Naughty Neighbor - Lauren Runow Page 0,35
thought you were my date,” he teases.
“If I were your date, I most definitely would have dressed nicer.”
“You mean, like put on a little gold dress?”
I press my fingers to my forehead and groan. “Please don’t remind me about the worst date in history. I don’t go out with a guy in years, and when I do, it’s a waste of a perfectly good dress.”
He grins. “Let’s not mourn the dress too much. I’m sure we can revitalize it. I’d be happy to take you dancing.”
“Hmm, I see. You’ll only take me out if I get all dressed up. I know your type, Jake Moreau. I’ve seen the women who come traipsing in and out of your apartment. You have definitely gone for the same kind of girl.”
“First, I’m out with you this very minute. Second, you’ve looked the same since I first met you, and I still come around. Obviously, looks aren’t a big deal to me.”
My eyes open wide in shock at the way he just said that.
He shakes his head, letting out a big laugh. “That did not sound as bad in my head. I promise.”
“It kind of did, but you’re off the hook. I don’t have an aversion to loungewear.”
“And that did not distract me from enjoying that kiss last night.”
I scrunch my eyes closed in embarrassment. “Is it possible for us to ignore that?”
“For now. But not forever.” He laughs, and I peek an eye open to see his charming grin. “I’ll let you off the hook under one condition: you tell me why you haven’t gone out with a man in years.”
I groan. Of the two topics—talking about my ambush kiss or talking about Michael—I’m having a hard time choosing the least cringeworthy.
“I moved to the city with my college sweetheart, only to have him ditch me for an Insta yoga instructor.”
“Is that why you never date? Besides that last guy who—”
“Was a complete ass and reminded me why I don’t trust men. That would be correct.”
“Not all men are slime. Some can be quite chivalrous.”
“I can’t seem to find the rare few. How can you tell the difference between the good ones and those who just want to get in your pants?”
“Trust me, all men want to get in your pants. We’re pretty simple that way. It’s just a matter of if you’re okay with it being casual or if you want something more. In that case, it’s key to communicate that to the man you’re seeing.” His lips twist to the side while his eyebrows pinch together. “I take it, there have been no one-night stands in your life?”
I shake my head while I take a bite of my ravioli. “Nope.”
“And you’re how old?” he asks with surprise.
“Why is that so hard to believe? Sorry I’ve never met a guy and slept with him right away.” I laugh.
He nods slowly. “I have. I mean, with a woman, that is. Does that make you look at me differently?”
A sharp laugh escapes my lips. “You do realize, I live next door to you, and our walls aren’t as thick as they should be. There’s not much you can hide from me. Even the first time I met you, you were walking a girl out after a sleepover.”
His shoulders fall like it’s something he’s suddenly ashamed of. I try to stop his reaction.
“Hey, what you do with all of that”—I motion my hand up and down his body—“is your choice. No judgment here. I love sex. Really, I do. I’m just picky about who I have it with.”
“Because they might leave you for an Insta yoga instructor.”
“Among other things.” I stab a ravioli and pop it into my mouth. “Tell me, where do you find these girls?”
He gives me a deadpan stare. “You act like I run a brothel from my house. There hasn’t been that many girls.”
I give him the same stare. “You’re testing the waters while you find the future Mrs. Moreau. What do you do?”
He takes a bite of his food and sits back in his chair like he’s really thinking about it. “I guess it all depends. I don’t want you to think I’m this guy who goes out, searching for girls just to get laid.”
“All men are simpleminded creatures though.”
I’m laughing at my joke, but he’s not. His look is stoic and kind of wistful.
“I would like to settle down someday, contrary to what my mom says. I just haven’t met the right woman yet.”
“Then, maybe you’re looking in the