He sat up and reached for his jeans, annoyed and a bit hurt by her easy dismissal of their night together. Snatching up his shirt, he found her bra and laid it on the coffee table before putting on his shoes. Granted, her job was important to her but they’d had sex, great sex, only a few hours before. “It’s right here.”
She snatched it up, shoved it in her pocket, and donned the sweater without it. The slinky material clung to her breasts, her nipples peaked. He flexed his fingers, aching to cup the weight in his palm again, to hear seductive moans emanating from deep in her throat. She slipped on her boots without her socks and strode to the door.
“You have your phone. Make the call from here.” Wow, way to sound desperate. He followed her out of his apartment and down the stairs to the kitchen. Shit. He’d have to ditch the batch of rum ball batter since it’d set out too long and he would be forced to use his reserve, yet more work.
Alice said nothing in response to his suggestion. She gathered her laptop, phone, and coat, and shot through the door. He followed, rushing to keep up with her frantic strides.
“What are you doing?” she asked, face flushed, brow creased.
He slipped his hand into her free one and linked her fingers with his. It was still dark outside and the streets were fairly deserted. “Walking you home.”
“That’s sweet but unnecessary. You never finished the rum balls,” Alice said, long legs eating up the pavement. She didn’t drop his hand. A good sign given her rush to leave his side.
“Either I walk with you, or I stalk you, your choice.”
A grin softened her jaw and she squeezed his hand. “Geez and I thought I was stubborn.”
“I think you’re stubborn too.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. “So now what?”
“Now what, what?” she asked, rounding the corner of Second Avenue toward Grace’s condo.
“Us. We had a pretty intense night,” he said, trying to phrase his words in the right way. She was skittish and he couldn’t blame her for being so. He wasn’t exactly certain about them either. His life was difficult and it wasn’t fair to ask anyone to be part of the crazy.
“We did and I don’t know.” She stopped in front of the condo building and turned to look at him, blue gaze earnest. “It’s so complicated with you and with me and…” she shook her head and glanced over his shoulder, avoiding his eyes.
He settled his knuckle under her chin. Her mouth parted and he brushed his lips across hers. “Let’s not label what we have. Let’s simply go with it while we can.”
A smile curved her lips and she rose up on her toes, mouth seeking his once more. He settled his hand on the small of her back, wishing things could be more cut and dried, but she was right. “I’ll see you later, then?”
“Yes. I have to go,” she said and rushed inside the building.
He waited until she disappeared before he turned back the way he came. She’d taken up real estate in his head and whatever this was, he’d play it by ear and see where it led.
Either to a future or a dead end. Only fate would know.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Alice rushed inside the quiet building and pressed the elevator button. She glanced down at her cell phone. Six minutes until the call with the donor program. She couldn’t miss it, nor could she risk Niko overhearing the conversation.
The elevator dinged and Alice stepped in as Brooke waved at her. “Hold the elevator, Alice.”
Holy crap. Had Brooke seen her kissing Niko? Not that it mattered, except she didn’t want anyone to know about them. Not that there was anything between them. Yeah, right.
Stop lying to yourself. You spent an explosive night with the most sensual man you’ve ever met. And sex with him had definitely lived up to her imagination.
Her sister slipped inside and cast Alice a curious glance. “What are you doing up so early?”
“I have a conference call. Are you just getting in?” Alice asked, loosening her jaw and trying to act casual while inside her head she willed the elevator to move faster.
“Yep, we went to an after-hours club. What about you?”
“I worked late on set,” Alice said, glad when the doors opened on the tenth floor. She strode through the hallway to Grace’s place, Brooke trailing behind her. “Do you have the key handy?”
Alice’s was in her purse.
At Niko’s.
