Nicole, still in her defensive stance, craned her neck and saw a small notepad at his hip. It looked as if it had been roughly stuffed in and out of a pocket on a regular basis.
Apparently she hesitated a hair too long, because he pushed up to his elbows and turned his head, giving her a glimpse of jet-black hair cut so short it stuck up in spikes, hitting her with the lightest, most crystal-clear blue eyes shed ever seen.
He took one look at her with her fists still up, her legs slightly bent and let out another sigh, rubbing his jaw. We going to duke it out over a notepad then?
She dropped her fists to her sides, and, keeping her eyes on the most gorgeous stranger shed ever seen, she bent for her Taco Bell bag. Who are you and why were you swearing in my hallway?
Heard that, did you? He flashed a grin. I dont suppose youd not repeat any of it to the owner? She specifically said no swearing in her hallways.
Hmm. Nicole was surprised Taylor hadnt put this man under lock and key in her bedroom, given her fondness for horizontal gymnastics, and the fact that sexuality rolled off this man in waves.
With one smooth motion, he came to his feet, startling her anew because, granted, she was on the shrimpy side of average height, but he and his hard-as-granite body had to top six feet by several inches.
Which meant her head, if she lifted her nose to nosebleed height, maybe came to his broad shoulder. Between their height discrepancy and her sudden, startling attraction to him, she felt defensive. She hated feeling defensive. It tended to put her on the offensive. Taking one step back, she balanced her weight on the balls of her feet, once again ready for anything.
Wouldnt have used that language if Id have heard you coming. A bit chagrined now, he cocked his head and scratched his jaw, which, judging by the dark shadow there, he hadnt shaved in a few days. Went and startled you, I see.
She narrowed her eyes. Yep, his accent was gone, but there was something stilted about how he sounded now, as if he were hiding something.
She knew well enough about hiding secrets, but didnt like it when others did the same. Answer my questions, please.
As shed raised an accusatory finger directed toward his very fine chest, he lifted his hands in surrender. No need to shoot, Im just the architect. Ty Patrick OGrady at your service.
Youre thearchitect.
For the building here. Its going to be renovated. As if to prove he was harmless-harmless, ha!-he propped up the wall with his shoulder and gave her a disarming little half smile that sent sparks of awareness shivering down her spine. Needs an architect before anything else, you know, he said. Turns out this place is a historical monument, and is in desperate need of some serious structural repair.
As the place was smack dab in the middle of elegant, sophisticated South Village, where the rich came to play, and everyone else came to pretend to be rich, Nicole decided she could buy that. Especially since this particular building was the current eyesore of the entire block.
Taylor had been having one expert or another through here for weeks in anticipation of a major renovation. So youre working up a bid for the owner? Suzanne? she asked, watching him carefully.
Now he smiled, slow and sure. No, not Suzanne. Taylor, but good try. Itd take more than a peewee to trip me up, darlin.
A peewee? Hed just called her a peewee? Shed give him peewee.
He lifted one jet-black brow at the narrowing of her eyes, and dared to smile at her obvious temper. Want to see my ID or are you just going to clobber me with that lovely smelling Taco Bell bag?
What happened to your accent?
His face went curiously blank. What accent?
You had an Irish accent. Are you an immigrant?
Yep, just got off the boat from Australia, mate. He grinned. Or maybe that was His accent went from Aussie to Austrian in a heartbeat. From another continent entirely.
A smart-ass. Its awfully late to be working on a bid.
You mean early, dont you?
That might be; she had no idea whether she was coming or going. Whichever. Why are you here now?
Im what youd call a busy mannow, darlin, youve got me so flustered, Ive gone and missed your name.
That might be; she had no idea whether she was coming or going. Whichever. Why are you here now?
Im what youd call a busy mannow, darlin, youve got me so flustered, Ive gone and missed your name.
Nicole crossed her arms. Its not darlin, Ill tell you that.
He let out another smile, which she had to admit could melt bones at fifty paces. Do I have to guess then?
Dr. Mann, she grudgingly gave him. Now, if you dont mind, Ive got tacos to eat. And a date with a bed.
Alone.
Where that thought came from, she had no earthly clue. She always slept alone.
Always.
She stared at him still staring at her with a little, knowing smile that made her want to grind her teeth for some reason. What? You going to make a crack about me being far too young to be a doctor? I get a lot of little-girl jokes. Go ahead, give me your best shot.
