Karly made sure to keep
her head down, wanting to avoid another run-in. Her gaze skittered over fallen
leaves and flagstone tiles. Through the corner of her eye, she spotted a man in
a suit and a few servers. Her fingers tightened around her key chain with every
step, wanting to be far from the chaos of the evening.
She was almost to the
main street, when she bumped into a solid wall of muscle that threatened to
knock her on her ass. Her keys flew from her hands as she began to fall
backward. Before she hit the ground, two strong hands reached out and caught
her around the waist. She glanced up and into the gorgeous face of the god
she’d seen earlier.
Up close, he was even
more stunning and taller than she’d calculated. He exuded strength and
masculinity, and when he focused that intense magnetism on her, all the air
left her lungs, along with her ability to speak.
Genuine concern flashed
in his whiskey colored eyes. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?” His voice was like warm
chocolate, melting her insides. When he dropped his hands, Karly could still
feel the imprints on her skin.
“Y-yes, I’m fine. I’m
the one who should be apologizing. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was
going.” Her heart pounded wildly in her chest. The man smelled incredible, like
sandalwood and clean laundry.
“No need for apologies.
Maybe you should sit down for a minute and have a drink with me.” There was
elegance in the way he spoke that made her think of old money and private
school.
For a moment she
thought about taking him up on his offer, but she wasn’t in the frame of mind
to pull off light conversation or flirty banter at this point. “Thanks, but I
have to pass. This night, well, it didn’t turn out the way I’d hoped so I think
it’s my cue to go.” She did her best to school her features, but inside she was
feeling raw and vulnerable. The only thing she wanted to do was go home, soak
in a hot bath, and lick her wounds.
His searing gaze swept
over her and made butterflies flutter in her stomach “Perhaps I can make it better.
Stay and have a drink with me.”
She glanced at his
jacket for his nametag, but like her, he wasn’t wearing one. “I’m guessing
you’re in either sales or politics, and if this is all for a campaign donation,
I’m sorry, I already gave at the office.” Immediately she got a vibe telling
her he was his own boss, which wasn’t hard to figure out. The man exuded
confidence and power.
The throaty sound of
his laughter raised goose bumps on her flesh. “So you’re funny and beautiful
that’s quite a rare combo, Miss….?”
His words slid over her
like a warm caress. A flush spread across her cheeks. She shook her head, a
little dazed by the compliment. It would be hard not to succumb to his charms. If she was honest, his scent alone
was driving her crazy. No, the man spelled danger. “I’m sorry. I should go.
Good night and uh, nice running into you.” She sucked in a breath, turned and
took a step toward the street.
“I don’t think you’ll
get far without these,” he said in a bone-melting voice that forced her to turn
around. He held up her keys in his hand.
She’d become so dazzled
by his looks, she’d completely forgotten about them flying out of her hands. “Right.
Thanks.”
“My pleasure.” The way
he said the word pleasure conjured images of their bodies tangled together,
rolling around in satin sheets. The air sizzled with sexual tension. Slowly, he
closed the distance between them and placed the keys in her hands. She
purposely avoided touching him, but his fingers grazed hers, sending a spark of
awareness up and down her arm.
“Don’t go,” he
whispered.
“Why?” She was curious
to hear what he’d say next.
“I can’t let you
disappear into the night without telling me your name.” The words were spoken
in a commanding tone that normally would've irritated her, but for some reason
when he said them they hit every one of her buttons. “You can give me that much
can’t you? It’s not every day I meet someone that captivates me and you have,
quite thoroughly I might add.”
The scorching heat in
his gaze made her shiver. She swallowed and tried to regain her equilibrium.
It’d been a long time since a man had looked at her with such blatant desire.
“I’m impressed— that’s quite a pick-up line. I’m curious, does it usually
work?”
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