Just Breathe

by Rachel Brookes

  Holy shit!

  My body felt like it had been hit by a freight train, and my breath escaped my chest when my eyes first landed on him.

  Standing by the lifts was Mr. Sex on Legs. He held himself with a confidence that would make any woman squirm. He was perfection, the ultimate panty dropper. I watched from afar in pure amusement as his hands lingered on the hips of a giggling young woman, who was wearing a skirt that left nothing to the imagination. He whispered in her ear, softly kissing her neck while she continued giggling. He had no regard for where he was or who could be watching. I smirked to myself as I watched him; I could pick a player from a mile away because it was like I was watching myself. He was using all of my favorite moves.

  The sight of him made my breath catch and caused my body to react in all the right places. My brow furrowed as I drank in his delights, I was desperate to memorize every inch of him. He was what I liked to call my perfect prey, and he ticked all the right boxes: dark brown, scruffy just-had-a-wild-time-in-bed hair—check; piercing blue eyes—check; eyelashes that lasted for days—check; and a set of lips that were begging to be bitten—check. He was a true example of absolute perfection and I was like a stalking lioness admiring from afar, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.

  Regretfully, I broke my heated gaze from him and wheeled my suitcase to the reception desk. Every inch of my body was begging to turn around. I wanted to ogle him, stare at him, drink in his good looks and soak in his sexiness. The feeling of being watched washed over me and the feeling of eyes burning deep into my back excited me. I couldn’t do anything to stop myself from turning around. My green eyes locked with his deep blues across the foyer and I gave him my famous seductive smirk. I had to be on game; I had to pull him in. Savannah Rae, do what you do best, I chanted to myself.

  He bit his perfect bottom lip as his eyes glanced over me. His gaze was penetrating and incredibly seductive as if he was memorizing every inch of my body. I craved him; I wanted nothing more than to destroy him in all the right ways and make him never forget who I was. I grudgingly broke eye contact from Mr. Perfect Prey and turned back to the receptionist when I heard her calling my name. Ten minutes later I had keys, a map in my hand and was given directions on where my apartment was. My eyes scanned the reception area as I was leaving with hope I would see him again, however my hopes were dashed. He was nowhere to be found but that didn’t stop his sexiness from lingering in the air.

  My patience was fading. I tapped my foot impatiently as I waited by the lifts, my aggravation growing by the second as I watched the numbers slowly move up and down, stopping at every floor but the foyer. All I wanted to do was find my apartment and sleep off the jet lag that was taking over.

  I stiffened as soon as I felt someone stand way too close behind me. I knew that I was the only one waiting for the lift, so why the hell did they feel the need to stand this close? I could feel the person’s breath on the back of my neck and I could feel the heat of the person’s body against me. Mix a lack of sleep, a lack of substantial food for eighteen hours and an inconsiderate person stealing my personal space, and you’ve got one very angry Australian ready to pounce.

  I was ready to explode at the creep who had decided my personal space was not important, but I lost all ability to speak when I swung around. My perfect prey was within inches of me, his deep blue eyes watching me and drawing me in. My body ignited and I was sure that he could feel the lust that was oozing off my body. A smirk lingered on the lips I wanted to nibble, and the way his body was so close to mine stunned me into submission.

  I stepped into the awaiting lift and knew by the way my body came alive that he was close behind me, sans the giggling girl. My back pressed hard against the cold metal wall opposite him. We didn’t say a word too each other but we didn’t have to. Leaning against the wall with his masculine arms folded over his chest, his eyes burned holes in mine and I was lost in the intensity of his gaze. A soft sigh escaped my lips as his eyes ran up and down my body again, and the moment he bit his bottom lip, I nearly lost all control right there in the lift. I felt my body scorch under his gaze, and I couldn’t deny the reaction I had to him. He was quite possibly the most attractive man I had ever had the pleasure of staring at, and I wanted him in every sense of the word.

