Page 31

“You just moved in! I’m sorry if I don’t think we’re in the territory of nicknames.”

He levels me with a stare of challenge, and I know I’m in trouble.

“I think you’re afraid, baby.”

The sputter that leaves my mouth is immediate. “Baby? Afraid of what? Who do you think you are?”

This little bastard.

Ava stands off to the side watching our showdown with interest. If she could have a bucket of popcorn for the performance, I’m sure she would.

“Getting close to anybody.” Zavier struts over like a peacock with his feathers out. “For the short period of time I’ve known you, I’ve read you like a book, and you don’t like to let people in.”

I would love nothing more than to smack the stupid smile right off his gorgeous face right now.

“Oh, please. Zavier whatever-your-last-name-is-know-it-all.” I inwardly cringe at myself and the shitty comeback, but I’m too riled up to care. “You don’t know me.” Poking his chest with a finger I emphasize my point.

He grabs my finger so quickly I can barely react and nips at it. I try to pull away, but he refuses to let go. “Lockwood. Zavier Lockwood. L-O-C-K-W-O-O-D. Why aren’t you writing this down? It’s going to be your last name one day, too.” His grin is downright wicked.

I sputter incoherently.

His pink tongue slips out to lick me like a popsicle and I try to suppress the shiver that wants to wrack my body. In one swift pull from him we’re toe to toe, and my heaving chest brushes his hard pecs.

I should be grossed out, angry even, but I’m not.

I’m … intrigued.

And maybe even a little turned on.

“And I want to know even more about you, Celine Won’t-Face-The-Truth-Brennan.”

Our height difference doesn’t help with me trying to be intimidating so I rip my finger out of his grip and pull a stool over to stand on top of it because I’m petty like that.

“Ha.”

Zavier shakes his head and grabs my hips, pulling me off the stool with ease. His flexing arms let me down but not without letting our fronts rub against each other as he slowly lowers me. The hardness in his crotch is undeniable and I fight the growing blush on my cheeks both from anger and lust.

“I’m leaving.”

I turn and purposely hit him in the face with my hair. The groan he lets out proves to have had the opposite effect than intended. I don’t know what to do with him. Grabbing Ava’s hand in mine, I yank her out into the hallway and fumble for the keys in my pocket, trying to get away as soon as possible.

“Where are my damn keys?” I pat down my clothing but can’t find them. A jingling noise has me turning to Mr. Frustrating himself. Zavier has one sassy hand on a hip and the other holding my missing keys nonchalantly.

“You dropped these,” he drawls, only serving to piss me off even more.

“Give me those.” I storm over and snag them from his hand then run out of his apartment like my ass is on fire. Ava continues to watch like we’re providing endless entertainment.

“Oh, and Celine?”

“What?” I shout louder than I mean to and glance around the hallway hoping my neighbors aren’t out.

“See you on Saturday for our date.”

He pushes his door shut and locks it before I can verbally attack him. Smart man.

“You asshole,” I whisper shout, and hear his chuckle on the other side of the door.

Even with my annoyance I can’t help but smile at Ava, who smiles right back at me.