Opposites Attract

“Damn, damn, damn.” She turned the deadlock one more time, only to find that the doorknob didn’t turn. She reversed the key in the doorknob, but the door still didn’t open.

Amy sighed and let her forehead fall hard against the door. She had a Masters Degree. She should be able to open a damn door.

“Problem?” The deep masculine voice behind her brought her head up quickly.

There was a brief struggle within her about whether or not to use her pepper-spray, which was immediately settled the moment she saw the Greek god that stood before her.

Tall and broad, he looked like he could easily hoist her currently ten pound overweight body right up and carry her to his bed without breaking a sweat. She liked the image of that. He smiled at her and his white teeth sparkled as brightly as his beautiful blue eyes. His strawberry blond hair was cropped short in almost a military cut. She would follow any command he gave, yes, sir.

Her gaze dropped to his left hand. No ring. Good sign. Who was this man and what would it take to make him hers? It’s raining men. Halleluiah, it’s raining men. Amen.

She cleared the lump from her throat. “Actually, yes. I can’t seem to get both locks to cooperate at the same time.”

He extended his hand and took the keys from her.

Real smart, Amy. This guy could be a serial killer and she’d just handed him the keys, as well as her life. No, she argued with herself. God would not be that cruel and put the mind of a serial killer inside a package like this. No way. Besides, this was a secure building and no one could even get in the front door without checking in with the doorman, so this guy must live here. Yummy, she sure hoped so.

“The deadlock key turns toward the right, you can remember that because you want the deadbolt to pull away from the doorframe. Okay?” He looked over his shoulder at her.

She nodded, feigning interest in what he was saying when in reality she was far more interested in watching his butt in those tight jeans.

“And the door knob turns the opposite way. Turn the key and the knob at the same time. It’ll probably take two hands for you.” He glanced down at her hands.

Doesn’t take two hands for you, does it, big boy?

Oh boy, wouldn’t those big hands feel good right about now. Jeez, it had been way too long since she had a man in her life. She better get herself under control before she started drooling.

The door swung open easily and he handed her back the keys, picked up her overnight bag and placed it effortlessly just inside the doorway. Still standing in the hall he asked,

“Anything else I can do for you?”

She shook her head. “Nope. Thanks for the help.” What are you, crazy? her libido yelled. Don’t let him get away. “Um, I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Amy Gerald. I’m a friend of Maria’s.”

“Ah.” One ginger-colored eyebrow rose.

“Ah?” What the hell did that mean?

“I meant that makes sense since you don’t look like the typical burglar. I’m Troy. Troy O’Donnell. I live right across the hall.” He extended his hand. Amy reached out and shook it, enjoying how big and warm it felt against her own.

“Nice to meet you—” A blur of motion caught Amy’s attention as the cat came whizzing out of the door. “Shit. I’m not supposed to let the cat out.”

She hadn’t even gotten into the apartment and she’d already messed up.

“Not to worry. He and I have a special relationship. I cat-sat for Maria last year while she was away.” With a smile, Troy bent and scooped up the cat that was weaving its way in and out between his legs, rubbing and purring loudly.

Amy knew just how the cat felt. She wouldn’t mind doing some rubbing against him herself and she was sure he could make her purr.

“I guess maybe I didn’t do such a good job, since she didn’t ask me again this year.” Troy stroked the cat in his arms.

“Oh, that’s not it at all.” Amy’s mouth was now dry from watching all the petting. “I offered. I needed to get out of my apartment for awhile.”

He raised an inquisitive brow. “Oh? Roommate trouble?”

“No, I live all alone.” She wanted to assure him of that. No roommate, no husband, no boyfriend, hint, hint. “It’s just my landlord thinks that because it’s after March first, it means he can turn off the heat no matter how cold it is outside.”

He nodded and handed her the cat, which she took from him with as much enthusiasm as if he had handed her a dirty diaper. “Well if you need anything while you’re here, just knock. I should be around. I filled in for a guy at work and did back-to-back twenty-four hour shifts so I have the next few days off.”

“Those are some hours. What do you do?”

He opened his ski jacket and pointed a thumb at the fire department insignia on his sweatshirt. “I’m with Ladder Company #3.”

She tried to control her glee. It was too good to be true. This guy was her dream man, the very stereotype of her fantasy of the hunky fireman. “That’s near my neighborhood. It’s good to know that my fire safety is in such capable hands.”

The cat was now in the process of trying to claw its way out of her arms, hooking her favorite cashmere coat in the process. A greased pig would be easier to hold than this thing. Talk about a kill joy. This cat was ruining her flirting with hunky fireman Troy.

“Do you need help with that cat?” Troy grabbed him mid-leap as the cat was about to make a break for freedom. He cuddled the again happy cat in the crook of his elbow.

“You sure have a knack with it…um I mean him. Actually I don’t have much experience with cats.”

“No?” Amy didn’t miss Troy’s sarcasm as he edged past her.