15. Savannah
fifteen
Savannah
The lab results on the tablet blur together as my mind once again drifts to the most glorious butt and abs I have ever seen. One week later, and I still can’t stop thinking about Nico freaking Romero and his black boxer briefs.
The image of him doing yoga is burned into my retinas forever. If Nico was trying to prove his point about the view…message received. His body was one hell of a spectacle.
Like a creeper, I watched him through the glass door from my kitchen, for longer than I’d like to admit. I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
Nico was shockingly graceful as he moved through each pose with practiced ease. It’s clear he does yoga often. I don’t know why I assumed he wouldn’t. Exercises like that are great for his mobility since he spends the bulk of his time squatting.
“Morning, Dr. Winters.” Talia greets me from behind.
I jump out of my skin at her sudden appearance. “Oh, sh—” I bite back my curse as I check the floor for any little ears that might be close by.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.” Talia covers her mouth to fight back a laugh. Her return to the hospital is timely and necessary. We missed her presence. She’s been in Arizona for a couple of weeks. First for her wedding, and then for her honeymoon. I’m really happy for her.
“It’s fine.” Hand on my chest, I take a deep, calming breath. “Don’t know why that scared me.”
“You were deep into that chart.” She chuckles. Talia grabs a box of sterile gloves from the cabinet.
“Honestly, I don’t even know if I read the numbers.” I shake my head, attempting to clear my thoughts of her brother away.
“It happens. So tell me, how’s the apartment treating you?”
At her question, an image of shirtless Nico pops into my head. I bite back a groan.
Why does he have to be so hot? I shove Nico into the closet and lock it.
“It’s great, actually. I love the view.” The word slips, but luckily Talia is unaware of my mental flogging at admiring her brother’s tight ass.
She claps her hands and smiles. “Yay, I’m so glad you love it.”
“I really do.” Talia is the sweetest. I can’t help smiling along with her. “You could have warned me about my neighbor, though.”
“Sorry?” Talia gnaws on her lip, a guilty look in her eyes.
“You don’t have to apologize. I was just surprised.” I pat her shoulder in reassurance.
“I’m so used to not telling people he’s my brother that I didn’t think about it. Plus, he’s hardly there this time of year. Wait. Is my brother being an ass to you?”
“No, no. Nothing like that,” I assure her.
She narrows her pretty silver eyes at me. They look so much like Nicos’s, and yet his are much darker, like storm clouds that hold more pain after the storm.
“Are you sure?”
I almost fold under her scrutiny and open my big mouth. I’ve told no one about my attraction to Nico.
“I’m sure. He’s been very polite,” I affirm.
If by “polite” she means “cocky flirt who enjoys riling me up”, then yes, he is.
You like it, my brain sings.
I roll my eyes at myself because I do like it, and I hate it. But no amount of flirting will get me to jump into his bed.
The bad boy next door is off limits.
“Good. I’d hate to kick his butt for being rude.” I bite back another groan at the mention of his butt. “I know Nico can come off like a rude ass sometimes, but just ignore it. Deep down, he’s a really great guy.”
That’s what I’m afraid of.
I slide into my parking spot and notice Nico’s space is no longer empty. His flashy black Rolls Royce is back, which can only mean one thing. He’s home. Something a lot like excitement swirls in my stomach.
Nope, do not go there.
Even if Nico turns out to be a great guy, he will always have dated my sister. Girl code is one thing, but sisterhood is stronger.
I squash that excitement with a hammer. Any thought of Nico is a bad idea.
With a new sense of determination to put the bad boy catcher out of my head, I climb out of my car and take the elevator up to my apartment.
Twirling the white card in my hand, I picture Nico and the way his tattooed hand seductively lifted his black card between his long fingers, teasing me. My skin feels hot as I imagine those same fingers sliding over my soft skin, over my breasts, and wrapping around my throat.
The doors open with a ding, pulling me from my dirty daydreams.
Dammit. Why does that keep happening?
Without looking where I’m going, I almost trample a pretty, petite brunette with caramel-colored eyes.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I apologize.
Aside from Mrs. Romero, I haven’t seen anyone on my floor before. My eyes dart to his door and back to the woman.
She chuckles. Her laugh is raspy and thick as if coated in a rich whiskey, like her eyes. “No problem. Are you the new neighbor?”
Her polite question knocks me off balance. “Yes, Savannah. Nice to meet you.”
She places a hand on her chest as she introduces herself. “Same. I’m Sofia.”
My eyes have a mind of their own and check out the beautiful woman.
She’s wearing a vintage Blondie T-shirt that shows off her midriff, a pair of expertly ripped skinny jeans, and a pair of orange Converse.
Not only do her clothes give her a cool chick vibe, but so do her genuine smile and warm eyes.
Jealousy I’ve never experienced rips through me. There could only be one reason she’s on this floor, and I’m guessing it has everything to do with my playboy neighbor.
Her phone rings, and she glances down at the caller. She rolls her eyes at the screen, then smiles back at me. “Work calls. But I’m sure I’ll see you around. Bye Savannah.”
“Bye,” I mumble.
I watch as she rushes into the elevator and disappears from sight. I’m left partly confused at what just happened and a little queasy.
Nico has a…girlfriend?
More like fuck buddy.
What an asshole. I knew he was a womanizer, but it’s a lot harder to swallow when it’s shoved down my throat and I’m forced to confront one of his conquests in the hallway.
Anger rips through me and replaces my nausea. I enter my apartment and throw my bag and keys on the entry table.
I knew Nico was nothing but trouble. Great guy, my ass. That man has spent the last couple of weeks flirting with me and giving me smoldering smiles. For what? To get into my pants. To be another notch on his bedpost.
In the words of the fabulous Cher Horowitz: Ugh, as if.
Loud scraping from outside draws my attention. Nico is out on his balcony, surrounded by large cardboard boxes and a variety of packing material. I sneak closer to the sliding door to get a better look.
In nothing but a hat and a pair of black athletic shorts, Nico lays a large cushion onto the frame of what appears to be a chaise lounge the size of a queen bed on the patio. He adds a few pillows and stares at his work with a smug smile on his stupid, handsome face.
Before today, there wasn’t a single piece of furniture on that balcony. Not even a plant. It was barren like the desert. Now it looks chic and expensive, with matching black and white chairs, a table, and matching rug. He even has one of those heat lamps you find at an outdoor restaurant.
Is he doing this on purpose?
I can’t stop myself from pulling open the door and shouting, “What do you think you are doing?”
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 braids are 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.