Chapter Text
After another long day at the vet clinic and battling the crazy drivers on my trek home, I pull into the garage of my building. Finally, I sigh to myself.
I drive up to the fifth floor and start looking for parking, getting excited when I see an open spot opposite the door to the elevator. I maneuver into the space, then sit with my hands on the steering wheel while leaning back onto the headrest. It shouldn’t be this hard to get motivated to leave the car, especially when I’m going home to an empty apartment. But it’s been tough adjusting to this new town and new job over the past few months. Getting the offer to take over the clinic came at the perfect time, just as I started questioning why I was still in Seattle after being left by the guy I moved there with because I thought he was the one. It had been 2 years since I ended our relationship, and I had come to hate the apartment and city full of harsh memories. And here I was in a new town where I knew no one and had no support.
After breathing for a few seconds, I exit the car. Opening the back door, I grab my backpack, and carefully stack the 3 paper bags filled with groceries in my arms. While balancing everything, I reach back in to pick up a small box of ginger ale.
As I teeter around the door, I hear behind me, “You coming this way?”
“Yeah!” I yell over my shoulder. I bump the back door closed with my hip and turn around. My breath catches as I see him holding the door, the hot guy I’ve been glimpsing from a distance since I moved into the building 3 months ago. Tall, dark, and handsome. Korean, I think, with beautiful brown eyes, black hair combed back, and wearing a very tailored dark maroon suit jacket, with matching pants and a crisp white business shirt. He was always dressed impeccably. And that ass was always a highlight.
Trying to keep calm, I walk towards the door. I can’t believe that he finally talks to me and I look like...this. He stands to the side, allowing me to pass. As I walk through the doorway, my shoulder bumps the frame and I start to juggle my bags. Slightly flustered, I mumble, “Ah shit!”
“Here, let me help you with that,” he says, his voice low and smooth. He takes one of the brown grocery bags from my arms, his hand grazing gently across my skin and sending shivers down my spine.
Down girl! I hadn’t been touched by a man in almost two years, and even that accidental touch was enough to get my dormant fires started again. “Thanks. I don’t know why I thought I could carry all this shit in one go.”
I hear him chuckle behind me as we walk towards the open elevator door. Inside, I see his usual companion. I’ve often seen them together in the building and figured they were friends or related. He was also a very good looking Korean, but a bit shorter and muscular. Where the first guy was svelte, this one was thick, but in a good way, and also had a nice ass. “What floor?” the friend asks.
“Ten please.” Buff guy hits the button for 10, then swipes a key card before pressing the button for the 25th floor. Interesting, I think to myself, the penthouse. They’re hot AND rich.
We ride the elevator in silence. I think about saying something, but am not sure what. Thankfully, the door opens. I turn to the first guy, “I can get that now,” nodding towards the bag.
“Nah, I got you,” he says motioning for me to exit with his arm outstretched.
“Okay then. I’m not too far down.” I nod to the buff one, who nods back, then I walk out and head down the hallway to my door. I grab my keys to unlock the deadbolt, pushing the door open and dropping my bags onto the bench next to it. “Thanks,” I say as I take the bag from him. “I honestly thought chivalry was dead.”
“Dying, not dead,” he counters with a smirk. As the corners of his lips turn up, two deep dimples appear, as if he needed to get more handsome.
I chuckle and try not to stare, “Yeah, definitely dying. Thanks again.”
“Not a problem. Hope you have a good evening.” He turns and walks back to the elevator.
“Bye,” I say as I watch him and that ass saunter down the hallway, the tailoring of the suit highlighting his broad shoulders and narrow waist. Damn, I think to myself as I enter my apartment and kick the door closed behind me.
I move all the grocery bags to the kitchen counter and spend the next 10 minutes putting everything away. My mind kept thinking back to the elevator. Why didn’t I say anything? I didn’t even think to ask his name. I shake my head, thinking about the missed opportunity, as I walk towards my bedroom while peeling off my t-shirt. I also remove my bra and jeans and throw everything into the hamper. I slip into a pair of black sweatpant shorts and throw on a cropped tank top. Afterward, I grab a thin headband and use it to tie my curls into a messy bun.
