She follows my stare.
Then turns back to glare at me.
“Well then”—a little dismissive wave of her hand—“feel free to get on with it.”
I smirk, start to move by her. Then stop. “You know?—”
She sighs, hand falling away from the electronic keypad above the door. “No,” she mutters. “Idon’tknow. But you’re sure as shit going to tell me.”
My smirk widens, and I lift a shoulder and drop it in an impassive shrug. Then I go on like she hasn’t spoken the acerbic words. I don’t think telling her that her glaring up at me like a pissed-off kitten is going to go over well. “You know,” I say again, “I think it’s kind of interesting that there are only two condos on this level. Mine and yours,” I add indolently when her eyes narrow further. “And I’ve never so much as bumped into you before.”
She scowls, turns back to the door.
When I don’t immediately start walking, she says to the wooden panel, “Move along, Mr. Creepy.”
I snort.
Take a step back. Stop. Can’t resist asking, “Want to tell me why that is?”
“Whywhatis?”
“Why I’ve never run into you before, cookie.”
She spins to face me, crossing her arms over her chest. “What’s with that?”
“With what?”
She lifts an eyebrow. “Cookie?”
I just grin. “Seems we both have questions.” I turn away, take a step.
“I just moved in a week ago.”
“Ah,” I try to keep the note of triumph out of my voice…and I have the feeling I don’t succeed—or at least not completely. “That explains it.”
“Explains what?”
“I was on a work trip last week.”
“Oh.”
A shrug. “That’s why I wasn’t here when you moved in.”
“You keep track of everyone’s comings and goings?”
I shrug again. “I like to know my neighbors.” I wink, amusement curling through me when I practically see the smoke streaming out of her ears. “Or rather,neighbor.”
Her lips part as she leans closer, and I brace myself for her retort.
This will be good.
I know it will be.
Hell, even my dick twitching in my pants knows as much.
I shift a little closer, back in range of that intoxicating perfume of hers. Cherry blossoms? Jasmine? Lavender?
“You know,neighbor,” she begins, “I think?—”