  “This is my stop,” I whispered as the lift halted to a jerky stop. The door slowly opened, but it didn’t eradicate the electricity that was firing between us. My breath escaped me as soon as he took a slow step toward me, breaking the space I had put between us. I felt the heat between us soar. His hand swung behind me and he pounded the stop button to cease the door closing. His eyes were searching every inch of my face and I sighed again as his eyes hovered over my mouth. His lips curved at the sound of my sigh, he was clearly enjoying the trauma he was putting my body through. The thought of ripping his clothes off like a wild animal and taking him in the lift almost overcame me.

  His intense eyes didn’t leave me as he leaned down toward me. I watched his lips closely as they made their way toward me in all of their pink and pouty glory, that bottom lip…god, I’d love to bite it. I took a deep breath as I felt his breath on my ear. “I’ll be seeing you,” he murmured in a voice that was deep, gravelly and intoxicating. The feeling of promise lingering in his words excited every inch of my now highly responsive body.

  I stepped out of the lift with shaky legs, almost forgetting to wheel my suitcase behind me. I didn’t hesitate; I turned to bask in his glory one last time. He rested against the back wall of the lift with a confidence that made me nervous. Guys never made me nervous, so this was a strange feeling to have butterflies circling my stomach. I bit my lip and focused my eyes on his as he gave me his best panty-dropping smile and I threw one back at him. The tension between us was increasing by the second. The apartment could be on fire and I wouldn’t have noticed, I’d still be standing here, having a smirk-off with him. The glass doors shut in front and broke the tension around me. My conversation with Mr. Davenport started replaying in my head. How was I going to resist what I had left in the lift?

  I trudged down the carpeted hall with heavy steps as I anxiously searched for my apartment. 5C was glistening on a bright white door as I fumbled with the key of my apartment. I swung open the door in eagerness and stepped into the unknown. The scent of cherry blossom and vanilla lingered in the air, and a cool breeze was swimming through the apartment from the open glass doors that led to the balcony. I placed the keys and my handbag on the glass table in the foyer and walked through in a trance. My fingertips ran along the perfectly off-white walls and timber floorboards caressed my bare feet in every room. The kitchen was spacious and had stainless steel appliances. There was a vase of freshly cut flowers and a bottle of wine on the bench with a note addressed to me.

  Hi Sav,

  Welcome to L.A.! I hope you like the flowers and wine. The first of many bottles of wine we will be sharing. Call me when you are settled. I cannot wait to actually meet you face to face.

  Tanzi x

  I searched the cupboards for a wineglass and corkscrew and eagerly popped the cork. I sighed in anticipation as the red liquid filled the glass. I was a wino from way back. It may have been 11 a.m. in L.A., but it was definitely wine time in Australia, and hell, I’d already had a Long Island Iced Tea. I continued walking through my new apartment with a smile plastered on my face. It was so surreal that I’d be calling this place my home. The living room was irresistibly spacious and inviting with a gorgeous leather couch, and the biggest television I had ever seen was mounted on the wall. I couldn’t wait to curl up on the lounge and watch movies.

  I made it to my bedroom; the one place that I knew would be my sanctuary and my escape. No one but me would be stepping into this room, and definitely no one would be sleeping in my bed. Rule number one: No man stays the night. My heart almost beat out of my chest as soon as I walked through the double doors into my escape. In the middle of the room was a king-size bed with a plush-looking comforter
and pillows that were begging me to join them. My eyes caught two doors located on the far wall. I opened door number one to find a walk-in closet and door number two was a private bathroom. This was way too much to handle. How could I have possibly deserved this? I placed my glass of wine on the nightstand and walked out to get my suitcase from the living room. I was in desperate need of a shower and a long nap. I knew I needed to stay awake and fight jet lag, but my bed was inviting, and the thought of putting my head on those pillows was more welcoming than being a cranky bitch for the rest of the day.

  I lathered by weary body with my favorite strawberry body wash and sighed in bliss as hours of being stuck in a stuffy plane washed off. I felt myself begin to relax under the stream of piercing hot water. Once my skin started turning into a prune, I reluctantly got out of the shower and dressed in my favorite pair of sweatpants and climbed into bed. The mattress swallowed me and without a blink of my eye I began to fall into a deep sleep.

