Slow No Wake - By Dakota Madison Page 0,22

next door. I don’t know what overcame me but I had suddenly become obsessed with the idea of proving Eddie had a pet in his apartment. I felt like a woman on a mission.

I pounded on his front door for a few seconds before a half-asleep Eddie answered. He was wearing boxer briefs and nothing else. His hair was tousled like he had just gotten out of bed, but my eyes were immediately drawn to his lower assets, which were rather prominently on display. His package was a full one.

“See something you like?” he teased.

When my eyes finally made it back up to his eyes, they were dancing with delight. He loved seeing me squirm.

“Alexandria, if I’d have known you wanted morning sex, I would have stayed the night at your place.”

I pushed Eddie out of the way and barged into his apartment. “I know you have a cat.”

He grabbed my shoulder and turned me to face him. He put his finger to his lips and shushed me. “My roommate is asleep. He worked late last night.”

I had completely forgotten his roommate worked double shifts. I felt like an ass.

“Sorry,” I whispered. “But I heard a yeow.”

He raised an eyebrow. “What’s a yeow?”

“The sound a cat makes.”

He grinned. “Don’t you mean meow?”

I shook my head. “No, it sounded like yeow.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Have you ever had a cat?”

“No, we were dog people. I thought I heard a scratching sound, too. Which bedroom is yours?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” Eddie flashed his sexy dimple at me. Shit.

I returned his suggestion with a scowl.

“I’m in the master. Last door.”

“I know which room is the master bedroom,” I said as I headed down the short hallway toward his room. I threw open his door and a furry little grey kitten stood there staring at me.

Eddie came in close behind me and shut his door. He was so close to me, I could feel him pressed against my back. He was hard. And I was alone with him in his bedroom. Shit. Double-shit.

It took every ounce of self-control I had to step away from his tempting body. As far away as I could in the small bedroom, anyway.

“I was right,” I said pointing at the kitten.

He scooped up the small creature and nuzzled her. I had to smile seeing him being so affectionate with the little furball. It was a side of him I had no idea existed.

“What’s her name?” I asked.

He eyed me for a few seconds. “I’ve only had her for a few weeks. I’d been calling her cat because I hadn’t come up with a fitting name.” He stroked the kitten as he continued. “Look at her. She’s adorable and a little spitfire.”

He was right. She was cute.

“That’s why I decided to name her Alexandria.”

I nearly choked. I narrowed my eyes at him. “Is this some kind of line to get me into your bed?”

He placed the kitten carefully on the floor then closed the space between us until we were only inches apart. “I don’t need to name my cat after you to get you into bed.” His eyes were blazing.

I suddenly felt claustrophobic in the small space and with his close proximity. I wanted to get out of his bedroom to get some air.

“I’ve got to go,” I said as I pushed away from him and toward the door.

“My door’s always open for you, Alexandria. I’ll be waiting for you.”

I hurried through his apartment and out the front door. When I was finally outside, I inhaled a deep breath. Had he really named his cat after me? Ugh.

***

A few hours later, I found myself at the mall. I decided I needed a new outfit for my date with Daniel: something soft and fun and a little flirty. Something more appropriate for the Florida weather than the Midwest clothes I had brought with me.

Most of the shops seemed to carry clothes made for the bar scene, something I had grown beyond a few years ago. I managed to find one store that had cute cotton dresses and casual beach wear that seemed perfect.

As soon as I entered the shop, I felt overwhelmed. There were suddenly too many choices. There were several racks of flowered print sun dresses that all looked good and I could feel my breathe getting more shallow as I thought about having to choose one. Then a teardrop fell down my cheek. Why was I crying?

I took in a deep breath and tried