Cole(19)

Then the image from last night flashed in my head: Mr. Gorgeous holding his comrade up, pool of blood on the floor. Could it be? The runner had the same physique, but two times in two days when no one else had seen him? Ever? I shook my head. It was probably the fourth floor guy, and with that decided, I started off at a light jog.

Okay. Well. The first lap took longer than I thought. And I was wheezing. I wasn’t as fit as I’d thought. Still, I could do another lap. My lungs weren’t bursting, so I circled around for the second lap. At the end of it, I vowed to bring my pedometer next time. I wanted to know how far each lap took me. This was longer than a normal track, much longer. I was panting like a beached whale when I circled back around toward the door again, and that was when I saw him.

He’d stayed.

His arms folded over his chest, and he was watching me.

A thrill coursed through me. He wasn’t even stretching. He was just waiting for me. I slowed, forcing my breathing to calm as I walked in. I needed time to adjust because it was him—Mr. Mystery Gorgeous Man from the back elevator. Like last night, as our eyes met and held, my blood started buzzing. A whole host of emotions circled like a tornado in me. I didn’t like it, but as adrenaline and excitement zipped through me, I had to admit that I didn’t not like it either.

He wore a warm smile, and his sweatshirt clung to him, showing his broad and muscled shoulders. God. His body—it was toned. Even under black sweatpants and a sweatshirt, I could tell how ripped he was. His hood was pushed back now, and as I got closer, I noticed his hair had been cut since yesterday. It was buzzed short. It fit him. His hair didn’t seem as dark as before, yet somehow, it made him seem even more primal and dangerous. He could do damage. I didn’t want to know what kind of damage, but I knew without a doubt he was not someone I wanted as an enemy. I didn’t fear him; I actually felt drawn to him, my body sizzling. Yet I was wary of him, and of myself at the same time.

His dark eyes never left mine. He studied me, and I got the feeling he knew exactly what kind of sensations and thoughts were going through my head.

A glimmer of a grin showed on his face before he held out his hand. “I’m Cole.”

I eyed his hand. I’ve never been a hands lady, but his showed strength. Fitting my palm to his, I learned his hands weren’t rough. He gave me a firm handshake, and a rush of blood went through me. My knees nearly buckled. I closed my eyes. What was happening? I’d never reacted like this—ever. Not to Liam. Not to any guy.

Get yourself together, Addison.

“Addison,” I managed to respond.

He nodded as if he already knew. His eyes sparked, and I got the distinct impression he was laughing at me. He glanced down the running track. “You did good. Almost a mile.”

“Is that how far two laps go?” I asked, my voice too loud. “I was trying to figure it out. I’ve never run here before.”

I wasn’t a schoolgirl, but he made me feel like one. I was too old to be reacting like this. Shifting on my feet, I reached over and kept one arm across my chest like a barrier. I grabbed my other arm, which was pressed into my side. There. I felt some semblance of control now, which was ridiculous. My arm over my chest wasn’t a barrier at all.

“Do you live here?” I asked.

One side of his mouth lifted, and if I’d thought he was gorgeous before, the half-smile made him breathtaking. I wasn’t prepared for the sight, and I rocked back on my heels.

Good God. That was enough. I could hear Sia’s voice in my head saying, You need to get laid. She was right. That was why I was reacting like this, so even a damned half-smile made me wet. It was time to do the deed and suffer through a one-night stand. Apparently my hormones were making this announcement in the most embarrassing way possible.

“I’m a friend of Dorian’s.”

Lucky Dorian. He hadn’t answered my question, but I didn’t push it. “Okay.”

“You must be the new resident? He said someone new moved into the third floor.”

“Yeah. That’s me.” I had to avert my eyes. It was like he could stare into my soul. I didn’t like that.

His head moved with mine so he could still see my eyes. “Am I making you nervous?” His voice softened.

“A bit.” I’d admit that. A wry laugh followed. “I’m, uh, to be fair, you’re…” I waved my hand at him. “…a lot. And I haven’t been around guys like you in a while. My, uh, husband—”

Stop, stop, stop! I yelled silently at myself. “Guys like him?” What the hell was I saying? And I was about to tell him about Liam? Not first-time meeting material. I shook my head, grimacing, and managed to stop.