Cohen hesitated at my front door.
“Thanks for breakfast,” I murmured.
He nodded. “Anytime.”
I stripped myself of his oversized long-sleeved shirt and handed it back to him. His eyes wandered south to my chest for the briefest of seconds, but enough for me to register he liked what he saw. What can I say? I was blessed in the boob department. Full C’s, yet still perky. And currently sporting hard nips again. Damn. This time it had nothing to do with the chill in the air and everything to do with the look on Cohen’s face. He was a boob man. It was clear as day.
He cleared his throat. “Will you be okay?”
Oh yeah. There was a f**king bat in my apartment. This wasn’t a date. It was a pity-outing with a neighbor. That was all. Damn. Delusional much, Liz?
I shook my head. “Well, I’m not sleeping in there.” No way, nuh-uh. “I’ll just have to wait a few more hours until I can call the landlord to come over.”
Cohen frowned. “What are you going to do in the meantime? It’s…” He glanced at his watch. “…way too f**king early.”
I laughed. “I’m a big girl. I’ll be fine. Thanks again.”
I turned for my door, but Cohen grabbed my wrist. “Come on. You’re coming upstairs with me.”
“I am?”
He pressed his other hand into my lower back and guided me to the staircase. “Up you go.”
I blanched at his presumptuous behavior, yet obediently started up the stairs, relieved that I wouldn’t have to wait alone.
When we reached the top, Cohen unlocked the door and pushed it open for me to enter. His apartment was tiny compared to mine. Now that I wasn’t all frazzled from the bat incident, I noticed how quaint it was. The pitched ceilings were architecturally interesting, but made it too low for him to comfortably walk in certain spots of the room. The floors were wooden and creaky. I was surprised I’d never heard him walking above me before. He tossed the shirt he’d given me on the back of the sofa.
“Are you tired?”
I shrugged. “Might as well try to sleep, otherwise I’ll be a real bitch tomorrow.”
He laughed. “You’re honest. I like that.”
“Thanks?” I wasn’t sure, but that sounded like a compliment. I looked around at the tiny apartment wondering where I’d sleep. “Won’t your girlfriend be mad if I’m sleeping over?”
He shrugged. “I’m not worried about it.”
I bit my lip to avoid smiling.
He disappeared into his bedroom and I wondered if I was supposed to follow, but before I could decide, he returned with a bundle of blankets and pillows in his arms. He dumped them unceremoniously on the couch. “You can take my room. I’ll sleep out here.”
I surveyed the length of him. “And how tall are you?”
“Six-two. Why?”
I made a tsking sound. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. You will not be sleeping on this couch.” There’s no way he would comfortably fit.
He laughed softly. “I’ll be fine.”
“Nonsense. Go to bed. I’ve got this.” I began unfolding the blankets and arranging them on the couch.
His hands found mine, and he stopped me. “You’re the guest. You should take my bed.” His voice was solemn, sweet.
I couldn’t resist placing my hand on his chest. Yep, just as solid and warm as I expected. “I’m not a guest, sweetheart, I’m an annoying neighbor with a bat problem who woke you up in the middle of the night.”
He smirked.
“Now go to bed.” I patted his chest.
He held me in his gaze. “You’re a feisty little thing, aren’t you?”
“Damn straight.”
He laughed out loud. “And how do you know I’m not a serial killer?”
“Yes, because serial killers usually wear oven mitts for intimidation and buy their victims pancakes before tucking them into bed.” I rolled my eyes for effect.
His mouth twitched in amusement. “Valid point.” He turned to head to his room. “Just let me know if you need anything—or if you spot any bats. I’ve got the oven mitts ready.”
A noise from the other room caught our attention. Cohen’s face registered recognition.
He shook his head with a smirk on his face. “There’s just one problem.”
I waited, unsure where this was heading. Maybe his girlfriend had decided to come over after all.
“Bob usually sleeps here.”
Before I had the chance to ask who Bob was, a dog the size of a bear came barreling down the hallway, headed straight for me.
I let out a gasp while Cohen laughed and steered the dog away, stopping him from mauling me. He held the dog’s wiggling body in place and scratched behind his ears. The dog’s tail walloped against my thigh.
“He tries to sleep in my bed, but I don’t usually let him. He’s a cover hog.” Cohen smiled.
“What the hell is he?” I took a step back so I was out of the firing line of his tail. He was an enormous fluff ball of curly apricot-colored fur.
“A Labradoodle. Non-shedding.”
“Oh.” A what-a-doodle?
Bob leapt onto the couch and flopped himself down onto the blankets I’d just arranged, lying with his head against the armrest as he got into a comfortable position.
Cohen chuckled at the sight of him. “Unless you’re a real dog lover and wouldn’t mind cuddling up with this guy, I suggest you come to my room.”