But nope. It’s all exactly as I remembered it.
“I’ll take you back to your car,” he murmurs, his mouth pressed to the crown of my head.
“I walk to work,” I reply with a sigh, already hating the idea of walking to my condo. Not that it’s far, but I’m tired and it’s late.
“Excuse me?”
“I walk,” I repeat, and tip my head back so I can look him in the eyes. He’s frowning. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t think I love the idea of you walking home in the middle of the night in the city.”
I smirk. “Well, I’m a grown-up. I don’t live far.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“Okay.” I shrug and lean my head on his shoulder.
“That was easy,” he says with a chuckle.
“I’m not going to turn down a ride home when I’m this tired,” I reply, and don’t bother to stifle a yawn. “That would be dumb.”
“All right, then.” He stands and easily pulls me to my feet. “Before you fall asleep on me, let’s go.”
“You know, I don’t know what it is about you that makes me so sleepy.”
“I’m boring?” he asks with a laugh.
“No, you’re definitely not boring. I’m just usually not this tired. I survive on three hours of sleep a night.”
“No one can survive on that,” he says as he leads me to his car and opens the passenger door for me. I lower myself into the seat and sink into the plush leather.
“I survive on it,” I reply when he settles behind the wheel. “I always have.”
“Well, you slept well in California,” he says with a smile.
“That’s my point.” I shrug and watch the streetlights as Mac drives.
“What’s your address?” he asks. I answer and Mac whips his gaze to mine. “No way.”
“Way.”
He shakes his head.
“What?” I demand.
“That’s my address as well.”
I turn to face him, frowning.
“You don’t live in my building.”
“It seems I do,” he replies. Rather than pull up to the curb to let me out, he parks in the parking garage, exits the car, and opens my door. “Welcome home.”
“Seriously, you don’t live in my building.”
“Kat. It’s three in the morning. Trust me when I say that I’m not inclined to lie about where I live at any time of day, but especially right now.”
I scowl as he stalks away from me, toward the elevator, punches the up button, and waits for me.
“But I know everyone in this building,” I reply, stumped. And then it hits me. “Unless you’re the new guy in the penthouse.”
He simply smiles and gestures for me to precede him into the open elevator.
We had a lot of fun in the elevator in California.
I bite my lip and stare at Mac’s hands. Damn, he’s good with his hands.
“Earth to Kat.”
“Yeah?” I glance up to find Mac grinning at me and I can’t help but laugh. “I’m sorry, what were you saying?”
“Where did you go?”
“I’m here,” I reply immediately.
“What floor are you on?”
“Fifteen.”
“Just one floor below me,” he says, and punches the button for my floor. “Convenient.”
“Maybe,” I reply with a sigh, and shake my head when he raises an eyebrow, asking me to repeat myself. “So you just moved in.”
“Just a few weeks ago,” he confirms with a nod.
“What do you think so far?”
“I love it here,” he replies simply. “I’ve lived in Portland for most of my life. I’ve been wanting to move closer to the office for a while, and this place opened up.”
“She died,” I reply, and walk out ahead of him when we reach my floor.
“Who?”
“The woman who used to live in your condo.” I unlock my condo and turn back to Mac, not intending to ask him inside. “Do you want to come in?”
What the fuck, Kat?
I blame the lack of sleep.
His lips twitch. “You don’t have a poker face.”
“I don’t think I’m playing a game with you.”
He laughs now, his whole face lighting up in a smile, and it’s all I can do to keep myself from licking him.
Because seriously, does he have to be this hot? It’s ridiculous.
“To answer your question,” he says, lightly touching my cheek with his fingertips, “no. I can’t come in tonight.”
“Okay. See ya.” I turn to walk into my place, but he catches my arm and pulls me back to him.
“If I come in tonight, I won’t leave until tomorrow, and I promised myself that I’d take it slower with you.”
“Mac,” I reply with a sigh, “it’s fine. You don’t have to come in. I’m tired, and you’re tired, and it’s all fine. Honest.”
He searches my face for a moment, looking for what I’m not sure, then nods. But before I can turn away again, he pins me against my door and kisses me with the heat of a thousand suns. It’s not hard. It’s not long. But oh, sweet God in heaven, it’s hot.
And then he’s backing away.
“Sleep well, Kat.”
I just nod and walk into my condo, shutting the door behind me.