Page 15 of Hate It with You

“Ah, I knew you’d have one,” he says, holding up a vase he found under the counter. There’s a small restroom in the back that he disappears into.

Before I can help myself, I say, “You can’t go back there. That’s for employees only.” Clearly, his appearance is throwing me off. I need to address how to get out of my lease now that I know he’s the landlord, rather than worrying about what he’s doing.

Although with the way his jeans hug his slim hips and the black T-shirt that’s doing nothing to hide the very defined muscles of his arms, I can’t think clearly. Don’t even get me started on the sleeve of tattoos covering his left arm and cascading down across his hand. The design of my favorite flowers, lilies, ends in two birds on the back of his hand.

I wonder if they have a deeper meaning…

Shaking the thought away, I decide I need to get him out of here before I do something I’ll regret.

Alex ignores my comment and continues with whatever he’s doing in the back room. I throw my hands up in aggravation when I hear the faucet turn on and water starts running. A few moments later, he comes back with the vase half full and a pair of scissors.

“So what’d you want to talk about?” He flashes that devilish smile my way again, prompting me to cross my arms in an effort to hide my racing pulse from him. When his eyes dip toward my breasts, my heart involuntarily skips, and I throw my hands to my sides.

“How do I get out of it?” I ask Alex, slamming my hands down on the counter. He’s opened up the bouquet and has begun trimming the stems of each flower.

“Get out of what?” he asks, throwing a glance my way before bringing his attention back to the flowers.

“The fucking lease. How do I get out of the lease? I’m not staying here.”

“Sorry, you’re locked in.” He shrugs as he sets the scissors down on the counter. Gathering the freshly cut flowers, he picks them up and holds them over the vase. My hands meet his, stopping him before the tips of the stems touch the water.

“Can you focus for one second? What do you mean I’m locked in?” My hands still rest on his when his eyes drop to where we connect, the blue of his irises deepening in color when he does.

“If you wanted to hold hands with me, all you had to do was ask.” His smile grows as I yank my hands back, allowing him to fully submerge the stems and continue arranging the bouquet.

I’ve spoken enough, so I wait to see if he’ll address the situation. He takes his time cleaning up before placing the flowers next to the register and finally rounding the counter, giving me his full attention.

“If you want out of the lease, you have to pay for the full year. I gave you an excellent deal, and I’m depending on that money.” He crosses his arms in front of him, and I curse myself for noticing the way his muscles flex with the movement.

“I can’t pay that,” I respond, forcing myself to look him in the eye.

“Then I guess you’re staying, neighbor.” He shrugs as he takes a step toward the door.

“Neighbor?”

“My gym is right next door, and my apartment is upstairs.” Alex leans in to me. “You have excellent music choice by the way.” That smirk overcomes his face again, and I want to smack it off him.

“Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to listen in on your neighbors? It’s not very gentlemanly of you.” My words are fueled by my frustration, leaving my lips before my brain has a chance to process what I’ve just said.

I learned last year that Alex and his brothers lost both of their parents in a car wreck when they were young. Alex was only nine, and his eldest brother, Roman, was nineteen. My eyes widen when I realize my mistake.

Before I have a chance to apologize, Alex grabs my chin between two fingers, my skin heating at his touch.

“I thought we already established that you don’t care too much for ‘gentlemen.’” His voice is low as his eyes narrow in on me. While anger swims in his light-blue irises, a glint of lust sends a rush of heat low in my stomach. My eyes dart toward his lips at the feeling.

“Thinking about kissing me?” Alex asks in a low, guttural voice.

“Fuck no.” I push his hand off me. He lets go easily as he takes a few steps back, laughing. Alex strolls toward the door, apparently done with this conversation even though I’m left with more questions than answers.

Alex only stops when I call after him, “Hey asshole, you still have that photo of me in the bikini?”

His hand is stalled on the door handle, his only response to my question a menacing smile thrown over his shoulder before he says, “Send me a list of the things that need to be fixed, and I’ll get it on my schedule.” He pulls the door open, the chime of the bells ringing through the air. “Oh, and Beth?”

My answer is short. I’m exhausted from the day, and my voice comes out as a sigh. “What?”

“I really do love what you’ve done with the place. You should be proud. The world could use more safe spaces like this one.” He taps the door lightly with his forefinger, his tone laced with care before he slips out into the night.

His genuine compliment stuns me into silence, and I watch his hips sway as he makes his way next door.