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The elevator doors slid open and I stepped out into the hall. There were only two condos on each floor. I couldn’t help myself as I glanced over at the door across from mine while I went to let myself into my place. I hadn’t seen Mac today and there was a part of me that was glad. He was someone I wanted to avoid entirely… but my mind betrayed me. He infiltrated my thoughts when I desperately tried to pretend he didn’t exist.
And just as I was unlocking my door, the universe decided it was the perfect time to test me.
Mac’s door slowly opened and he stepped through the doorway, holding on to the leash attached to his dog. Thor spotted me from across the hall and his entire body began to wiggle as his tail started to wag. He let out a whine, pulling against Mac who was struggling to lock his door.
“Jesus, Thor, just hold on,” he mumbled with frustration as he turned around. His eyes traveled across the hall, instantly colliding with mine. His expression softened and the corners of his lips lifted. He swiftly closed the distance between us with three long strides. “Well, hey there, neighbor. Now I see why Thor’s so excited.”
Heat crept across my cheeks and I ducked my head as I dropped my purse and backpack onto the floor and crouched down in front of Thor. “Hey you,” I murmured as I pet his velvet soft head. “You’re such a good boy, aren’t you?”
“Sometimes I am,” Mac said softly from where he was standing above us. I glanced up at him, narrowing my eyes as he smirked. “Oh, you meant the dog.”
I patted Thor’s head once more and slowly stood back up. “Yes. I was talking to him, not you.” I snorted and rolled my eyes. “I don’t care whether or not you’re a good boy.”
“I never wanted to be that dog as badly as I do right now.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “Something’s seriously wrong with you.”
“Maybe,” he said with a shrug of indifference. His gaze was locked on mine and he took another step closer. “But if wanting your attention is wrong, then fuck ever being right.”
The air left my lungs in a rush, my eyes widening as I stared back at him in shock. His words caught me off guard and I couldn't help but love the way they felt as the sound of his voice slid across my eardrums. Swallowing roughly, I leaned down and grabbed my bags before standing upright again. Pushing my shoulders back, I straightened my spine. I lifted my chin and shoved the feelings he elicited back into the box they belonged in.
The surprise washed away from my face and I gave him a blank stare. “You don’t want my attention. I promise.”
The muscle in Mac’s jaw tightened, though his eyes never left mine. “I think I’ll be the judge of that.” He didn’t take a step away from me and the hallway felt suffocating. “The harder you push, the more you’re just reeling me in, Juliette.”
My body finally responded as I forced my feet to move and take a step back from him. I didn’t stop moving until I felt my door behind me. My lips parted but the only thing that escaped me was a shallow breath.
“I’ll see you later, Juliette,” he said softly before turning away from me. I watched as he led Thor to the elevator and only as the doors were about to close did his gaze meet mine once again.
And the heat burning in his irises was enough to set my entire soul on fire.
Mac Sullivan was someone I could not and would not get involved with.
But I had half a mind to consider the possibility of it…
CHAPTER SEVEN
MAC
Slowly turning the page, I closed the book in my hands, a slow smile creeping across my lips. Who knew that these romance novels had such dirty words written beneath the innocent-looking covers? Apparently Juliette did. Clicking the pen in my hand, I flipped the book back open and began to flip through the pages. She had no idea that I had her package, so I was going to leave a little surprise for her inside.
I went through all the pages again, scanning the text for the different parts that had my mind drifting to Juliette. I couldn’t help but wonder what she liked—if the things she read were the things she fantasized about. She was confident, independent, and a fucking catch.
The first scene I ended up on was the first sex scene. The guy was taking her from behind on the balcony of his suite. His hand was tangled in her hair, exposing her neck as he pulled her head to her back. My pen scratched the surface of the paper as I etched my own little note in the margin.
I scribbled notes throughout the entire book before tucking it back in the small cardboard box it came in. There was a roll of packing tape in my kitchen and I closed the package and made sure it was secure before setting it back on my counter. Thor whined from where he was standing beside me and when I looked down at him, he barked.
“You want to go for a run?” I questioned him as I reached for his leash.
Thor barreled toward the door, his nails scratching against the wood floors as he slid to a stop and I laughed. He was so eager he almost fell down. His tongue hung out of his mouth and he panted while his tail wagged with excitement.
I realized I didn’t have the proper attire on and Thor followed me through my condo as I took off my shirt and tossed it onto my bed. There were a pair of shorts folded on the bench at the end of my bed, so I slipped those on and grabbed my headphones. Thor continued to whine and his whole body moved side to side with his tail. Having him was both a blessing and a curse. He was like a bull in a china shop, knocking things over without realizing it.
“Let’s go,” I murmured to him as I slipped the harness around his neck and strapped it around his torso. I clipped the leash to it and stood upright as I placed my hand on the package. “Should we stop and see if our lovely neighbor is home?”
Thor’s tongue hung out farther and he panted loudly. His face looked like he was smiling and his tail began to wag harder.
“Good idea,” I said with a nod, even though he didn’t actually say anything. I saw how she was with him. She couldn’t deny his sweet face. And I had a package that belonged to her. “Hopefully she’s home.”
