"Are you his girlfriend?"
I cough, nearly choking on the chocolate."Oh, no.I'm a friend."
We stay silent, and I can sense she's still observing me."You're stunning.I love your clothing and makeup style."
I glance her way, and at that moment, I see a shy teenager who struggles with herself and her unfamiliar environment."Can you talk to him?I don't know how.He doesn't talk very much.Please, Alisha."
I meet the tint-lighter, female version of those bright blue eyes and find myself replying."Sure, I'll try."
"Thank you."She pops out another chocolate and turns on the flat-screen television hanging on the wall, and I make my way to the door.
"See you later, Samantha."
She sends me a smile as I leave.
As I walk back to the living room over the wide-plank hardwood floor with light-colored finish, I chuckle.His interior suits him.The broad couch and the robust wood and metal dining table remind me of his solid, muscular body.Stop it, Alisha.Focus.
When my eyes wander outside, I open the sliding door and walk to the middle of his enormous terrace and find myself in awe.God, this view is extraordinary.From here, you can see the Charles River and Boston Harbor.
"Gorgeous, isn't it?"Cole's deep voice startles me, and I rotate.He's taking me in while resting his weight against the doorframe.When his eyes settle on my six-inch heels, they stop.
"You like my shoes?"The words slip out before I can stop them.
His eyes meet mine, andholy hell- whoever said blue was a cold color never saw these bad boys.They're the kind of blue that should come with a warning label: 'Caution: 'Bulldozer Blue - Known to cause spontaneous combustion in unsuspecting women.'For fuck's sake, brain, stop writing Crayola commercial pitches and focus.
"Where's Amanda?"I ask, trying to calm my nerves.
"She had to go.She said she'd call you later."
Oh, you brown snake.You left on purpose.
"Amanda mentioned you wanted to ask me something important?"
My breathing pattern gets irregular when Cole moves my way.When we're one step apart, he stops, looming over me like a sexy skyscraper.Get it together, girl.
"Why did you come here, Alisha?"
This is the first time he says my name, and the way he pronounces it is like listening to your favorite song that you have on repeat."I-I...fuck."
His lips curl into a smug grin, which awakens my obstinate side.
"Oh, don't bother."I step to the side to pass him, but he extends his muscular arm sideways, stopping me from passing him.
"Why do you want to rent the apartment?"
My chin lifts, and my nostrils flare."Since you're aware of what I want to ask, I don't have to repeat it."
His smug grin reappears, and I hate it for affecting me.But it does.A jolt of electricity shoots through my spine, and it awakens a tingling sensation in my lower abdomen.
"That's not how it works.You need to ask me," he whispers.
"If you expect me to beg for the apartment," I spit out, "you can go to hell.I'd rather live on the street than beg."I bend and shoot under his stretched arm and strut inside."Good luck with Samantha.You'll need it."
My heels click on the floor as I walk to the front door.When I'm ready to open it, a hand smashes against the wood, and I cringe.My shoulders shoot to my ears, and my heartbeat shifts to a higher gear.I close my eyes and lean against the door as my legs tremble.A hand touches my shoulder, which makes me flinch.
"Don't touch me," I whimper, while turning to face him.Shit, why now?In front of him.
"Hey, I'm sorry.Are you okay?"
