Rushing around my apartment, I wipe down the small tables next to the bed and smooth out the bedspread for the third time. My heart began racing even more when Mia had texted me that she was on her way and I've been frantically making sure my place looks presentable ever since, even though I had just deep cleaned last weekend out of sheer boredom.

When I asked her to stay with me at lunch today, the only thing I had on my mind was making sure she was safe and not homeless again like she had been all of those years ago. But now that the reality has set in that she'll be actually living with me, I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous as hell.

What if I do something that's completely embarrassing? What if I end up getting on her nerves? I could potentially ruin something between us before it even had the chance to get anywhere... and I still don't even know if I'll ever even get that chance anyway. Things are still up in the air with her and her husband and besides, I wouldn't want her rushing to be with me if they do split up for good. I like Mia but I'd want her to be with me because she likes me too, not because I was convenient.

I know how heartbreak feels, I could picture myself proposing to my ex right before she broke up with me. After her, I fell for another woman pretty quickly, only to realize a few months later that it wasn't love at all and that I was essentially using her to get over my pain and unfortunately being the one to hurt someone else.

I wouldn't want Mia to hurt me. Even if it was unintentional.

Still, I can't help the way my heart skips a beat the moment I see her or how I get excited when she texts me throughout the day. It's impossible to stop the butterflies that uncontrollably flutter when she randomly holds my hand or smiles because of something I said. As much as I tell myself to not think about her in that way, I can't stop it.

Mia Scott has been lingering in my mind and the object of my desires since the day I saw her during our first meeting. First, it was purely physical attraction and on many nights, I'd lay in my bed and fantasize about her. She's sexy, adorable, and sophisticated and the way she looks at me as if I'm the only one in the room sends a shiver down my spine.

But now, I have an attraction to her personality and her charm. Her strength to be able to pull herself together at a moment's notice is inspiring and her cute little giggle is music to my ears. She can go from being carefree and joking as if she's never seen a bad day in her life to being serious and having deep conversations with me as if we've known each other all of our lives. It's easy to lose yourself with a woman like her.

The knock on the front door resounds through my apartment and I take a few calculated deep breaths before twisting the doorknob. Looking up at me with her big brown eyes, Mia gives me a cute little shrug and a heart-stopping smile that makes me mimic her actions. Taking her bags from her, I step aside to allow her to come in and observe her as she looks around curiously.

"So this is where you stay?" She grins as she looks at the paintings on the wall. "It's much more spacious than I had imagined."

"You imagined my apartment?" I tilt my head with a smirk, happy that she has her back to me and is unable to see me gloating at the realization.

Nodding, she turns around and I quickly school my features. "Curiosity, I guess."

"The company found this place for me. I wasn't expecting such a large apartment when I first got here either but they had it fully furnished and everything. Probably why it looks so..."

"Chanel?" She finishes my sentence for me when I couldn't find the words.

"Exactly," I chuckle and take in her beautiful smile. It takes me a second to stop myself from continuing to stare at her and when I finally realize that I was in a trance, I clear my throat and nod towards the back room. "Let me show you where you'll be sleeping."

Walking into my bedroom, I set her bags down onto one of the tufted accent chairs in the corner and give her a moment to get used to her new surroundings. Swallowing thickly, I try to remind myself that this isn't a daydream this time and that she's actually here in my home... mainly to keep me from acting out fantasies or saying something I shouldn't.

"Red sheets?" She points out as she walks up to the bed.

"As I said, the company had everything furnished." My cheeks feel like they're on fire.

Nodding, she gives me a little grin, probably trying her best to not tease me about such provocative-looking bedding. Even when I first moved in, I found it an odd choice but since it was paid for, I didn't complain. I figured I'd eventually change it but the feeling of the silk really became appealing and I haven't wanted to fork out the money for another set in a different color.

Walking over to the window, she smiles as she notices the view. "Oh wow, you can see the Eiffel Tower from your room."

"It's lovely at night. I'm sure you'll enjoy it," I reply as I walk over to stand next to her. "When the sun begins to set, the entire sky becomes a mix of pink, orange, and pale purple. But when the lights on the tower begin to sparkle, it's like you've stepped into a dream. Early mornings are even more enchanting."

Mia turns her body to face me instead and my heart thumps loudly in my ears. "Thank you for extending your home to me," she says just above a whisper.

If this was one of my fantasies, I'd have her in my arms and my lips pressed to hers in a split second with us moving to the bed shortly after, relishing in the feeling of her hands all over my body as I made her mine.

