"Only if she wants to."I sip on my coffee to hide my expression.
"She'll want to."His tone isn't so much convincing as it is threatening.For a moment, I fear for her safety, but then I remember this is the woman who has taken the photo of the wolf.She must have nerves of steel.
"Are you into running?"He doesn't look like a long-distance runner.Way too much bulk.I slide my gaze over the tattooed skin on his forearm and the muscles playing underneath when he turns the ice cream cone to lick on the other side.Fuck.A shiver goes through me, and I force my eyes away.
"Huh?"
"You said you were heading home for a run."
He stares at me as if he has no idea what I'm talking about."Oh...yeah?"He grimaces in a way that makes me believe he's not into running at all.
"What kind of running?You don't look like a marathon runner, if you don't mind me saying so."
"I can run a marathon."He puffs his chest.
"Good for you."I doubt I can run around the block.I used to run, but it was before Ira.
He shrugs and scrunches his face."We normally go for a run on Saturday mornings."
"You and Zahrah?"Maybe I'm wrong about him being out chasing women every weekend.If he went on runs every Saturday morning, he couldn't be hungover.No one wants to run when hungover.
"Yeah, she's normally there."
I nod and drink some more coffee.I still don't think he looks like a runner.I wouldn't have been surprised if he said he hit the gym every day of the week, but running doesn't fit my image of him.I've been wrong about people before, though.
"I'll bring this back to you tomorrow afternoon if you're home."He taps the paper and licks his ice cream.I stare at his pink tongue for a moment before I can force my gaze away.I'm not thinking dirty thoughts.I'm not.
"If we're not, you can drop it in the mailbox."
He pulls a face."Mailbox?Are you trying to avoid me?"
I smile."Maybe."
"I'll win you over, you wait and see."My breath stutters at the gleam in his eyes.I drink the last of my coffee and focus on Ira, so I won't be caught perving on my neighbor...my eleven years younger neighbor.
I shake my head.It's been a lovely dinner, but it's all it is.A shared meal.I don't have time for anything else, and I sure as hell don't have the energy.It wouldn't have mattered either way.I have nothing to offer a man like Boris.
Ira finishes his ice cream and looks at me.
I place a hand on the table, palm down."Thank you for a lovely dinner, Boris."
"You're running away from me?"It's a whine.
"Yeah, I think we are.It's been a long week, and Fridays normally end with Ira passing out on the couch right about now."
Boris frowns, then he throws up his hands."Fiiine, but I'll see you tomorrow."
I nod and stand."Again, thank you for the food.It was delicious."And exactly what I needed.A night where I didn't have to cook.I hesitate.I should help clean up.
I glance into the kitchen.There are no dirty dishes other than our three plates stacked on the counter."I'll help you clean up."I take a step in the direction of the kitchen.He's in front of me so fast I almost collide with him.
"Absolutely not.I asked you over because you looked tired.I refuse to let you do any cleaning."
I can't help but smile."It's only fair--"
"Nope.Go home, climb into bed, dream about me, and I'll see you tomorrow."
I gape at him."What?"He didn't say what I think he said, right?He glances at Ira, but he's over by the photos, watching the one with the wolf.I shiver.
