Page 21 of Chief's Addiction

“Nice place,” he commented as he shifted his truck into park.

“Thanks.” I reached for the door handle, eager to escape. “Well, thanks for the ride. You can tell my brother, mission accomplished.”

“I’ll walk you up.” He shut off the truck.

Like hell. “That’s really not necessary.”

“Stop busting my balls, Cora.”

Before I could tell him to kick rocks, he was out of the truck and rounding the hood. I sighed and pushed open my door, just as he appeared, offering me his hand. I glanced at it then back to him. Yeah right.

I wasn’t accepting any more help from him. Not today. Not ever.

Relax, Cora. He’ll be gone soon and then you can go back to pretending he doesn’t exist.

I made my way to the building entrance without sparing him another look. As far as I was concerned his promise to my brother was fulfilled. “Well. This is me. Bye.”

I heard him sigh as I punched in my access code, and the door buzzed open.

“I’m walking you to your door.” Without being invited inside, he followed me in.

“Like I said before. That’s not necessary.” I headed for the elevator and tagged the button. The doors opened and the jerk who clearly wasn’t listening to a word I said stepped in behind me.

When the doors opened on my floor, I stepped out quickly, fishing my keys from my bag. And of course, Chief was right on my heels.

“Well, you walked me to my door,” I said, doing nothing to hide my annoyance as I fit my key into the lock.

Do you think the asshole had the good grace to beat feet?

That would be a big fat negative.

Instead of leaving, he leaned against the wall next to my door and crossed his big sexy arms over his chest.

Did I mention he’s a bastard?

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” he asked, clearly enjoying that he was pissing me off

Key half-turned in the lock, I glanced over at him. “Why in the hell would I do that?”

“So I can check the place out. Make sure it’s secure.”

I couldn’t help it. I really couldn’t. The asshole had jokes and made me laugh. “Please listen to the words that are coming out of my mouth.” I waited until I had full attention. “I would rather boil rice one grain at a time than let you into my home.”

He pressed one of his meaty palms against his heart. “Ouch.”

“You deserve far worse,” I said under my breath as I pushed open my door. “Thank you for the ride. Goodbye, Chief.”

He straightened, towering over me. For a moment, I thought he might try to push past me, but instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

“Put your number in,” he said, holding it out to me.

I wrinkled my nose. “What for?”

His eyes dropped to my lips then darted back up. “Because until whatever’s happening blows over, I need a way to check on you.”

I stared at him, trying to read between the bullshit.

He shook the phone. “Humor me.”

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