Chapter 2

“Oh! I didn’t mean you should—”

His one-shouldered shrug cut me off. “No big deal. I can deadlift more than you weigh. This is nothing.”

That huge grin again. Did he ever stop smiling? I wasn’t likely to find out, but I was more than happy to bask in it while I could. I dropped my gaze as I slid my foot into the forgotten shoe, then started the trek up the stairs. My savior kept pace easily up the next three flights and wasn’t even winded when we reached the top floor.

“The penthouse floor. Nice! I should have guessed a pretty man like you would have nothing but the best.”

I squinted again. Was that an insult? Or did he actually think I was pretty? I couldn’t tell. He seemed earnest enough, but I’d been burned too many times to trust someone right now. Especially a man. Especially if he knew who I was. My gut reaction was to go on the defensive, but I bit my tongue as I pushed open the door. I hadn’t gotten as far as I had by making rash decisions. And though my track record with men wasn’t the best, I was much more practical with business. I knew when to keep my mouth shut.

The top floor had two penthouse lofts, one on either side of the hall. Mine was the larger, facing the east so I could watch the sunrise, and didn’t have the elevator taking twenty feet of potential space. It was also the only one that was occupied. The building had been open for occupancy for only six months, and though the rest of the building was full, the second penthouse had yet to be leased.

“This is me.” I gestured to the double doors halfway down the hall on the left. I pulled my fob from my pocket and held it to the RFID reader beside the door. The light turned green, and I pushed open the door.

“The keyless entry is why I moved in here,” my companion said conversationally as I held the door for him to enter behind me. “Very secure. I like feeling safe.”

Pride swelled in my chest. That was the exact reason I’d chosen that method of locks for the building. My contractor had been against it because he thought it was an unnecessary expense. The wiring alone had put things over budget, and he was worried things would go wrong. But I had insisted. A keyless lock was a lot harder to break into than a traditional one, and I wanted the highest security possible. Full-time security staff wasn’t enough.

“I’m Chase, by the way. Chase Prinsen. I just moved in on the second floor about three weeks ago. But man, my place is nothing like yours. This is amazing. And that view…” He whistled out a sound I thought meant he was impressed as he shook his head. Then he shot me another smile as he headed toward the kitchen.

“Thank you,” I responded quietly, glancing around myself. The bulk of the loft was a huge, open concept space. The kitchen flowed right into the dining room, which seamlessly became the living room. I didn’t want walls breaking up the space, especially with the fifteen-foot ceilings. Instead, I’d chosen to delineate the separate “rooms” with furniture. It had taken months and at least twenty meetings with the designer before she’d come up with a concept I liked. I’d added my own touches since, so the place no longer looked like a magazine spread, and instead, felt like home.

I realized Chase was standing in the middle of the kitchen, holding the bags still, and I hurried forward. “Just set them on the counter there. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome, uh…” He gave me a pointed look and only then did I realize I’d neglected to introduce myself.

It was a good thing I’d mastered blushes fifteen years ago or one would have heated my face now. I shook my head at my own foolishness. “I’m Eli Brenner.”

“Eli Brenner,” he repeated thoughtfully, putting the bags on the counter. Only when they were fully resting on the marble did he let go of the handles. “Why does your name sound familiar?”

He didn’t know. Somehow that made me feel a lot better. He’d offered help because he wanted to, not because of my wealth or notoriety. When was the last time that had happened to me? I couldn’t even remember.

“Well, um, you’ve probably heard it around. If you ever watch the news. Or pick up a paper. Or read the contract you signed when you moved in.”

Chase stared at me for a moment, his brow furrowed in concentration. And then, all at once, his expression lightened and that big grin I was already in love with blossomed across his lips. He snapped his fingers, then pointed at me.