Chapter 24
Vivian
“I’ll check your status.” She bats her lashes, then darts to the takeout window.[]
EN
I tap my three–inch stacked Converse, waiting for him to notice the angry girl next to him, but he’s too busy watching the swing in Kendra’s hips.
I scan the Pythons sweatshirt he’s wearing, and it dawns on me. Of course! It’s him.]]
Jesus. Is he everywhere?
Tuck Avery. Professional footballer. Lives in the penthouse of my building. Tawny hair, angular face, big muscles. Arrogant.]
I ease the aluminum container of napkins from the bakery case closer to me, then knock it to the floor. A grunt comes from him when it bounces and lands on his foot.
I blink. “Oops.”
He bends to pick up the container, then frowns as he rakes his eyes over me. “Did you throw this at me?” Apparently, I’m not quite a ninja.[]
someone behind me, a male, murmurs an affirmative: “Yeah, she did.“]]
My adrenaline spikes, and sweat builds on my face. Part of me wants to play it off as an accident, but…[]
“Um… yes?“[]
“What’s wrong with you?” he snaps as he places it back on the bakery case.
My heart thumps like a war drum in my chest as I push out my words in a gravelly voice. “She called my name; then you cut me off before I reached the counter.“[
Have I mentioned I’ve passed him in the lobby of our building? He never speaks, just keeps his head down and stalks away. He doesn’t want to mingle with the peons who live below him.[]
“Welcome to New York. Get used to fighting for a spot,” he mutters.
“Right, right. I’ve lived here for years. Not everyone is rude. You think you can do whatever you want because of who you are. Princess.” I grunt.
The takeout area goes dead quiet. I hadn’t realized we’d drawn attention, and I lick my lips as I look around.[]
I could have you arrested,” he says. “That“-he points at the napkin dispenser-“was assault.”
“Fight, fight, fight! Kick his ass!” a guy calls from behind me.[]
Tuck sends hin a death glare, then leans into my personal space. His scent wafts around me, spice with a hint of peppermint. Like a sexy Christmas. It’s a cologne I recognize, something yummy and expensive, but I can’t focus as my stomach flip–flops with nausea. It’s not my usual “I’m anxious” queasy. It’s a new one, and its decided his cologne is disgusting.]
Phones are recording this,” he hisses. “Do you want to be known on Twitter as the girl who attacked me?:[]
“Are you hurt?”
“I asked you a question “[]
“You aren’t hurt
“Are you a doctorr
fuzziness dances in toy head as 1 clench the edge of the counter to stop myself from swaying. A bone deep exhaustion washes over me. Swallowing, I glance at the server. “Kendra, you said Vivian. I’ll take my order now.” She darts her gaze from me to him []
“Kendra?” I ask, my voice rising sharply “Now.” She fumbles around, then hands over my order [
“Thank you” I leave and make my way through the crowd
A print open the door and step out to a drizzle on Fifth Avenue. I lean against the brick wall, letting rain fall on my face as I take deep breaths. What is wrong with me? I’ve never acted so childish-
“I can’t believe you” comes a male voice!]
Chapter 24
Holy cow.
He’s followed me![]
I turn, and there he stands, arms crossed. A streetlamp creates a golden halo around him, and I blink. He really is beautiful. Tall. Chin–length wavy hair. Diamond–cut cheekbones. Perfect full, bitable lips.
As if angels carved him themselves.[]
Too bad he’s a devil.]]
I hold up my takeout bag. “I have pepper spray.“[]
He points at the passing pedestrians. “I’m not going to hurt you with people around.“[]
“Would you if we were alone?“[]
“I don’t hurt women,” he says, lids lowering. “But you do test me.“[]
“Same page,” I mutter.[]
He tucks his hands in black joggers as he shifts from one foot to the next. “I would have been gone in a couple of minutes, you know. Patience is a virtue.“[]
should I let Bradley Cooper be rude to me just because he’s hot and a superstar? No.“[]
“I’m hot?”
“No,” I sputter, then rub my face with my free hand.[]
“Are you all right? Inside you seemed-“]
“I’m fine.“[]
He cocks his head, his expression softening. “You sound terrible.“[]
I have a cold, so you better stay back.“]
His gaze goes behind me. “Watch out; you’re about to get mowed down by a pack of tourists. They never look where they’re going.” He takes my arm with a gentleness I didn’t expect and eases me out of their trajectory into the mouth of the alley outside the restaurant.[]
“Oh. Thanks.”
We watch them pass by us as the rainfall increases, and I groan as wetness creeps into my shoes.[]
“Hang on a second” Moving around, he unzips the duffle on his shoulder and pulls out a white umbrella with the Pythons mascot, a coiled black–and–gold snake with its mouth open to strike. “I’m always prepared. My ankle can feel the change in pressure. I fractured it a while back, and it always knows.” He pops the umbrella and waves me under it.]
