Katie made it to the lift and willed the bloody thing to hurry up. Of course, Marcus's nosy neighbor was staring at her, shaking her head in the most disapproving way. Katie shot her a dirty look. "It's not like you have to actively listen to people's private conversations!" she snapped, turning her back to the affronted look currently boring it's way through the back of her head. Her arms crossed, heart pounding, Katie had no expectation that Marcus would even bother getting off the couch to follow her. But of course, Ms. Nosy McNoserson's gasped loud enough for the floor below them to hear and Katie turned around, eyes widening when a barefoot, shirtless, and slightly damp Marcus Flint strode toward her.
She studied his face, the shock on her own probably not a surprise. When he opened his mouth, Katie braced herself for some biting comment or for him to throw back what she said in her face. But he didn't. Instead, he looked her over, studying the make-up and the hair before rolling his eyes. Katie opened her mouth to say something but she was silenced when she felt herself yanked to Marcus, hands bracing themselves on his hard chest.
A groan of pure satisfaction escaped her when his lips found hers. This was not the reaction she'd expected. Not in a million years. In fact, this wasn't even on the table. Hell, it wasn't in the same room and yet, oddly enough, it was better than anything else. Saddened when he pulled away, his words had her lips curving upward and into am amused smile. Katie kissed him back, Ms. Nosy's gasp and disapproval barely registering. "I already knew you were worth it," she said, sliding her hands up his chest and around his neck as he deepened the kiss.
"Excuse me, deary," Ms. Nosy called. "Men don't want what they can get for free, you know."