Voyeur Extraordinaire(60)

Bruno stared up at me, his fur already wet. The rain was soaking through my summer coat, leaving me cold and wet. I took out my phone again and tried Jared’s number, but again I only got their voicemail. I hung up, not leaving a message. Resigned, I wrapped my arms around my chest, considering my options. I could ring the bell of one of my other neighbors. They would at least let me into the house and I could camp in front of my apartment door until Amy returned. My eyes traveled up the length of the building. Most windows were dark and I didn’t know to whom the illuminated ones belonged. This wasn’t an option. I didn’t know anyone well enough to disturb them in the middle of the night. Involuntarily, my gaze swiveled to Adrian’s window. The lights were on. Maybe he’d returned late from the visit with his parents. I straightened, then hesitated. I didn’t know Adrian well enough to show up on his doorstep and ask for shelter. And being back in his apartment after what had happened between us might not be the best idea anyway. A gust of wind tugged at my hair and the rainfall turned from drizzle to downpour. Oh Amy, why couldn’t you be home?

I checked my mobile to make sure I hadn’t missed a call, but there was nothing. I risked another glance at Adrian’s window, then sighed.

Let me make it up to you.

That’s what he had said. Well, he could make it up to me by letting me wait in his apartment until Amy returned from wherever she was.

I held one hand up over my head – as if that was any kind of protection against the rain – and ran toward the other building, tugging Bruno behind me who didn’t want to be out in the open.

I scanned the name tags for Black, but there were no names on the bell buttons, only apartment numbers. Last time I was up there with Adrian, I didn’t exactly pay attention to his apartment number. From inside the concierge was watching me but didn’t bother to open the door for me. I glowered at him and he lowered his gaze to the flat screen of his computer. What the hell? Didn’t he recognize me? He saw me only two days ago. Then I realized that I probably wasn’t the only woman who returned to Adrian’s apartment to confront him. The concierge probably had direct orders from Adrian not to let any of his scorned ex-lovers into the building. Another gust of wind made me stumble against the glass door and my coat fly up. I pushed it down. Bruno snuggled up against my leg, seeking warmth. Why did tonight have to be the beginning of Fall weather?

I balled my hands to fists and began pounding the glass. The concierge looked up in alarm. I forced a smile and motioned for him to let me in. His eyes darted to his phone. Oh God, what if he called the police?

Then, at least, I’d be warm. A hysterical laugh bubbled out of me. Finally, the concierge pressed a button and with a buzz the door opened. I stumbled in and Bruno dashed past me, shaking off the water.

“Can I help you?” the concierge asked in a strained tone. He stood behind his lobby desk, the phone right in front of him. Was he worried I’d attack him? Or make a scene?

“No, thank you,” I said, heading toward the elevator. His eyes widened. “No, wait! I can’t let you go up there.”

“But I need to see Adrian Black.”

“I’m sorry I can’t let you go up.”

“Then call him. He’ll tell you he’s expecting me.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that either. Mr. Black would have told me if he was expecting a guest.”

Anger boiled up in me. I forced my face into a calm mask, then lied, “Oh, okay. Can you at least write down a message for him?”

He nodded and lowered his eyes to look for a pen. I used the moment to dash toward the elevator, hit the ‘open button’ and slip inside. The concierge was coming around his desk but before he could cross the lobby, the elevator doors slid shut and it began moving. I could only hope he didn’t have a stop button at his desk.

I let out a breath when I arrived on Adrian’s floor but my bravery quickly waned as I approached his door. The elevator had already started heading back down to the ground floor, probably to pick up the concierge.

I picked up my pace, then came to a stop in front of Adrian’s apartment. It was 12:30 by now and doubt filled me. Could I really show up on Adrian’s doorstep like that? I knew he hadn’t meant his words like that. Let me make it up to you. But I also wasn’t exactly sure what he’d meant. The sound of the elevator returning helped me make up my mind. I jabbed the bell button before I could get cold feet.

I waited and listened but at first nothing happened. The elevator opened at the end of the hall and the concierge got out. Oh shit.

Finally, steps rang out and the door opened. Adrian stood behind it, dressed in only black pajama pants. I’d never seen his naked chest up close. During our one-night stand, if you could even call it that, I hadn’t come anywhere close to undressing him. As I took a closer look at Adrian’s surprised face, I noticed how mussed up his hair was – as if he’d fallen out of bed, or as if someone had run their hands through it, which fit the lipstick stains on his mouth better. And as I lowered my gaze further I noticed the bulge in his pants. Holy shit. He had a boner. I’d interrupted him during a fuck session with another woman.