Page 75 of Manhattan State of Mind

I clear my throat, trying to compose myself.

“I’m fine,” I croak, desperately trying not to ogle his distractingly fit body. “Couldn’t sleep. My roommate’s being a nuisance so I thought I’d take up your offer and come here. I’m really sorry, I can’t believe I woke you up. I had no idea you live in this building. I wouldn’t have…”

“Hey.” He lifts my chin with a finger, forcing my eyes to lock with his. I swear all the air is sucked right out of the hallway. “Don’t worry about it. You didn’t wake me. Couldn’t sleep either.” He pauses, an unreadable expression crossing his handsome features. “And believe me, I understand the torment of sleepless nights. Got a lot on my mind too.”

This sudden display of vulnerability has my tongue working without a filter. “So that’s the secret behind your constant scowl,” I blurt out, immediately clapping a hand over my mouth. “Oh God, I didn’t mean… Sleep deprivation. Blame it on that!”

To my surprise, a rich, deep chuckle echoes through the hallway. And holy hell does it sound good. A sexy rumble that wraps itself around me and makes my skin tingle.

My ovaries wave little white flags of surrender.

“That’s part of it. There’s more to it than that.”

I want to ask what keeps JP Wolfe awake at night but can’t find the courage.

He braces a hand against the doorframe, looming over me, all hard muscle and bare skin. Now I’m suddenly in dangerous proximity to his bare nipples.

Every woman wants to see what’s under those low-slung sweatpants. Probably every woman in America.

C'mon Lucy, eyes up.

His eyes smolder with lust and something dangerous. A cocky grin curves his lips. The bastard knows exactly what kind of effect he has on me. “You’re not the first to point out my apparent grumpiness.”

“Somehow I doubt many employees actually say it to your face,” I mutter.

“No.” His dark eyes gleam with amusement. “Only those… close to me.”

Heat creeps up my cheeks. Oops.

I hastily avert my gaze from that gorgeous chest.

“I thought you were in Vegas.”

“I was. For twenty-four hours or so. I had some things to do. Now I’m back.”

That, you are.

“This place,” I stammer, my breath hitching. “Is it seriously for employees?”

He smirks down at me. “Something like that. Consider it yours for as long as you need.”

My heart thumps erratically. “You didn’t mention that you were going to be my neighbor across the hall.”

He moves in closer, dark eyes devouring me like a man starved and I’m the only nourishment. His voice drops an octave. “Would you still have come if you knew?”

The air between us crackles. An urge to hurl myself into his arms hits me.

A slow, dangerous smile curves his lips as he places his other hand by my head, caging me in. The rush of his closeness, combined with the heady aroma of his cologne, sends my senses into overdrive.

“Yes,” I whisper, finally releasing my death grip on my bag.

“Good.” His voice is low.

For the second time, I hold my breath, thinking he’ll kiss me.

Instead, he says, “Everything you need is in the apartment—fresh towels, toiletries, the works. Don’t lug anything here.”

This is sweet, really. “This is too much. Hopefully, it’s just for one night. I’ll negotiate a peace treaty with my roommate tomorrow.”