I rub my fingers over my forehead.Great, now he's pitying me.I don't need another reminder of the fact I'm broken."I'm fine.Stop the pity voice."
"Ah, the high and mighty Alisha has resurfaced."
I glance at him.His expression and body language are unreadable.This is Mr.Walker, the bulldozer.
With long strides, he moves away."Follow me," he says.
After a deep inhale, I move.When I enter the next room, I can't help but let out my direct thoughts."Goddamn, everything is big in this house."When my eyes meet his, he has a cheeky smirk on his face as he crosses his arms in front of his chest, making him appear even bigger.If he'd hug me, I...Stop it, don't go there.
"Samantha has your eyes," I start, trying to break the silence that's feeling too heavy.I focus on his fully automatic coffee machine while talking further."She's a sweet girl.It must've been a surprise finding out you've got a daughter."
From the corner of my eyes, I detect him stroking his jawline."Surprised isn't the word I'd use," he says."She might be nice to you, but ever since she arrived here, everything I say and do is wrong."His voice changes, vulnerability seeping through the cracks in his armor."I...I'm clueless.She lost her mom, and now she's with me.And I don't know shit about teenage girls."
Something in my chest softens at his confession."Don't take it too personally.She's adjusting to you and her new surroundings.Talk to her."
"What am I supposed to talk to her about?What interests teenagers these days?"
I can't help but smile when a bold idea pops into my head.I straighten my spine and push my chin up in the air to address him."Okay, Grumpy, I've got an offer for you."
Something electric crackles between us as I make my offer."If you rent me that apartment, I'll help you with Samantha."
His expression shifts from surprise to intrigue, that predatory focus making my pulse jump."And how are you going to help?"
"Don't break your brain over that.Leave that up to me.I've been a teenage girl myself.I've got ideas."
His intensity makes my pulse jump, but I tell myself to keep cool.Don't let him see how much he affects every inch of your body.
"I've got a counteroffer for you."
What?
His eyes get a daring glow while his fingers brush from his jaw to his chin."I'll rent the apartment to you if you promise me you'll take self-defense lessons."
My mouth opens to react to that ridiculous extra demand, but he stops me by merely shaking his head.
"No discussion or negotiation possible.That is the last offer."He covers the distance between us, and I hold my breath.Note to self: Always wear high heels around him.A wave of fresh apples and a deep base scent of sandalwood infiltrate my nose.I inhale deeper—delicious.
"Take it or leave it."He holds out his hand, and without a second thought, I place mine in his.
His touch is like a live wire—sending sparks shooting up my arm.As he wraps his fingers around my hand, it feels as if he's embracing my entire body in a tight, comforting hug.My skin tingles where we connect, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.
"Sealed, Alisha."
The way my name rolls off his tongue should be illegal.His thumb brushes across my knuckles before he releases my hand, and I have to lock my knees to stay upright.
What have I done?
I've just agreed to take self-defense lessons—probably with some muscle-bound meathead who'll try to prove how tough he is.And I've promised to help Cole with his teenage daughter crisis.All while moving into his building where I'll probably run into him in the elevator, the lobby, the—
Oh shit.
What started as a solution to my stalker problem just turned into a whole different kind of danger.Because Cole Walker might be exactly what I need, but he's definitely not what I want.
Right?
Fuck.
6
