Number Neighbor

Part 12

It wasn't his means of getting in my pants. He meant it. I could see it in the way he looked at me. He was focused and driven around everyone else, but the moment his eyes settled on me they softened, and he relaxed.

"I'm aware," I grinned. Our hands laced together, and he played with my fingers. "Two beautiful people just hanging out. Do you want to come up for a drink?"

He shook his head. "I told you don't invite me up." He shook his head, wrinkling his nose.

"I did. I totally invited you up."

He moistened his lips. "If I go up there, there is no telling what will happen."

I laughed. "You are so sure of yourself. It's cute. I promise you nothing will happen."

"Not even a, huh?" His eyes stayed pinned to mine. A devilish grin appearing.

I closed my eyes inhaling all the air I could. Colby was getting to me and he knew it. I didn't kiss on first dates. But this chemistry, I rose up on my tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. "There."

But then he smiled, that lopsided smile. And my fingers tangled with his hair, curling around his dark locks, I guided him down to my mouth. My lips meeting up with his. And we shared our first kiss—this guy was going to be trouble. But I didn't care when his lips were on mine.

His hands running down my back, softly trailing down my spine, ending on the curve of my ass.

We broke apart. "That was a kiss." His lips pressed against mine like heat, searing into my flesh. Taking what he wanted again. He grabbed the back of my head and deepened our kiss. There was magic in his lips. Freaking magic.

"My god."

"Still think I should come up stairs?"

The flavor of his kiss was still alive on my tongue—minty with a hint of scotch.

I looked away but his hand caught my chin forcing me back. "I think I should go."

I nodded. "I think so too."

He stroked my cheek. "I'm glad we got to meet up. We should do it again some time, number neighbor."

He rounded his car, I wondered if he knew what he was doing to me. If that was the way he liked things to be. Or if we were just that compatible.

He rolled the window down and smiled at me. "Get inside, I'm not going to leave you out here all alone."

I fidgeted with the hem of my dress. "Goodnight, Cole."

I headed for my apartment, turning back to take another look at him. His eyes heated, and he was wearing a cocky smirk on his lips. I stepped inside and shut the door behind me.

"Fuck. What the fuck just happened?"

Colby: Tell me what you're thinking right now.

Now why would I do that? That would be so stupid. I pulled the door open to my place and went inside.

Sage: That's not a good idea.

Colby: Why not?

Sage: Because you'd probably turn around and come back.

Colby: Who said I left?

Sage: I hope you did.

Colby: I did. I'm getting on the expressway right now.

Sage: Texting and driving don't mix.

Colby: Hands free is the way to be.

***

I stood in the middle of the art studio studying my work. It just wasn't speaking to me. This was what I got for coming in early to work. A whole lot of nothing. I checked my watch, wiping the back of my hand across my forehead. The blue jean overalls I was wearing were covered in streaks of white paint. I had a deadline.

Colby: What are you doing right now?

Sage: Regretting my life choices. Maybe I should have chosen a different career.

Colby: Oh, shut up. I saw your work last night.

Sage: You shut up. Not all art is the same. This one is depleting me. But I'll recover. I always hate the beginning of a new project. What are you up to?

Colby: Thinking about you.

Sage: Ha. Well that will not get you anywhere.

Colby: No really. I want to see you. Like right now. Even if just for five minutes. Is that okay?

Sage: Is everything okay?

Colby: No, not really.

Sage: Okay. I'm in the art studio on Bancroft.