“Carrying your bags for you, Cookie,” I say, flashing her a grin. “That’s obvious, isn’t it?”
Her eyes widen.
Her mouth opens.
Closes.
And for just a second?
She looks completely thrown.
Yeah. That’s right, sweetheart.
You can block my number.
You can dodge my calls.
But you’re not getting rid of me that easy.
“Oh, um, okay,” she murmurs, stepping past me.
The stairwell is narrow—blessedly, perfectly narrow—and as she squeezes by, her body brushes mine.
Soft.
Plush.
Mine.
A low growl slips out before I can stop it, my Tiger stretching against my skin like he’s finally getting closer to something he’s been chasing for days.
She either doesn’t notice or pretends not to.
Smart girl.
She reaches the top of the stairs and fumbles with the door, pushing it open without even looking.
“You always leave that unlocked?” I ask, already frowning.
“Oh, um, actually I don’t know?” she says with a shrug, like it’s no big deal.
My jaw tightens.
That’s a problem.
A big one.
She can’t be doing shit like that.
Not here.
Not alone.
Not when anything can happen.
I cut that thought off before it spirals.
Still, I make a mental note.
