As the train comes to a stop, I get off with the crowd, then make my way up the steps with everyone else to street level, where the air is at least twenty degrees cooler. Adjusting my bag on my shoulder, I tuck my hands into my coat pockets and walk with my head down to ward off the cold that’s nipping my cheeks. I growl under my breath as I watch a single snowflake fall onto the sleeve of my coat and melt. I hate when it snows in New York. I hate trudging through the slush and ice on the way to work. I know a lot of people love snow, and I agree it’s pretty to look at when it first falls, but after a couple of days on New York City sidewalks, it’s a disgusting mess.
Reaching my block, I breathe a sigh of relief when I don’t see Levi—not that I thought he would be waiting for me, but with the way my luck has been going lately, I wouldn’t have been surprised if I ran into him. Yes, I know eventually I will have to face him, since moving is about as realistic an option as teaching abroad, but truthfully, I’m hoping if I avoid him long enough he’ll forget I even exist.
Punching in the code for the building, I swing the door open, close it behind me, then take the stairs as quietly and quickly as I can. I duck as I pass Levi’s door with my key out. As soon as I’m inside my apartment, I lock the door and head for my room with Muffin in tow.
“We need to pack, girl. We’re going to go stay with Mac and Libby for a couple days,” I explain as she presses her head under my hand, forcing me to pet her. Taking a seat on the side of the bed, I give her a rub, then grab both sides of her face. “I know you’re going to be mad at me, but I don’t think you’ll be seeing Levi much anymore.” Huffing, she falls to her bottom and tips her head to the side. “Sorry, girl, but it’s for the best,” I say, softly kissing the top of her head before I stand. Going to my closet, I pull down a bag, then shove a couple of outfits in it along with a pair of pajamas and my bathroom stuff. As soon as I’m packed, I grab Muffin’s leash from the closet, attach it to her collar, and head for the door, cursing myself stupid when I see Levi standing in the hall with his eyes on me. Why the hell didn’t I check the peephole? As much as I want to run back into my apartment and hide, I know I can’t, so I might as well just get this over with now. With a resonating sigh, I head in his direction.
“Hey,” he says, studying me with a soft look in his eyes that makes me even more upset about this whole thing.
“Hi,” I grumble, gritting my teeth as he takes my bags from me without asking.
“Are you taking her out?” he questions, looking at Muffin.
“Yes.”
“Are you leaving town?” he asks, holding up my bag.
“No, I’m staying with Mac and Libby for a couple days.”
“We need to talk,” he murmurs, heading for his door, but I refuse to budge—unlike Muffin, who is attached to Levi’s side, willing to follow him anywhere.
“No talk necessary,” I say, quickly stomping toward him. With an annoyed tug, I pull my bag from his grasp. “I’m sorry about this morning. I don’t know what I was thinking, but believe me, I regret it and it will never happen again.” Okay, that was easier than I thought it would be.
“That’s too bad.” I hear the smile in his voice, and my eyes fly up to meet his. “I sure as fuck don’t regret what happened this morning, and I definitely want more of that, but, babe, seriously, we were two feet from my couch, where in my head I had already stripped us down. Neither of us had time for what I wanted to do to you, and you are not even close to ready to go there with me.”
“Ex . . . excuse me?” I stammer, staring at him with wide eyes.
“I like you, I like that you’re a little bit crazy and a whole lot blind, but until I know you understand exactly what’s happening between us, there is no way I’ll take you to my bed.” Blinking at him, I try to understand exactly what the hell he’s saying, but all I can focus on is the fact that he called me crazy and blind. “I’m not crazy or blind.”
“Gorgeous, you’re so fucking stuck in your own head, you can’t see straight.”
“I am not,” I growl, resting my hands on my hips as his eyes move over me and his lips twitch.
“I’m not going to argue with you about this.”
“Well, it’s not even true,” I huff, then step back when he takes a step toward me.
“Oh, it’s true, but that’s okay. I’m enjoying this game we’re playing,” he murmurs, taking another step closer.
“Game?” I breathe as he reaches out, rubbing his thumb over my bottom lip.
“You’re cute when you get flustered, and I like that you don’t know how much you affect me and my self-control.” Okay, what the hell is going on?
“What are you doing?” I whisper, pressing my hands to his chest when his head lowers toward mine.
“Kissing you.”
“Why?”
“To prove a point.” His lips brush over mine, and I know instantly that I wasn’t in trouble before, but I’m in so much trouble now.
Chapter 6
JUST ADD THAT TO THE LIST
FAWN
“Hey, mamacita,” I greet my mom as soon as I open the door to my apartment. Throwing my arms around her, I hug her tightly while she rocks me back and forth. Pushing me away while holding my arms, she searches my face and smiles, then pulls me close again.
“I’ve missed you, honey,” she whispers, petting my head the way she always does.
“I missed you, too.” I breathe in her scent that hasn’t changed since I was little, taking comfort in its familiarity before she lets me go.
Hearing my dad clear his throat behind me, I turn to find him with his arms open wide. “Daddio.” I grin, his laughter deep as he tugs me into him.
“Kiddo,” he mutters, kissing the side of my head. “It’s been too long.”
“I know,” and it really has been too long. I haven’t seen my parents since school started back up, and I miss them both like crazy. Talking on the phone every couple of days is not even close to the same as seeing them in person. Letting Dad go after a few seconds, I step back, bumping into something, and look behind me to see two small suitcases side by side. My dad must have brought them inside when I was hugging my mom.
“Um . . .” I look between my parents, who haven’t changed much over the years. My mom still has the same short bob she’s always had, which fits her round pixielike face and small stature. And my dad is still intimidating looking, with wide shoulders, red hair, and a scruffy beard. “Do you still need to check in to your hotel room?” I ask, and my dad looks at my mom, who grins at me.
“We’re staying with you. Won’t that be fun?” she asks excitedly.
Um, what? Did she just say they were staying with me and the word fun in the same sentence? Yes, I love my mom and dad, and yes, I miss them, but I moved out of their house for a reason. The first one being that they do not understand the meaning of personal space or boundaries.
“All the hotels we looked into were a little too expensive, so we figured we’d save a few bucks and stay with you,” Dad says, and I press my lips together. My parents are not broke—no, they’re not rich, either—but they can definitely afford to stay at a hotel. This isn’t about them saving a few dollars. I know this is about my stupid sisters opening their big dumb mouths about Levi. Levi, who two nights ago insisted on giving me a ride to my sisters’ place after he kissed me stupid in the hall. Levi, who laughed his ass off when they asked him about the building we both reside in being fumigated. I didn’t think it was as funny as he did, and my sisters had no clue why he thought it was hilarious, but they did find it very entertaining when he kissed me in front of them before leaving.
“All I have is the couch,” I mutter as Muffin finally pulls herself off said couch to come over and greet everyone.
“We figured we’d take your bed and you could have the pullout, unless there is somewhere else you wanted to stay—you know, somewhere close by?” Mom smiles knowingly, and I feel my eye twitch.
Oh.
My.