At my words, his face lights up and his sexy smirk explodes into a sexy grin. “We’ve got a lot in common.”
The laugh that comes from me is anything but lady-like. It’s more like a snort. “It’s entirely two different worlds. The only thing we share is our creative brain. You work with a needle buzzing and I work with an entire art supply store and computer software.”
He moves closer to me. “Nah. Not too different. Just because I create on a skin canvas instead of paper doesn’t mean we’re in different worlds. What area do you specialize in?” He’s genuinely curious.
“All, but I prefer advertising.”
“And your work is everywhere to be judged. As is most of mine.” Another step closer. Satisfaction ghosts across his lips. His stare is penetrating. “Are you scared of heights?”
Ripping my gaze from his, I glance to the ledge. Every action-packed movie flashes behind my eyelids—people leaping from rooftop to rooftop, swinging from a rope to a floor below as they dodge bullets. Falling to my death…
“Somewhat.” It’s truthful.
He grasps my hand and gently begins pulling me closer to the side. I freeze, digging my heels in. “I do—”
A yelp escapes me when he tugs hard, yanking me against his body. My free hand flies up to his chest to stable my stumble. He brings my other hand up, and places it beside the other. “Trust me.”
He smells good, dangerously good—like mahogany, teakwood, and soft lavender. It’s sweet and sexy. His tongue darts out and sweeps across his bottom lip. My gaze falls to the motion. We’re so close. All I’d have to do is raise to my toes and I could have his lips on mine.
“I don’t know you.” I’m breathless.
“I’m working on that.” His tone is low. Heat licks through my body, warming the blood in my veins with a burning lust. “You already know I won’t let anything happen to you.”
My gut says to trust him.
My mind says to run away screaming.
My body is still stuck on kissing him.
He takes a step away, keeping a hold on my hand and leads me to the ledge. I stall, ripping my hand back to my side when he hops up on the edge.
“This is as far as I’m willing to go.” I hate that my voice trembles.
He squats and then sits, kicking his legs off the side. “Sit.”
No. He’s crazy.
My feet move. What the hell am I doing?
I inch closer, taking a deep breath, and place my butt to the ledge while keeping my feet securely planted on the rooftop. I take another huge breath, twist slowly, and swing my legs over the edge. My grip on the side is white knuckled and the air I have left in my lungs rushes out at the sight.
Night has fallen around us. Lights from building occupants across the city litter the night sky. There isn’t much noise from the busy streets below us. My body buzzes with fear, with exhilaration.
“When my days bleed into the next and my thoughts drown me and clog up my creative side, I come here. Helps clear the stress.”
My grip hasn’t faltered. “You could do the same thing safely in a bath.”
He chuckles. “Cramming my ass into a bathtub seems the opposite of relaxing.”
“Hot tub, maybe?”
“Too much bacteria in those. This is safer.”
Is he serious? I snort. “This? Dangling on the side of a building is safer?”
“Won’t fall unless I leap and I’m positive my wings are broken.”
A comfortable silence settles around us. Time seems to pass but stand completely still all the same. It’s as peaceful as it is frightening.
The distant sound of a horn makes it to my ears and my tranquility is shattered. I move off the edge and find my footing under my shaky legs.
“Did you drive?” he asks.
“I don’t need a car in the city.”
He spins, and jumps off the ledge. “Can I walk you home? It’s late.”
“I’ve walked my way home in the dark many times. I’ll be fine.”
Instead of voicing the argument in his eyes, he leads us back down the fire escape, into the alleyway and pauses on the sidewalk.
“Which way?” he asks. I open my mouth to protest but he cuts in. “Either you let me see you home or I’ll follow you to make sure you get there safely. It’s your choice.”
The last time he followed me, I didn’t have the choice. As much as it’s creeperish, it’s also sweet.
“You’re not coming in.” I sound like a bitch, but I know if he comes in, I’ll be tempted to do things. Things I shouldn’t.
Like he knows my thoughts, the corners of his lips quirk up. “I didn’t say I would.”
We talk about work side by side—mostly me listening to him describe some of the tattoos he’s done. It’s comfortable, like something we’ve done a hundred times before. Unfortunately, time never seems to move slowly when you want it to, and before too long, we’re standing in front of my building.
“This is me.”
“Let me see your phone.” He holds out his hand.
My face pinches. “For what?”
“Let me see it.”
“No.” I laugh, but it’s sucked back into my throat when he puts himself inches away from me. The heat from his body reaches out and warms me. He rubs my arm, his palm hot against my skin.
“Are you always this stubborn?” His voice is low and husky, sexy, and it sends a zing down my spine.
“Yes,” I answer honestly.
His smile can cause fires in every woman’s panties within a mile radius. He bends, bringing his mouth closer, but doesn’t touch mine. I’m suffocated with the want to kiss him. There’s a devious tic in his brow. He glances to my mouth, licks his lips and flicks his darkened gaze back up. I’m consumed by him, all of him. My body comes alive with sexual tension.
And it falls flat when he takes a step back, dangling my phone in front of my face.
“What the hell?” I feel my back pocket where it should be, but find it empty. “How’d you—”
“You really should put a password on this.” He barks a laugh, twisting his body to fend off my grabby hands. His laughter echoes around us, his shoulders shaking as his thumbs work.
He holds it out and I snatch it back.
“You have my number now. Call me tomorrow and let me know your answer.”
Did I miss something? “My answer to what?”
“If you’ll let me take you to dinner tomorrow night.”
“Who asks people on a date like this?” I ask, slightly humiliated that I allowed myself to get so caught up in him that I didn’t feel him take my phone. “I’m not inter—”
“No fancy restaurants or long romantic walks on the beach. Just dinner.”
I mash my lips together.
“Just think about it. Let me know before lunch.” He gives me a chin tip and strolls away without giving me wiggle room to argue.
I watch as his back disappears into the distance without ever looking back.
What the hell just happened?
Chapter Eight
My phone vibrates on the nightstand with a low humming racket that rips me from my sleep. I reach out and seize it, blinking the screen into focus. Normally, I’d turn the damn thing off, but I’m anxious to hear from Kenlyn. And because of her, I didn’t sleep for shit. Her number on my phone from the text I sent myself taunted me.