My mind is a million miles away as I climb the stairs to my apartment. Work was exhausting, and all I can think about is kicking off my shoes and collapsing into bed.
My only focus is making it to my apartment—until a sharp voice cuts through my haze.
“Watch it!”
I stumble to a stop, my heart jumping into my throat.
I glance up, and it’s my new neighbor. My new gorgeous neighbor.
My breath hitches, and before I can stop it, warmth rushes to my cheeks. I can only hope he doesn’t notice the sudden blush creeping up my face.
I’ve seen him around a few times, but I haven’t quite built up the courage to say hi. I work at a diner, so talking to strangers comes naturally—I’d even call myself a people person.
But something about the way he carries himself—so composed, so intense—it makes him feel unapproachable.
He’s got a military-style haircut and deep blue eyes that are impossible to ignore. Tattoos crawl up his neck and disappear under his shirt.
He’s even hotter up close!
I take a step back, creating some space between us.
I clear my throat and extend my hand, offering a friendly smile.
“Hi, I’m Taylor Walker,” I say, trying to sound welcoming without making a fool of myself. “And you are?”
He looks at me like I’m the last thing he wants to deal with.
“Annoyed,” he grumbles and brushes past me up the stairs.
Once inside my apartment, I sift through my mail.
“Bills. Bills. Bills,” I mutter to myself.
I’ll deal with those later. Right now, I need a cup of coffee before I get ready for my date with Elliot.
Coffee is my vice. I need at least four cups a day, and that’s on a good day.
As I make my coffee, I reach for a disposable cup.
I question whether making a cup of coffee for a neighbor I don’t know is a good idea, but I want to make up for the interaction in the staircase.
I wonder if he takes sugar or milk. He strikes me as a black coffee kind of guy.
I nervously bite my lip as I step out of my apartment.
I clear my throat, knocking on his door.
Silence.
I knock again.
“What the fuck do you want?” he barks, yanking the door open.
My heart skips a beat—maybe it’s those intense blue eyes, staring at me like they can see right through me.
I force a smile, trying to hide my nerves.
“I just wanted to officially welcome you to the building,” I say, handing him the coffee.
He takes a drag from his cigar, his gaze traveling from my feet to my face.
“Are you here because you want to fuck?”
I’m so shocked I can barely speak.
“What? No!” I practically shout.
He chuckles at my reaction.
“That’s what I thought.” He starts to close the door.
“Hold on. At least tell me your name,” I insist, refusing to back down. I place a hand on my chest, adding a touch of drama. “Don’t tell me a big guy like you is scared of a little woman like me.” I can’t resist teasing him.
I’m barely five feet tall and he’s got to be over six. He’s like a mountain.
He takes the coffee from my hand.
“I’m not scared of shit. Thanks for the coffee, buttercup.” Then he slams the door in my face.
That’s it!
He can’t just take my coffee and not answer my question.
I knock on his door again, harder this time.
“Leave me the fuck alone!” he growls as he opens the door again.
I shake my head, standing my ground.
“Not until you tell me your name. It’s only polite.”
“You won’t leave me the fuck alone, will you?” he says, exasperated. “Owen Blake. Now piss off!”
Once again, the door slams shut.
I can’t help but smirk as I head back to my apartment. I feel like I won, and now I know my new neighbor’s name: Owen Blake.
I gulp down my coffee and dash into the bathroom for a quick shower.
Elliot and I have been together for over a year. He wants me to move in with him, but I’m not ready to give up my independence or my apartment.
After my shower, I stare at my closet and wonder what to wear. I decide on my green cocktail dress and black heels. I put on just a touch of makeup.
My cell phone rings from the kitchen, and I see it’s Elliot calling. “Hi, Elliot.”
“Hey, sweetheart. I hate to do this, but I need to postpone our date. There’s a crisis at work.”
I sigh. This isn’t the first time this has happened—work crises have been happening more and more lately.
“I could swing by tomorrow instead,” he offers.
“Okay.”
“I really am sorry, but I have to run. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He ends the call before I can even say goodbye.
I got all dolled up for nothing.
I need to clear my head.
I snatch my jacket and head upstairs to the rooftop. It’s my favorite spot to think.
Once I’m there, I gaze up at the sky. The moon is full and beautiful tonight.
A noise catches my attention, and when I turn to see what it is, I nearly jump out of my skin at the sight of a shadow nearby.
“Easy there, buttercup. It’s just me.” Owen grins as he struts toward me.
