She stands and dusts off her hands. “Well. That was unexpectedly civil. And kind of… nice?”
I follow her out into the night, still unsure how I ended up in this part of the city, eating pastries with a woman who doesn’t see me. Not really. Not the way most women do.
A woman who has no idea she’s the most captivating thing I’ve seen in years.
We walk in silence. The kind of silence that feels peaceful. Maybe we’re just both tired. Or perhaps we exhausted all the topics.
I don’t need to fill it, though. It’s a real moment that doesn’t require trying.
No double-takes. No coy smiles. No sideways glances inviting me to make my move.
Just the two of us walking down the street until we reach her building. A bit too soon if you ask me.
Cora turns to me. “Thanks for the sugar.”
“Anytime.”
I step closer. More on autopilot. There needs to be a kiss after an evening like this. I think.
When was the last time I walked a woman to her door? Never. What are the expectations here?
She clearly doesn’t want to sleep with me. I’ll lick my wounds later.
I don’t want to screw this up. Why do I care? Fuck if I know.
She licks her lips, and her gaze softens as she looks up at me, that almost-smile gone now. Her eyes shine with… Is it an invitation?
Everything goes still as I lean down slightly. But I don’t close the distance. Cora Winslow feels like an all-or-nothing girl.
And I’m not ready for all. “Goodnight, Cora.”
She tilts her head sideways again, studying me like I’m a half-finished puzzle she doesn’t trust enough to solve. Like she is surprised I didn’t kiss her. Or I’m projecting.
Just because I can have something doesn’t mean I want it.
“Why did you take me out, Xander?”
“I don’t know,” I admit.
She studies me for a moment longer and then nods once. “Goodnight, Stone.”
I watch her go inside and close the door.
She disappears into an elevator, and the lights die, and I still stand there, watching the darkness like a fucking idiot.
Still not having kissed her.
Still wanting to.
Chapter 2
Cora
You all disappeared on me last night.
Saar
You seemed under the spell of Xander.
