At the sound of my voice, Nico’s head snaps in my direction.
In a heated caress, his gray eyes gleam under the brim of his hat as they travel down the length of my body. He licks his plump bottom lip and slowly returns his gaze to mine. I fight the icy-hot shivers tingling my spine, triggered by his ogling of my body. My braidsare ratty, and I’m wearing dirty scrubs, and yet his appreciation is…satisfying?
He makes me feel seen and sexy. Just as I am.
Oh, gah, what is wrong with me?
I do not want Nico’s appreciation. He just had a woman over. I really need to shut down my attraction to him. I garner every ounce of anger I can find inside me and use it like armor, ready to protect myself from him and his sinful charm.
“What does it look like I’m doing?” he drawls.
“It looks like you’re trying to annoy me.” I point at the chaise.
“How is putting furniture on my patio annoying you?” Nico smirks at me as he slowly flips his hat around.
Oh, holy hell, that was hot.
I am no match for the potent sexual appeal that pours off him in waves.
Do not let him manipulate you with his hotness.
Standing my ground, I move to the edge of my balcony that’s closest to his. There’s a foot of space between our two patios, and right now, under his intense scrutiny, I wish the chasm was much larger. “You know exactly how you’re annoying me.”
Nico strides—no, he swaggers—to the edge of his balcony with the confidence of a man that has never lost a battle in his life. “Is it because you like the view and you won’t be able to keep your eyes off me if I’m out here?”
“Keep dreaming, baseball boy,” I scoff.
He grips the railing and leans closer, making it impossible not to breathe in his delicious, leathery scent. My traitorous body wants to inhale every particle of his masculine cologne and lick him from head to toe.
I can feel my cheeks heat, and I hope he can’t tell just how turned on I am by him. Crossing my arms, I shield myself as best I can from the dangerous man next door.
“I know you’ve lived in this building for years and hardly ever come out here. So why now?” I glare at him.
“Why not now?”
We stare at one another in a silent standoff.
“Seriously?”
“Maybe I just appreciate the view.” His eyes bounce to my feet and back.
“Don’t.” I shove his shoulder, and he grips my small wrist in his large hand, sending a bolt of electricity through me.
I gasp at the surprising sensation.
“Don’t what, vicious?”
“Don’t bother putting your moves on me,Nicky,” I snap sarcastically.
His eyes widen in surprise and simultaneously darken at my tone.
“I know how you operate. I saw the woman in the hallway, and I won’t be another woman you bed for fun.”
Nico rears back. “What the fuck?”
“You heard me.” I pull my wrist free. “If you plan on being out here, at least have the decency to leave me alone.”
I stomp off, leaving behind a bewildered Nico.
