All Rights Reserved

Chapter 19-The Rooming Issues

Miranda Barone's POV

"Why do you women need so much stuff?" Mark grumbled as he heaved some of my items into the guest room Slade had given me. I rolled my eyes at his complaining. "Quit grumbling and stop being such a baby about it." I ordered and slowly unpacked some of my belongings. Mark let out a huff before a sly grin crossed his face, "Why aren't you staying with Slade in his room since the both of you are always stuck together?"

I scowled at Mark, "Because I like privacy." I stated before folding some of Alexi's shirts that I always wore to sleep into a drawer.

Mark snorted, "I'm sure that's the only reason."

"It is!" I insisted and Mark smirked. "Or are you just trying to hide the fact that you and Kolosov would be sleeping together if you guys shared a room? No wonder he's been in such a good mood recently. If that's the case, you should wear this, he likes black lace." Mark pulled out a black lacy bra from my lingerie drawer that I had already packed.

My face turned bright red in mortification before I snatched the item away before stuffing it back into the drawer. "Okay that is it! Get out!"

Mark exploded into laughter as he sauntered out of my room smugly. I shook my head, that boy needed some help.

It was only yesterday did I move in with Slade. He had given me the same room I stayed in previously. The room was pretty and it had a ensuite bathroom and a pretty large wardrobe considering it was in a freaking penthouse!

Slade had shown me around his home yesterday and apparently his room was opposite mine. Also, he had been dropping subtle-but not that subtle-hints for me to share his room. Of course, I pretended to not catch them and I knew Slade knew that I was pretending to not catch them but he let it slide.

Slade's house was really roomy and it had two levels. He even had space for a grand piano in his home. Slade had already shown me around his home and his room was pretty big and surprisingly it was really neat.

I looked around my room and I couldn't help but wonder what would my brother's reaction be if he knew that I was staying in the same house as Slade Kolosov. Most probably, he would burst a vein or something. I missed my brother but I was not going to extend an olive branch until he apologised first. I really had pride issues.

Staying together with Slade was going to be something different, that was for sure. I mean it was pretty domesticated and stuff. Like this morning, I had made breakfast for us like how couples did that stayed together. Were we even a couple? We kissed but did that make us a couple?

I pursed my lips and sighed. I had dated before and it was pretty clear and straight forward if the guys I had dated and I were together. But Slade? I didn't have a direct admission from him that we were together. Ugh. I didn't know. What were we?! I groaned before pushing all thoughts about Slade and I away and concentrated on packing my stuff.

***

"What are you doing?"

"Putting lipstick on." I answered as I carefully applied the bright shade of red onto my lips as I glanced at him. It has been two days since I stayed here in Slade's home and I realised that even though my room was big and roomy, the lighting for applying makeup was terrible.

Slade had stopped hinting about staying in the room with him and I was relieved and a little disappointed. Had he changed his mind about wanting to stay in the same room as me? It was my choice not to, remember? I hissed at myself and glanced at Slade through the mirror.

Slade was leaning against the doorframe before replying drily, "I can see that. But why are you doing that in my room?"

I replied as I applied the lipstick carefully at the corners of my mouth, "Because your room has better lighting and and a bigger mirror." Slade raised an eyebrow before shrugging, "If that's how you feel, why don't you just use it anytime you want?"

"Really? But I'll always have to bring everything over and back."

"You can just leave them there. I don't use that dresser much." Slade said casually. "Really? Okay." I nodded my head before checking my mouth to make sure the lipstick was evenly applied.

Through the mirror, I could see a sly smirk cross Slade's face and immediately, I was on guard. "What are you up to?" I questioned warily.

Slade gave me an innocent grin. "Nothing. Just wondering why you're putting lipstick on when we're going to eat and by the way your food is done cooking itself in the oven."

Slade had a point. Why was I putting lipstick on when I was going to eat and it would come off? "I just wanted to. Is there a problem with me putting makeup up on before I eat?"

"No, that lipstick makes me want to kiss the daylights out of you."

My cheeks flushed a bright pink before I left the tube of lipstick on the mahogany dresser. "Oh-I mean uh let's eat!" I rushed out.

Slade smirked smugly as he followed after me, clearly enjoying the way he could make me blush so easily. Stupid smug idiot.

***

"That was a fucking stupid show."

I rolled my eyes at his annoyance, "I thought it was really nice and cute." I replied as we made our way to the bedrooms.

"No one wins a murder case that easily by knowing hair curling rules." Slade grumbled and I rolled my eyes again. Legally Blonde was playing and I insisted that we watch the romantic comedy of Elle Woods and her life as an aspiring law student.

"That's why it was a comedy film." I said pointedly and Slade grunted in response. "Well, if it was real, I would have saved so much money on my lawyers." He commented drily as we reached my room.

