“No. Like I mentioned last night, it’s just me and a storage unit up here,” she said, grabbing her jacket and purse from the couch before making her way back to him. “A buzzer system isn’t really necessary. I just use the brick to prop the door open when I’m having company over.”
“Are they planning on installing a buzzer?” he asked, taking her purse and coffee from her.
“Thanks,” she said and donned her jacket. She ushered him into the hallway and turned to lock her door. “I don’t think so. Since it’s just one apartment up here, I don’t think it would be cost effective.” She turned to him and shrugged. “It isn’t that big of a deal.”
“Do me a favor?”
She arched her eyebrow and eyed him up and down. “Depends on the favor.”
The corners of his lips kicked up, and he shook his head. “Don’t prop your door open. Just have your guests text you when they get here instead.” She opened her mouth—not to argue, per se, but he continued before she could say anything. “Please, Freya. It’s not safe.” He gestured to her apartment door. “There’s no peephole, so you can’t even check who’s at your door without opening it.”
She took in his serious face, his tense jaw, and her teasing reply of him being all alpha caveman died on her lips. He really was concerned about her. And damn if that just didn’t warm her insides right up. Xander Bonetti was more than just a handsome and sexy guy. He was a good man.
Taking her purse back from him, she tucked her keys inside and set it in the crook of her elbow. “Okay.”
“Okay?” He narrowed his eyes, as if he was surprised she’d acquiesced so easily.
She nodded. “What you said makes sense. I’m a single woman living alone. It would be dumb of me not to listen to you. After all, you do work in security.”
“That I do,” he said, standing straighter with a smug smile growing on his lips.
She plucked her coffee from his hands and gestured to the stairs. “After you.”
“Hang on.”
She glanced at him and couldn’t help but smile at the mischievous twinkle in his brown eyes. What was he up to?
He stepped close and gently tilted her chin up with his finger. Her breath caught, and her heart thudded in her chest as he lowered his head. His lips met hers and tingles shot down her spine.
She sighed into the kiss and reveled in the soft tease of his tongue. After a few glorious seconds, he pulled away.
“Good morning,” he whispered.
She knew the grin on her face was dopey. Did she care? Not one bit.
He dropped a kiss to the tip of her nose before straightening. “You look beautiful. I should have started with that instead of going on about your door. I’m sorry about that.”
She shook her head. “Xander, you have nothing to apologize for. You were looking out for me.”
“I’m glad you think so.” He took a sip of his coffee before making his way down the stairs. “I’ve been told I can be a little overbearing at times.”
Following him, she fanned her face and took a huge gulp of her iced latte, hoping it would cool her off. “Like I said, you were looking out for my safety. Nothing wrong with that.”
When they stepped onto the sidewalk, she waited while he closed the door behind them and made sure the lock was engaged. “You know, if it would make you feel safer, I can have my company install some security cameras at the entrance.”
She shrugged. “You’d have to check with Mrs. Nagy. She owns the building. I’m just renting.”
“Yeah, but if it madeyoufeel safer?—”
“I’m fine,” she said, nudging her shoulder into him as they walked toward his Rover. “I promise.”
“Well, it’s an open invite.” They reached his vehicle, and he opened the passenger side door for her. “If you ever want extra security, just let me know, and I’ll work it out with Mrs. Nagy. It’s not a problem.”
Once she was situated, he closed the door and rounded the hood. She placed her purse on the floor and her drink into the cup holder and waited for him to get settled. Before he started the SUV—and before she could second-guess herself—she reached out and caressed the side of his face.
He stilled completely, and his gaze locked with hers.
She ran her thumb over his cheek, mesmerized with how soft his skin was over the sharp cut of his jaw. “I appreciate you looking out for me. It means a lot.”