He took a good, long look down her body, then slowly, slowly back up again, stopping at the points that seemed to be connected to her loins, since they all came alive with a little flutter that annoyed her even more. You look all woman to me.
Oh, definitely, she was too tired for this. She brushed past him and stopped at her door, slapping her myriad of pockets, looking for the keys she could never quite remember where shed left.
Problem?
Scowling, she ignored him and switched her Taco Bell bag to the other arm to check her back pocket. No go. Damn, that was the trouble with cargo pants. Comfortable, yes. Practical, with their twelve million pockets to lose things in, no.
Dr. Mann-
Please, she said to that quiet, outrageously sexy voice as she closed her eyes. Justgo away. If she didnt gobble the food and hit the bed, shed fall asleep right here on her feet.
She could do it, too. Shed slept on her feet before, during med school, during the long nights of residency
A sharp click had her blinking rapidly at heropened door? Ty Patrick OGrady, architect, sometimes owner of a sexy Irish lilt, man of a thousand curses and one incredible smile, held up a credit card. Handy, these things, arent they now?
Youbroke in?
Easily.
Are you a criminal?
He laughed, low and sexily, damn him. Lets just say Ive been around. You need a better lock.
You cant just-
Did you find your keys?
No, but-
Just get inside, darlin. He gave her a gentle shove as he took the Taco Bell bag from her fingers just before the thing would have dropped to the ground. Before you fall down.
She stepped over the threshold, reaching back to slam the door. Unfortunately he was on the wrong side of that door and ended up inside her very small place, which seemed that much smaller with his huge presence in it. And Im not your darling, she said, turning away.
Nope, youre Dr. Mann.
She sighed and faced him again. Okay, so Im stuffy when Im tired. Sue me.
Id rather call you by your first name.
Nicole, she snapped, then grabbed her Taco Bell from his fingers and headed into the kitchen, which happened to be only about four steps in. Feel free to let yourself out.
Naturally, and because she suspected he was as ornery and contrary as he was magnificent looking, he followed her instead.
What are you doing? she demanded.
Making sure you dont fall down on your feet.
Weve already established Im a grown-up.
Youre right about that. Um He watched her shove aside a pile of medical journals and rip into the bag with a wince. How about some real breakfast?
This is real. And her mouth was watering. Goodbye, Mr. Architect.
You know, youre very welcome, he said when she grabbed a taco, leaned against the counter and took a huge bite. Glad I could help.
Yeah. Thank you for breaking and entering. She nearly moaned when the food hit her tongue, but managed to hold it back, sucking down a good part of her soda before practically inhaling the rest of her first taco.
When she reached into the bag for the next one, he sighed.
She eyed him. You forget where the front door is? Wouldnt want it to hit you on your way out.
You should really make yourself some healthier food-
Theres meat, cheese, lettuce and shell hereIve got all the food groups represented.
Yes, but- He watched her lick a drop of sauce off her thumb. Im assuming you just got off some brutal shift at the hospital?
Yeah She paused for a long, amazingly refreshing gulp of soda. Dont take this personally, okay? But could you go away? Ive got a date with my bed, and it doesnt include anyone else but me and my pillow.
Now thats a crying shame. He added a slow grin that upped her pulse.
Dont get any ideas. I dont play doctor with strangers.
Whod want to play with that attitude? He grinned when she growled at him. And I wasnt propositioning you, Dr. Nicole Mann. I just think you should eat something that has more nutrients thansay a paper bag. Why dont you let me cook-
He broke off when she burst into laughter. Feeling less like she was going to die on the spot now that she had something in her belly, she set down her taco and headed for the front door. While she was certain he could cook up something all right, she wasnt interested. Yes, she enjoyed looking at a great specimen of a man such as himself, but she didnt feel the need to do more than look. Goodnight, she said, holding the door open.
Let me guess He sauntered up to her with that loose-hipped stride of his, all long, lean grace. His eyes, those amazing blue, blue eyes, seemed to see straight through her. You have a thing against real food?
No, I have a thing against strangers offering to cook for me. Lets face it, Mr. Architect. She offered him a nasty smile she reserved for the lowest forms of life-men on the prowl. You werent offering to cook me food.
I wasnt? He lifted a black brow so far it nearly vanished. And what did you think I was offering to cook?
Lets just say Im not interested, whatever it was.
With a slow shake of his head, his mouth curved. He wasnt insulted. Wasnt mad or irate. But he was amused at her expense.