“Please do.”
“I think you’re attractive. I think you’re intelligent.” Did he seem to stand a little straighter at that? “But you’re emotionally distant and, well,cold. It seems a real shame that you’re so closed off, Noel. But that’s your business. Your life. From now on, we’ll be great neighbors, casual acquaintances who might pass eachother from time to time, but that’s it. I’m sorry if I seemed pushy about getting to know you. You’re obviously a private man. And tonight has shown me I should keep my distance.”
So disappointing that Noel was bad boyfriend material. But what had she expected?
“What exactly did I do that upset you?”
Again, no emotion in that voice.
Irritated, she glared at him. “Youreally don’t see it, do you?”
He quirked a brow, so patronizing, and said nothing.
Frustrated, because he had so much potential—nice with her parents, lived close by, great income, manners, attractive—she let fly, “I can’t do this. You’re like a robot, you know? I used to think you weren’t even into women before you asked me out. You’re so quiet and detached and… Oh, forget it.”She opened her door and entered, but when she tried to close it behind her, he stepped inside.
“I have something to say. Then I’ll leave.”
She should have been frightened by how he’d invaded her space. But she wasn’t. Noel didn’t feel like a violent man. Hell, he didn’t “feel” like much of anything…warm, mammalian, or human.
She tossed her coat and purse on the couch, thenturned and crossed her arms over her chest. “Go ahead.”
He stared at her a moment, then walked closer. An odd look entered his eyes, and she knew a moment of uncertainty. “Do I frighten you?”
A normal guy would ask if he scared her. Noel enunciated each word with polite entreaty.
“No.” Unnerved maybe, but not exactly terrorized.
He nodded. “Good. You have a valid argument.But there’s something I’d like to point out.”
“Please do.” He was so civilized, so proper. So much handsomeness wasted on someone so…cold.
“I went out with you because I’ve wanted to for a long time. That much is true. But I think you’re equating my sense of control with a lack of imagination.”
“I’m sorry. What?”
“I’d like a good night kiss.”
“Huh?”
“I’mnot asking for sex. I won’t put a hand on you. I just want to show you that I’m a flesh and blood man under all my robot armor.”
She flushed. “I didn’t mean to insult you. It’s just that we’re so different, and I—”
“One kiss. Then I’ll go.”
She shrugged and leaned closer, then closed her eyes. “Go ahead.”
The things I’ll suffer to keep on good terms with my robot neighbor.
