Brett hovers behind me as I scribble in the time. I hate how close he’s standing. “You don’t even know that guy.”
“He’s my new neighbor.”
“What?Blake—“
I push past him and through the door to the dining room and—
“Oof!”
I fly straight into a wall. A very firm, very muscular wall. Big palms wrap around my biceps.
“You all right?”
I tip my head back to look at Rowan. He’s so freaking tall that I swear my neck ends up arching up ninety degrees.
God, he smellsincredible. Leather. Oak. A hint of smoke, but not the kind that comes from a cigarette. Has he been by a bonfire? A fireplace, maybe? I get the most ridiculous urge to bury my nose into his T-shirt.
He’d definitely reconsider his offer to drive me home if I did that.
“Yes.” My voice comes out like a squeak, and I take a step back. “Sorry.”
His dark hazel eyes spark. “Ready to go?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Where’s your coat?”
I gesture at the rack by the entrance. “Over there.”
“Hold on a second. Blake, we were in the middle of a conversation.”
I step aside and turn to look at Brett. His voice is on the edge of a shout, loud enough to get the attention of a few patrons sitting at nearby tables.
My face starts to burn. Why won’t he drop it?
Rowan steps closer, his shoulder brushing against my own. “Is there a problem here?”
Whoa. I’ve never heard him usethattone before. It’s the kind of tone that warns there betternotbe a problem, or else.
Impotent anger flashes in Brett’s eyes. I see how he sizes Rowan up, and my neighbor’s definitely got the size advantage.
“No,” Brett snaps.
Rowan smiles. I didn’t think a smile could be threatening, but his certainly is. “Good. Then we’ll be on our way.”
CHAPTER 9
NERO
Outside, the snow’s coming down thick, and there's about an inch already on the ground. Blake and I leave footprints behind us as we walk toward my truck. Mine are twice the size of hers.
She keeps shooting me looks, like she’s unsure of what to make of me.
Good, because I’ve got no idea what to make of her either.
Since I moved in next door, she’s been popping randomly into my head multiple times a day.
I’ve got no idea why.
