Cherry Creek - Dani Matthews Page 0,53

overhead lights turn on, giving the stairs a well-lit but muted glow.

I cautiously make my way down the carpeted stairs, and at the base of the stairwell, I reach for the light switch that will light up the darkened room before me. I blink as my eyes adjust and look around with interest. It's a lounge room. A large, flat screen TV is the central focus on the farthest wall, and in a corner is a fireplace. I'm guessing in the winter time the fireplaces come in handy if they actually work. On the other side of the room are dark brown couches. It's very neat and simple, and once again the color scheme is earth tones. I've noticed Khristos seems to be a big fan of tan, brown, and cream.

The hallway to the very left catches my eye, and I walk towards it. Somewhere down the hall, I can hear the low sound of music. Someone's awake? I debate whether I should continue my exploration or go back to bed.

Nah, I'm nosy.

The first door on the left is open in the darkened hallway, and I can see just enough to not bother turning on the hall lights. I want to know where the music is coming from, and I don't want to startle whoever is awake, because I want to see what they're doing.

I peer in the darkened doorway next to me and turn on the light. It's a theater room. My eyes nearly bug out of my head as I take in the large screen that takes up almost one entire wall. I slowly scan the rest of the room. It's simple with only red carpet and ten black leather reclining chairs across from the big movie screen. The walls have no décor, because the main focus in this room is the movie screen. I can't believe Khristos has his own movie theater room! For a few minutes, I just stand there and ogle it until I eventually turn away to turn off the light.

There’s another doorway on the right that’s open and dark. The doorway beyond that is open and light filters out of the room, lighting up the hall. That’s where the music is coming from, but I want to know what's in all the rooms, so I pause at the next doorway first and turn on the light. It's a billiards room. There are two, large pool tables, and along one wall are a bunch of arcade games. On the opposite wall is another flat screen TV and a dart set.

I shake my head. I had no idea some people live like this. After flipping off the light, I move towards the brightly lit doorway several feet down from the billiards room. I can hear the muted sound of metal clanking, and as I get closer, the music becomes clearer. It's some type of hard rock, but it's low enough not to bother anyone upstairs.

I peek around the corner, and my mouth just about hits the floor. It's a mini-gym full of work out equipment, and one wall is made up entirely of mirrors. It's not the sight of the gym that shocks me, though. It's Trace. He's shirtless and wearing only a pair of shorts. I don't know anything about gym equipment, so I can't begin to guess what type of machine he's using. I'm assuming it's to build upper arm strength, because his biceps bunch when he brings his arms together, and I can see his chest muscles tensing every time.

I'm tempted to hightail it back upstairs, since I almost jumped the man Friday night. I wouldn't want him to think I'm following him or turning stalkerish. Wait a second. This is my temporary home, and he's the one who shouldn't be here. With that thought in mind, I step into the doorway and enter the room.

Trace looks up as he catches the movement in the corner of his eye. He looks taken aback to see me, and he promptly lets go of the machine. “Livvy,” he says over the music as he rises to his feet.

Don't look, don't look, don't look, I warn myself. I am not going to stare at his sweaty chest. I keep my eyes focused on his face, but it's hard.

He looks at me questioningly as he walks over to a stereo in the corner of the room and shuts off the music. A heavy silence fills the room. “What are you doing down here?” he asks as