Page 6 of Claim Her
The corner of his mouth curls up, and it feels like a win. “Alec.”
“Alec.” His name rolls off my tongue, and yes, he looks like an Alec. “What floor?”
“Sixth.”
“How long have you lived here?”
“Three years.”
“Does the elevator usually break down?”
His eyes crinkle in the corners, but he still doesn’t look at me. “The right question is, does the elevator usually work?”
“No.” My shoulders droop, and all thoughts about how sexy my neighbor is are forgotten. “You mean, I have to walk every day?”
“It’s not so bad. Besides, it's good exercise.”
I rear my head back and scowl. “It’s not? Easy for you to say because you’re a walking advertisement for protein powder. Okay, maybe not really but look at me. Do I look like I voluntarily go to the gym? Do I look like I will sign up without a gun to my head?”
He casts me a sidelong glance and smirks. I almost tumble and fall face down because God, Alec smiling causes something warm to pool low in my belly. “You’ll get used to it.”
“I don’t want to get used to it.” I huff in exasperation, still debating if Alec is worth staying here for. “Have you always lived in Ferncombe?”
He nods. “Most of my adult life.”
“Do you know any breakfast places?”
A furrow creases his brows, and his tongue peeks between his lips before he sucks his lower lip between his teeth.
Holy…
My body reacts instantly. My thighs cinch together, and the pulse between my legs becomes more pronounced. Lust fogs my brain, and I’m not sure I can think clearly anymore.
My foot catches on something, and I stumble forward, arms flailing wildly. I’m certain I’m about to embarrass myself when my fingers grasp his bicep with a white-knuckled grip.
His bicep feels like a steel pole with how hard it is.
Time slows to a crawl. When I lift my face, he’s staring at me with a wild look in his eyes. Alec’s face twists in an expression I don’t understand, his gaze zeroing on my hand on him.
When I’m sure I’ve regained my balance, I let go of him and turn straight ahead. Electricity zaps through the air, and I know I’m one touch away from combusting into flames.
Fortunately, we make it to the fifth floor without me making an absolute fool of myself … for the second time or third time. We stop in front of my door, and Alec waits while I swipe my key card and the door gives off a faint click.
I’m about to take the books from him when an almost boyish uncertainty passes his face. Thickness hangs between us like a heavy fog, and his throat flexes when he swallows and opens his mouth as if to say something.
He flicks his eyes behind me, but when he brings them back to my face, he lets out a deep sigh. “I know some.”
“Huh?” I don’t remember the last thing I said because my rioting emotions have taken over. “What’s that?”
“You asked me if I knew some breakfast places.”
I did? When? “Do you?”
“Yeah. A few blocks down. If you…” All my paperbacks rest on his one hand while his other reaches behind him to rub the back of his neck. “If you want, I can take you there tomorrow.”
If Alec sprouted wings or horns, I couldn’t possibly have been more shocked. Is he asking me out? On a breakfast date? No. Maybe I’m overthinking it. I asked him about it first, and maybe he was just being nice and taking me there.
Whatever the case, I don’t care. Happiness blooms within me, and I beam at him, no longer concerned whether I look manic. “Sure. It’s my treat.”