“You’re one-of-a-kind. If that man has not realized it yet, forget about him.”
“I’m trying, but he’s here now, installing security cameras.”
“Because of the vandalism?”
“Mainly.”
“If you’re scared,Cara, I’ll come to stay with you.”
“That’s sweet, Eduardo. But I’m not scared. Just taking basic precautions.”
“I’m always here for you. Don’t ever hesitate to call.”
“Thanks. You’re a good friend.”
“Dinner next week?” he suggests.
“Sure. Let me check my schedule and get back to you.Ciao.”
“Ciao.”
I disconnect, and having subsisted on only a bagel and a smoothie all day, I turn on the oven to warm up some leftover ribs I brought home. The abrupt rap on my door tells me it’s Stiles. But heeding his warnings and having some fun, I ask in a high, sing-song voice, “Who is it?”
“Stiles.”
I open up with a smile. There are damp sweat marks on his gray T-shirt, and his big, tattooed arms are bulging and glistening. My arousal sparks like Fourth of July fireworks, but he sticks firmly to business.
“I’ve finished the camera and front lock installations. All that’s left is your alarm and peephole.”
I step back to let him in. He sets a box on the floor before closing the door behind him. “You’ll need to download the All Points app that will give you surveillance access. The cameras also record. Here are the fobs for the new lock.” He reaches inside the box and hands me five.
“There are five tenants plus me.”
“Freddy is not a tenant. If he wants a fob, he can fill out the paperwork for a background check.”
“That’s so very subtle of you, Jasper.”
“It’s best practices protocol. Of course, you could skip this step by giving me his full name, and I can run it myself.”
How is it that I simultaneously want to slap this man and strip him naked?
“What’s it gonna be?” He taps his foot impatiently.
Naked for the win! But since I’m trying to be on my best behavior and turning this matter into a battle isn’t worth it, I relent. “Bates, Frederick Bates.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re such a jerk.”
“Sounds like an improvement from jerkass,” he quips, shooting me a full-fledged grin.
AndHo-ly shit! I feel weak in the knees at the upward curve of his full lips, the flash of white, and the crinkling at the corners of his dark eyes. It sends out rays of light like a moonbeam.
“You should do that more often.” Or not, since it has such a liquefying effect.
“Do what?”
“Smile. You have an awesome one, but I’ve never seen you use it until now. Must be all my charm.”