I rolled my eyes before saying softly. "Goodnight Slade." And with that, I pressed a soft kiss to his unshaven jaw.

Slade's eyes landed on my mouth before his lips curved into a smirk, "No goodnight kiss?" A small smile tugged onto my lips before I tiptoed and placed a kiss onto his lips. "There."

"Just for the record, my bed is way bigger and more comfortable." Slade said nonchalantly and gave me a boyish grin. Okay, I knew where this was going. "So what?" I retorted and crossed my arms challengingly.

"Its big enough for two." He added pointedly and a wry smile crossed my face. Slade continued, "Would you like to try it with me tonight?" He gave me a sexy smirk and I rolled my eyes, "Goodnight Kolosov." I said pointedly before closing the door and I could hear Slade's amused laughter behind the door.

***

The next morning, I rushed into Slade's room and opened the door. "What the hell?!" Sade cursed in irritation as he woke up. I quickly went to one of Slade's dressers and began applying my lip gloss and mascara.

Slade groaned as he got out of bed and looked at his alarm clock. "Fucking hell Mel! Its only eight in the morning!"

My eyes wandered over his shirtless and boxer clad form. His dark blonde hair was all mussed up and his tattoos were available for my prying eyes to be admired. NO! Don't get distracted! You're late for work! I snapped at myself inwardly.

"I'm sorry but I overslept and now I'm going to be late for work!" I hurriedly gave my explanation and Slade cursed under his breath before slumping back onto his bed.

I quickly tied my hair up in a ponytail and picked up the two pairs of shoes. "Quick! The flats or the heels!"

Slade scrutinised me, "Does it really matter? Both are fine."

"NO! Quickly help me choose!" I snapped and Slade raked his eyes all over my outfit and I could see an appreciative glance in his sky blue eyes. "I guess the heels."

I quickly slipped the heels on before leaving the flats on the floor. "Thanks! Bye!" I called out and Tony and Mark were already waiting for me in my car. Immediately, we left and what I missed was a black car watching us as we drove off.

***

I got back into Slade's apartment and realised that Slade wasn't back. Maybe I knew that because I couldn't sense his domineering presence around. I took a hot shower and realised that I left my pair of shoes behind in Slade's room.

Oops, I hoped he wasn't too annoyed about it considering I had woke him up with all my rushing and stuff. I entered his room and frowned when I realised it wasn't where I thought I left it earlier this morning. Had I placed it somewhere else?

"What are you looking for?"

I jumped and turned to see Slade watching me. When had he gotten there? I had not even heard him enter the house! "My shoes. The flats I left behind in your room this morning." I said sheepishly.

"They're in my closet. Mark had complained to me about how many shoes you have and that there wasn't enough space in your room and thus I placed it there." Slade commented drily.

"Oh. Okay thanks. In that case, would you mind if I put these in there as well? Hey! Since when was that vanity table there?" I questioned as I placed my heels into the wardrobe beside the flats and spotted the mahogany vanity table set near the bathroom.

"That is there, because my dresser apparently can't hold all of your stuff." Slade commented as he ran his fingers through his hair.

I pursed my lips and narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "Thank you, I really appreciate it. But why didn't you put that in my room so I won't have to litter your room with my stuff?"

Slade raised an eyebrow before crossing his arms, and my eyes enjoyed the way his muscles bunched up and his plain white tee was straining against his muscular form. "You did say my room had better lighting." He gave me an innocent grin.

And it clicked. "I know what you're up to Slade Kolosov!"

"What did I do?" Slade gave me a charming grin as he leaned against the wall.

"Y-you're manipulating things to get your own way aren't you?" I demanded.

"Again, what did I do for such a bold accusation to be hurled at me?" He asked with a smirk on his plump kissable lips.

"You're slowly making me move into your room!"

Slade grinned before shrugging his shoulders innocently, "How so?"

"That vanity table! And t-the shoes!" I sputtered and Slade looked on amusedly, "Can you blame a guy for trying?"

A wry smile crossed my face, "You are really sneaky did you know that?"

Slade smirked and shrugged, "I'll take that as a compliment. So?"

"So what?" I questioned confused.

Slade narrowed his eyes at me, "Would you move in with me?"

I frowned and played dumb, "I already live in the same house as you." Slade growled before rolling his eyes at me, "You know what I mean."

I avoided his statement and my eyes wandered over to his bed behind me before sinking onto it. "Hey your bed really is more comfortable."

Slade got on top of me on the bed before smirking down at me. "You have no idea how good you look in my bed." He rumbled out and I glanced up at him with wide eyes as his lips claimed mine hungrily.

He climbed on top of me, his lips never moving away from mine and pressed his body against mine. My arms wrapped around his neck and his forearms supported himself above me as he continued to claim my mouth. Even though I've been kissed before, Slade's kisses were the best few I ever had.

