wasn't pleased with the vague response. He gently took her hand, guiding her to delve deeper. The sudden move scared Lizzy stiff. Her heart thumped wildly, ready to burst out of her chest.
Yet her hand seemed to have a mind of its own, following Merriman's lead downward... across his springy abs... further down... through his thick hair... until she felt the searing hardness of his...
"No!" Lizzy yanked her hand back, her face burning red.
Above her, Merriman's hearty, infectious laughter rang out. "Lizzy, you gotta listen to your heart."
Lizzy's eyes snapped open, her emotions flipping from anxiety to irritation. "Merriman!"
Merriman raised his hands in surrender and straightened up. "Come on, weren't we on about renting a place? I've got a nice apartment available. Eight hundred and sixty square feet, and we'll go with the market rate."
Lizzy's eyes lit up. She waved over Mandler, who was still dazed at the door, and started heading upstairs with his luggage.
"But... I can't afford such a big place right now." Standing behind Lizzy, Mandler blurted out, his voice filled with honest financial concern.
"Listen, Mandler, just focus on your R&D. I'll handle these minor details. Just make sure you make my investment worthwhile, alright?" said Lizzy in a firm tone.
Lizzy's expression was serious and determined, her posture ramrod straight, making her presence even more commanding.
"Got it, boss," Mandler said.
Lizzy nodded with a smile, leaving Mandler to tidy up his room while she looked around the house. She found that Merriman was nowhere to be seen.
Though he seemed so aloof at first and even took advantage of her, Lizzy felt she should thank him.
She left the room in search of Merriman but instead found a staircase next to the corridor that led up to a plain door ajar.
'Could he have gone up to the rooftop?' wondered Lizzy.
Tiptoeing up the stairs, Lizzy pushed the door open.
What she saw made her eyes go wide with surprise.
- Writer
