I didn’t know what I was doing.

His frown deepened. “Whose is that?”

I didn’t think. I answered, “My dead husband’s.” The buzzer sounded again, and I hurried out, pressing the camera. Cole moved behind me and peered over my shoulder. It was Dorian. I hit the accept button and started to ask, “Why is my building manager—”

Cole’s hand touched the small of my back. I stopped talking once again.

“He’s here for me.”

“Oh.” Well, of course. That made sense. I registered that Cole hadn’t put on the robe. He was in his shirt and jeans, barefoot.

The elevator doors started to slide open. Cole glanced down. “Can you give us a minute?”

“Oh.”

I sounded ridiculous. I went to my bedroom, cursing myself. I already knew what I was going to do. I tiptoed to the edge of the hallway, keeping to the side so neither of them could see me.

Their heads were bent together, and I could hear murmuring. I pulled back, just in case they looked over.

“…sure?” Cole’s voice rose a tiny bit.

“I’m sorry.”

Dorian didn’t sound it, though.

Cole grunted. “I’m sure you are.”

“I didn’t tell you to sleep here.”

“Lower your voice.”

Back to murmurings. I waited, but after another thirty seconds of whispered conversation, I knew I wasn’t going to hear anything else. I began edging backward, tiptoeing soundlessly all the way to my bed. I sat. I folded my hands in my lap, and it was then that the events of the previous night began hitting me.

Sex.

Hot sex.

All night long.

We’d only stopped forty—I glanced at the clock again—or so minutes ago. I winced. It was more like thirty minutes.

Raking a hand through my hair, I caught a whiff of my breath and recoiled. No wonder Cole wanted space. Going to the bathroom, I closed the door and started the routine I did every morning. Showered. Brushed my teeth. I was getting ready for the day. It’d be a sluggish one, but I wouldn’t be able to sleep anymore.

I was wrapped in a towel and grabbing my clothes when I heard the elevator doors close.

I waited for the soft sounds of bare feet, but none came.

Suddenly, Cole was in the closet doorway.

I shrieked. “Holy fuck, fuck! Seriously?” My heart lodged itself in the back of my throat. “I just had a heart attack. Make some sound next time, please.”

Cole propped a shoulder against the doorframe and folded his arms over his chest. He smirked, his eyes showing his amusement. “You’re cute when you’re worked up.”

I groaned, ignoring the little flip my stomach did when he teased me. “Whatever. I’ll return the favor and see how you like it.”

The amusement vanished. “You can’t.”

“What?”

“You can’t scare me like that. Ever.”

“Why not?” I clutched my shirt and jeans.

“Because…” He ran a hand over his head. “I’m a trained fighter. I could hurt you. I don’t want to ever hurt you.”

Oh…Oh! “Is that what you do for a living?”

“What?” He looked confused for a moment. “No.” He folded his arms over his chest. “Just don’t scare me like that. I can’t promise I won’t react. I mean it, Addison. I never want to hurt you.”

I could feel a but coming. Not about me, but about him standing there, looking appetizing, and not staying. I sighed. “And you have to go?”

He nodded. “I do. I’d like to see you again. Tonight? We’ll stay for dinner this time.”

I almost smiled. Almost. “No running today?”

“Not today. Seems my little vacation is over. I’ll be gone all day.”

“Okay.” I rubbed at my forehead. “It’s Saturday. I won’t have anything going on tonight.”

The chuckle grew to a soft laugh. He crossed to me and leaned close. I closed my eyes just as his lips touched my lips. That felt nice, nicer than it should’ve. He rested his lips there, then pulled away. I could feel his reluctance.

“Tonight.” He didn’t move all the way back. He gazed down at me.

“Do you know what time?”

“Not yet, but when I do, I’ll call.” He frowned again. “And if you want to make plans, go for it. I can wait to see you another night. I understand.”

“Yeah. Sure.” That wasn’t going to happen. “Me, social creature here.”

The corner of his mouth lifted again. “I’ll see you.”

“Tonight.”

He began walking backward. “Tonight.”

Then he turned the corner. I heard the elevator take him away, and I was back to being alone.

Well.

To say I had things on my mind would be an understatement. There was a complete hurricane in my mind—but no. I’d promised myself last night that I wouldn’t regret anything, and I was sticking to it. I’d just also chosen this time to finally finish the last of my unpacking. Anything that wasn’t put away already got a spot, and was categorized. Then color-coded.

I didn’t regret my night with Cole. It was the opposite.

I kept glancing at my phone. I told myself it wasn’t because of him. This wasn’t high school. This wasn’t a crush, but the fluttering in my stomach didn’t reassure me. The other person I kept expecting to hear from, which was more logical since I’d texted her the night before, was Sia.