But this wasn’t jail, even if Nigel wasn’t convinced.
Jordan’s next steps were slow, casual. Nigel eyed him warily, his eyes following Jordan’s movement as his nose twitched a mile a minute. His furry body was tensed, ready to bolt, so Jordan slowed even more, averting his gaze.
When he made it next to the little guy, he stopped, and shoved his fists in the pockets of his athletic shorts. He let out a low whistle. “Well, it’s kind of chilly out here in the hallway, don’t you think, Nige?” He slowly turned to face the rabbit, taking a minuscule step toward him. “Probably warmer in the apartment.” He made a show of looking at his wrist, where a watch might be if he had one. “Looks like it’s dinnertime too.”
Another step. The bunny kept his eye on him but didn’t jump away. He was so close now. One more step and he could probably scoop him?—
Downstairs, the door to the building’s front entrance opened with its telltale creak, then whooshed shut with a click. Jordan and the bunny both shot a panicked look at the staircase.
Shit. Shit, shit, shit. Only one other person lived here right now, and as usual, her timing was terrible.
The sound of high heels clicking as she ascended the stairs echoed through the upper hallway. Jordan and the rabbit exchanged another glance, but this one held a challenge.
“Oh no you don’t,” Jordan warned, but his words fell flat.
Nigel was already sprinting to the staircase. Jordan leaped to grab him, missing his tail by an inch. He scrambled to chase the animal before he could make the stairs, but true to its species, the rabbit’s hind legs launched it ahead at a speed no human could match.
The collision, when it happened, was inevitable. Vanessa’s hands came up to brace against his chest, while his wrapped around her biceps to keep her from tumbling down the stairs.
Her fragrance hit him milliseconds after her body did. A rich, smoky aroma, like burnt vanilla, that was enticing enough on its own, but layered with the warm, subtle scent of her skin, it was intoxicating. As usual, it permeated him like one of those poisons that altered the mind. Potent and dizzying.
Resentment quickly replaced that moment. As if it wasn’t torture enough that she’d been living rent-free in his mind since that kiss, his body’s reaction to her was even more infuriating. With a muttered curse, he lifted her to the landing.
Naturally, she thanked him with a smack to his arm. “What the hell was that? Watch where you’re going, Zeus.”
Her snooty tone should’ve cooled his blood, but somehow only riled him further. Damn woman with her damn sweet, scented skin and superior attitude.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m trying to save the rabbit.” Leaning forward, he peered past her and down the staircase, searching for the beast in question.
“I don’t know why you’re being testy, when I’m the one who almost got shoved down the stairs,” she said haughtily. “Is this a subconscious thing? You’ve always had it out for me?”
“Have you ever considered that not everything is about you all the time?” He ground his teeth as he stomped down the stairs, checking each step to see if the furball was hiding there. Just his luck that he’d not only lost the fucking rabbit, but he now had to deal with Princess What-About-Me turning everything into the Vanessa Show.
He got to the bottom with no sign of Nigel. He couldn’t have escaped through the closed door. Could he?
A loud throat clearing snapped his attention to the top of the stairs, where Vanessa stood—holding Nigel and appearing far too pleased with herself.
“Looking for him?” The smug smile on her face only increased his irritation.
With a frustrated huff, he stomped back up the stairs. “Where was he?” he demanded, reaching for Nigel.
Vanessa jerked away from him, tucking the bunny closer to her chest. Damn thing all but snuggled against her pillowy breasts.
“Don’t you dare touch him, you big brute. He’s clearly terrified of you.” With a defiant spin, she sashayed toward Sean and Ivy’s door.
What was even the point of arguing with her? All hewanted was to get this over with and go back to his one-window basement suite so he could wither in peace.
She stood expectantly in front of the closed door, stroking her thumb along Nigel’s coat, and Jordan couldn’t help but snort.
“What?” she demanded in that icy, irritated tone she seemed to reserve for him only.
“You gonna open the door?” He folded his arms across his chest to make a point. “You’re standing right in front of it.”
“I’m holding the rabbit you traumatized.”
He ignored the dig. “Nigel is approximately three pounds and the size of a football. Pretty sure you can handle it.”
The tiniest crease marred her perfect forehead, and her lip curled upward in a minuscule sneer. When her gaze swept over him, he couldn’t help the glimmer of satisfaction he got when she lingered at certain parts.