"No problem." My voice felt stuck in my throat and judging by the smile she's trying to contain as she lowers her gaze, I'm certain she caught onto my nervousness.

Great.

"I'll be in the living room. I'll just, uh, let you get settled. Make yourself at home," I continue as I brush past her, doing my best to not touch my body with hers. More for my own sake. I'll definitely be needing a cold shower tonight.

Walking out of the bedroom and shutting the door behind me, I run my fingers through my hair and squeeze my eyes shut. I'll get used to her being here eventually and it's not like I'd ever in a million years make a move without knowing she wanted me to. I'd never want her to feel uncomfortable in my presence.

Sitting down on the couch, I pick up my phone from the coffee table and begin to try to figure out what to order for dinner. With my mind clearing of unwarranted salacious thoughts, I've noticed my stomach grumbling more and more. But as I'm searching the options, I remember that it's not all about me anymore and there's another person here who may want a say-so regarding what to eat.

Just as I'm about to get up to go knock on the bedroom door to ask her what she may like, I hear it unlatch and footsteps along the hardwood floor coming down the hall. Looking over to her, she has changed from her work attire to something much more casual. Her brunette strands were loosely piled into a bun on the top of her head with tendrils framing her face. A baggy baby pink sweatshirt cutely covered her top half while tight leggings covered the bottom. Until she raised the grocery bag in her hand, I didn't even notice she was holding anything.

"I had bought some ingredients on my way over. Do you mind if I cook tonight? I'm kind of sick of eating out all of the time. Would you want to join?" She questions with wide, waiting eyes.

"A home-cooked meal sounds perfect. I'd love to eat dinner with you."

She smiles at me as if my agreeing to eat at home with her tonight was the best thing I could have ever said and I notice the little pep in her step as she walks into the kitchen. Then it hits me that she has had all of the meals she has prepared for her and her husband all alone. At least all of them since I've known her over the last month.

Walking into the kitchen, I decided to take things a step further in hopes that I can possibly make her even a little bit happier. Taking the knife from her hand, I give her a soft grin when she looks at me with confusion knitting between her brows. Playfully bumping her with my hip, she scoots to the side with a giggle while I finish chopping up the vegetables to help her out.

After washing and seasoning the chicken, I watch as she places them into some kind of white wine sauce that she was making while I began coating the loaf of bread with a garlic butter sauce per her instructions. I have no clue what this dish is called or if it's just something she made up but either way, it looks and smells wonderful.

With a bit of the sauce on the wooden spoon, she holds it up to my mouth for me to taste it. Keeping my eyes on hers, I open up and allow the delicious-tasting mixture to graze my tongue. With a hum of approval from me, she smiles proudly and mindlessly swipes away the bit that had collected at the corner of my lips. Slipping her thumb into her mouth, my stomach twists in arousal and I silently curse to myself when she turns to face the stove again at how tempting that sight was.

"It's a nice night out. Would you like to eat on the terrace?" I question, knowing I'll need to get some fresh air to clear my mind.

Grinning up at me, she finishes placing the last bit of food onto the plate, "Yeah, that sounds great actually."

Taking hold of the dinnerware, I ask for her to grab the wine and the glasses and meet me out there when she's ready. The sun was setting on the day and the colors decorating the sky were just how I had previously described them to her. The same pink flowers I had sent her that she seems to like align the railing as I take a seat to overlook part of the city.

Soon after, she steps out as well with a small gasp as she takes in the view, "Oh wow, Jimin. You weren't lying, were you?"

"I told you it was beautiful," I proudly state as I stand to pull out her chair for her.

With a hint of blush on her cheeks, she thanks me and takes her seat, smiling brightly when the Eiffel Tower begins to light up in the distance, "It's like I'm seeing Paris for the first time again."

Taking a sip of my wine, I study the way the setting sun casts an ethereal golden hue against her smooth skin and admire how freely the loose strands of her hair sway in the gentle breeze as she stays glued to the enchantment of the city at this time of night. She has this certain magic about her that puts me under her spell but it's also something that makes me feel at ease in her presence.

"Thank you for making dinner for us." Before I can think about what I'm doing, I reach across the small circular table and take hold of her hand.

I almost pull away until she softly squeezes, keeping me in place. "Thank you for joining me. I hate eating alone." She replies with a genuinely kind sparkle behind her chestnut irises.

My heart restricts in my chest at the sight. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be."