His mouth began to trail kisses down my neck and he grinded against me and I let out a soft breathy moan. Encouraged, Slade's mouth began to nibble and leave hot wet kisses down the side of my neck and left a mark on my collarbone before going back to my mouth. One of his hands began to creep under my shirt.

His warm calloused fingers on my skin made me shiver and I arched my back to press against his groin and I received a throaty groan. His fingers began inching towards my bra and I gulped. I quickly pulled away when things got a little carried away. "Wait."

Slade got off of me and I panted, my eyes catching sight of how swollen his lips were from the kiss we shared. Slade seemed dazed and I couldn't help but feel pretty flattered from how much an effect I had over him.

I quickly sat up on the bed and ran my hands through my hair before saying hesitantly, "I'm not going to be one of those women you always sleep around with." I said quietly and Slade watch me with narrowed eyes.

"Is that how you think I see you as?" He asks huskily, his voice thick from lust.

I bit my lip and glanced away before meeting his intense gaze on me. "I don't even know. You say you don't do romance or girlfriends so what would you expect me to think?"

Slade sighed before running his hand through his hair. He was silent for a moment before saying. "To me, you're different from those women I bed. You're Miranda Barone, the first women to ever enter my home, well except Mira and live here."

My heart fluttered like a butterfly and a small smile spread across my face, "Really?"

"Yes."

"Why?" I blurted the question out and my face flamed from how direct I was. "You're different." Slade said quietly and a small smile creeped onto my face, "So I'm like the Harley Quinn to your Joker?"

Slade commented drily, "I hardly appreciate your humour sweetheart, especially since I do not wear red and white paint all over my face nor do I have green hair and neither is your hair blonde."

I touched my strawberry blonde locks, "Maybe I'll get mine to blonde and yours to green."

Slade rolled his eyes before jutting out his lips impatiently, "So? What are we exactly? Seeing that you want to put a label on things." He demanded and I hid a smile behind my hand. I stood up from the bed and looked up at him seriously.

"I don't know. What I know is that I want to be with you." I murmured softly before caressing his stubbled jaw. His eyes shut as he leaned against my touch, as if enjoying the feeling of my hand on his cheek.

Slade didn't say anything as his lips pressed against mine gently. It wasn't like the other kisses we shared previously that was all rough and hot and passionate. This was tender, like Slade was trying to pour out his emotions and thoughts through this kiss.

Slade pulled away before resting his forehead on mine before brushing my lower lip with his thumb where it was probably swollen from his kisses.

"So?" Slade asks huskily as his blue eyes met mine. With that simple kiss, I knew that Slade had felt the same as I did. He wasn't one for expressing his emotions verbally but he did it through actions and I was okay with that.

I gave him a warm smile, "Whatever we are, it's exclusive and I would like to go slow if thats okay with you."

A rare but very small smile tugged onto the corner of his lips and Slade nodded before adding quietly, "It wouldn't be you if you didn't." He said a little affectionately and a small giddy smile crossed my lips.

I couldn't help it, but a yawn escaped me. "You're tired. Go freshen up and go to bed. Here in my room, I might add." I laughed and nodded before making my way to my bedroom and donned one of Alexi's shirts and a pair of sleeping shorts and freshened up in my bathroom before ambling towards Slade's room.

I entered and my eyes widened to see Slade totally shirtless in just his boxers. I gulped and my eyes ran all over his muscled body and tattoos, lingering on the inked dragon on his side before meeting his blue eyes that were full of satisfaction and smugness.

"Here. Wear mine." He tossed me one of his shirts and I frowned as I caught it. "Why? I'm already wearing one of Alexi's."

He shifted his jaw and shrugged, "We're together are we not? You're supposed to wear my shirts to sleep."

A smile broke onto my face and I gave in. "Alright." I turned to the bathroom in his room and slipped the shirt on, enjoying the scent of Slade that clung to his shirt. Why did he have to smell so good? I caught myself sniffing his shirt before making my way to the bed.

After I got under the covers, arms pulled me against a muscled body and I blushed, thankful that it was dark. Slade's arms wrapped around my waist tightly and he breathed out, "Goodnight Mel."

"Goodnight Slade." I murmured and my eyes closed shut, enjoying being enveloped in his scent and was soon, I was lulled to sleep by his breathing.

***

A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for being so patient with me! My exams went great! Well, better than I thought I would do. Thanks so much for all the well wishes and encourages for my exam! I really appreciate it! <3 <3 <3 

I hope this chapter was worth the wait. And because I finished this way earlier than I expected, I would be updating it two days earlier and also, another chapter will be up tomorrow and it will be in Slade's POV! Ahaha. Anyway, again, if you liked this chapter, give it a vote and comment! Because I really do love reading them! :)

Dedicated to lovebooksmusiclife92 for her comments in the previous chapter!