I walk back to the kitchen to grab a beer, and then plop onto the couch. Time to catch up on this week’s Real Housewives. Nothing like mindless entertainment to keep me from thinking about my missed shot.
About halfway through my second episode, I hear a knock at the door. I usually don’t have any guests on Friday nights unless I order delivery, so I’m a bit perplexed as to who it could be.
I grab my beer and walk to the door, opening it to find the hot guy from earlier leaning against the door frame, this time dressed in all black. Black jeans, black t-shirt, black baseball cap. His posture exudes confidence.
“Hey,” he says, his voice warm and inviting. As he speaks, his gaze locks onto mine with an intensity that catches me off guard. “I realized that I never introduced myself earlier. I’m Chris.” He extends his hand towards me, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Hi Chris,” I say, placing my hand in his. “Kay.”
"Kay," he repeats softly, his voice a deep, smooth rumble as he gives my hand a firm shake. Instead of letting go, his thumb makes a light, almost imperceptible circle on my wrist, sending shivers down my spine. "Nice to finally put a name to the face." He drops my hand and his gaze travels slowly from my face down the length of my body and back up again, taking in every curve and angle with an intensity that makes me feel both exposed and desirable. His tongue gently licks his bottom lip, a small hint of hunger flashing in his eyes. I start to feel a bit self-conscious about my choice of loungewear, but there's also a thrill at being watched so closely by him. The heat from his gaze spreads through me, making me slightly flustered and I can feel my heart beating hard in my chest. I’m hoping he can’t hear it. “You’ve been in the building a few months now, right? New to town?”
“Yeah. I moved here from Seattle,” I reply, trying to keep my cool. “Had to escape that fucking place.”
“Oh really! Everyone I’ve ever heard talk about Seattle loved it. I’ve only been there once for a business trip.” He reaches his left arm up to hold onto the frame. “I guess it wasn’t for you.” He leans in a bit closer to me. “Let’s hope you have a better time here,” he says softly with a charming smile, dimples fully on display.
“Well things are certainly looking up,” I say with a grin, trying to match his tone. “So do you always welcome the new single women to the building?” I raise an eyebrow as I take a sip of my beer.
He licks his lips again as he squints his eyes at me. “No.” He exhales slowly. “Just the hot ones.” A wide smile spreads across his face, dimples reemerging.
Heat rises to my cheeks as I struggle to maintain my composure. I open my mouth to say something, but shut it when nothing comes out. I usually don’t get this flustered around guys, but there’s something about him that makes me a bit nervous, although curious.
He leans back and ends the awkward silence by saying, “I’m hosting a party tomorrow night for my colleagues and business associates. If you don’t have plans, feel free to drop by. 25th floor. I’d love to see you come.”
I burst out laughing, unable to hold it back.
He chuckles shyly, releasing the door frame to lift the cap off his head and using his right hand to run his fingers through his hair before replacing the cap. “Yeah, I heard it when I said it.” He bites his bottom lip. “I meant I’d love to see you there.” His gaze is steady as he waits for my response.
I smirk and say, “Thanks for the invite. I’ll think about it.” I feel a rush of excitement at his invitation. There’s something about Chris that draws me in. Maybe it’s his easy charm or the way he exudes confidence without being overbearing. Or maybe it’s just the fact that he’s ridiculously attractive.
“Oh, you’ll think about it?” he says sassily, before chuckling. “You do that,” he counters. “Most people will arrive around 9:00. Bye Kay.” He gives me another once over with his eyes before turning to walk down the hall.
As I watch him walk away, my heart still racing from the encounter, I can’t yet fully process his invitation. “Bye Chris.” I call out behind him.
I close and lock the door. “Wow!” I say to the empty room. I lean against the wall and think about what it would feel like to have his hands move across my body like his eyes did and to have those plump pink lips pressed against mine. I feel a flutter of anticipation in my stomach. I take another swig of my beer, and place it on the counter before walking determinedly to my bedroom. Fuck the Real Housewives, I need to rub one out and Chris is gonna be the star of this fantasy. Who am I kidding? He’s been showing up in all of my masturbatory moments since I first saw him walking to his car my second day in the building. Now I had a name for the face I’d been dreaming of.