Roommates With Benefits [BL]

”I’m just trying to find out if the furniture can handle being touched by humans.”

He chuckled. ”Yeah, feel free to sit, Oliver.”

He took my hand and led me to the kitchen, which featured sleek charcoal cabinets, built-in appliances, and a big stone island that felt both modern and surprisingly welcoming. There was plenty of space for cooking, with several stools lined up at the island and a vase of fresh flowers next to a bowl of fruit.

I dragged my fingers along the counter.

”Woah, this kitchen is so big.”

”Would a smaller one be better?”

”No, I just want to know if I can make a mess without getting charged for it later.”

Damien kissed my temple. ”You can do whatever you want here.”

His words made me look at him, and his expression softened as our eyes met. ”You live here now, Sunshine.”

I looked away quickly, before my face revealed how much I liked hearing that, and instead focused on inspecting the refrigerator and what was inside like I was on some important mission. ”Great. Then I expect snacks to be available at all times.”

”I’ll let the chef know.”

As we moved through the penthouse, I found a private gym stocked with weights and machines, a game room with a pool table, gaming consoles, board games, and a massive screen, and an indoor theater with rows of reclining seats facing a screen that made a regular TV look tiny.

I paused in the theater, pressed one of the buttons on the armrest, and watched the seat recline beneath me.

”Oh,” I murmured. ”Wow...”

Damien leaned against the doorframe. ”Nice, right?”

”Don’t talk to me. I’m rethinking every movie night I’ve ever had on a couch.”

He laughed as I reluctantly got up from the chair, and we headed toward the rooftop terrace, where a heated infinity pool was set in the upper level. The illuminated water stretched out toward a glass edge, giving the illusion that it flowed right into the city, while a discreet overflow channel and structural supports kept everything safe.

So does that mean people really didn’t really float away and fall a hundred feet to their deaths like I thought they would?

Anyways beyond the pool, there was cozy outdoor furniture and nicely arranged greenery, creating a peaceful spot surrounded by the sparkling skyline.

I stared at the view. ”So, you’re saying I can swim up here?”

”Yep.”

”At the top of a building?”

”That’s usually where the penthouse is.”

I turned to him. ”I was hoping for a more reasonable explanation.”

He wrapped an arm around my waist. ”Want to swim tomorrow?”

”Maybe...then again, I could freaking drown.”

Once we were back inside, Damien introduced me to Gabriel, the head chef, who greeted me warmly and assured me he’d be happy to consider my food preferences.

”Nice to meet you,” I said. ”I promise I’m not hard to please, as long as no one tries to sneak mushrooms into my meals.”

Gabriel smiled. ”I’ll keep that in mind, sir.”

We also met Mrs. Wells, the housekeeper who managed the staff and kept everything running smoothly.

She was polite and welcoming, promising that my things would be arranged in the bedroom and that I could reach out if I needed anything.

I thanked her, though I couldn’t shake the awkward feeling of being the new resident in a place where everyone else seemed like they had it all figured out.

Once she left, I turned to Damien.

”So, let’s recap: you have a chef, a housekeeper, a security team, a private gym, a cinema, and a swimming pool in the sky.”

”When you say it like that, it sounds a bit much considering this is only the penthouse and you haven’t seen my estate outside the city.”

I paused, of course the billionaire hot shot had an estate he didn’t even bother to actually live in tucked somewhere else. ”Because it is a bit much.”

He smiled and pulled me closer. ”You’ll get used to it.”

He kissed my forehead.

”Alright,” he confessed. ”You could.”

After a damn royal feast considered a mere dinner by Damien, I showered and changed into some comfy clothes before heading back to the bedroom.

My belongings were already organized in a way that made me suspect Damien had secretly hired an entire team of organizers.

My books were neatly placed on the shelves by the desk, my clothes were in the wardrobe, and the photo of my dad and me was on the dresser next to my little collection of sentimental stuff.

I smiled at the sight, touching the edge of the frame before noticing the open balcony doors and the city lights outside.

The view pulled me outside right away.

I leaned against the glass railing, taking in the endless rows of illuminated buildings, the moving traffic far below, and the distant waterfront reflecting the city in shimmering lines of gold.

From up here, New Havenport felt both huge and oddly serene, its noise softened by distance until it was just a quiet hum beneath the night air.

I stood there for a few minutes, reflecting on how surreal it felt to have gone from my familiar home in Crestview Bay to this place in just one day.

The change was massive, but I didn’t feel as lost as I had anticipated.

Maybe it was because I wasn’t going through this alone.

The balcony door slid open behind me, and I turned to see Damien stepping outside in a dark bathrobe, his hair still damp from his shower, falling slightly over his forehead.

He came to stand beside me, resting a hand on my waist. ”Do you like the view, Sunshine?”

I glanced at him. ”Hmm, it’s really beautiful.”

His smile turned a bit smug. ”I thought you’d like it.”

”Don’t look so pleased with yourself. You didn’t arrange the skyline personally.”

”I own part of the building.”

”That’s not the same thing.”

”I also invested in the waterfront redevelopment.”

I sighed and turned toward him. ”You really can’t take a compliment without turning it into a business accomplishment, can you?”

He laughed, pulling me closer. ”I’m just happy you like it.”

I looked back at the city, feeling the cool breeze on my face while his warmth wrapped around me.

”I’m a bit nervous,” I admitted. ”Everything is different, and I know it’ll take time to get used to it, but I’m so glad to be here. I chose this, Damien. I chose you, and I want to build a life with you.”

His expression softened, and he brushed a strand of hair from my forehead. ”That’s all I wanted to hear, Sunshine.”

I studied his face for a moment before allowing a small smile to appear.

”But I reserve the right to complain about costs, and if you suggest buying my workplace again, I’ll personally throw you out of the building.”

”I’ll behave.”

”And I’m not going to turn into just a decorative penthouse ornament.”

”That’s too bad. I already picked out a lovely shelf for you.”

I stared at him as he smiled down at me.

”Damien, shut up and kiss me.” I tugged at the front of his robe, pulling him closer for a kiss before he could come up with another ridiculous comment.

His arms wrapped around my waist as the teasing morphed into something warmer, and when I pulled back to catch my breath, he smiled against my lips before kissing me again.

The city sparkled behind us, its endless lights reflecting off the glass and illuminating the man I loved, his hand resting gently on my back while mine settled on his shoulders.