  My last thought…how I would conquer Mr. Perfect Prey.

  Chapter Three

  The growl of my stomach pulled me out of my state of rest. That had to be one of the best sleeps I have had in years and I didn’t have one nightmare. Maybe jet lag was the secret medicine I had been searching for years. I stretched my cramping limbs and blindly fumbled for my phone amongst my sheets and typed in a quick text.

  Me: Tanzi, I am here! I have napped and now I am starving. What time are we doing dinner?

  Within minutes a reply came through.

  Tanzi: That’s the best news I’ve received all day. Come to my place in an hour. I am taking you out for the best Italian in town and cocktails at my brother’s bar. I’m in 7B.

  An hour to get ready! Shit! I jumped out of bed and rushed around like a mad woman. I pulled out a fresh pair of skinny jeans, my black heels and my black and silver strapless top before hurrying to the bathroom. I had no idea if my outfit was L.A. enough, or if I’d look like an L.A. wannabe. I had decided on simplicity, so I let my long caramel-blonde hair cascade over my shoulders in soft curls and my face had just enough makeup to make a statement. I knew this look worked in Sydney but Los Angeles was a whole new universe.

  Nerves hit me as I stood outside 7B; I took a deep breath to try and stop the butterflies banging around in my tummy. What if Tanzi didn’t like me? She was one of the big positives about moving to L.A.! Screw it, I lightly knocked on the door and within seconds the door flung wide open and I was greeted by a set of big blue eyes and the killer smile of Tanzi Connors. She was the type of girl who could stop traffic. Her hair was dark, luscious and full, falling to the middle of her back. Her blue eyes on their own would make any man swoon, but combine that we the perfect pout, perfect bone structure and a supermodel body and she had heartbreaker written all over her.

  I was pulled into a bear hug as Tanzi squealed in my ear and nearly burst an eardrum in the process. “Savannah!”

  As she pulled away, she stepped back and her eyes ran the length of my body, analyzing my outfit, immediately filling my body with self-doubt. Pull yourself together, Savannah, I scolded myself.

  “You are a heartbreaker, my friend. Come in! Let’s have shots.” I exhaled loudly in relief at her words, and I couldn’t help but allow my confidence to soar sky-high.

  I pulled out a stool in her sophisticated kitchen and watched Tanzi search for shot glasses. Her kitchen looked similar to mine, but instead of white accents she had black and her appliances gleaned in stainless steel. It looked very Hollywood chic and very sophisticated. I couldn’t help but focus on the impressive collection of liquor that was lined on the shelf above the fridge. All my best friends were there: vodka, bourbon, gin and most importantly, tequila.

  She lifted her gaze from the shot she was pouring and gave me a knowing smile. “I live here with my twin. God only knows where he is now.”

  I smiled as she slid a shot glass brimming with tequila toward me. “How did you know tequila was my poison?” I asked as I lifted the first shot to my lips.

  “Oh babe, you and I are going to become the very best of friends! Bottoms up.”

  We slammed down our shots and the familiar feeling of warmness that only tequila could provide floated through my veins. God, I loved this feeling. Tequila was like my instant confidence booster—the one thing that provided me with my no-nonsense attitude to guys and the kick in the butt I needed when my insecurities reared their ugly head. Tequila made me forget my darkest days and that was why it was my best friend. I didn’t need alcohol to give me confidence, but what girl didn’t want to have just that little bit more sass? I was in a new city where new opportunities were everywhere, and when I say opportunities I clearly meant guys.

  “Dinner is at nine and then I thought we could hit up Red Velvet,” Tanzi suggested before handing me another shot of tequila. This girl was ready for a big night. I loved her. My stomach groaned at the thought of waiting for dinner at nine. This was one thing that I’d have to get accustomed to, in Australia I was usually eating by seven.

  “What’s Red Velvet?” I asked eyeing off the shot glass in my hand and throwing it down.

  “It’s only the hottest bar in L.A.”

  My head swung around at the sound of the husky voice behind me, and my body stood at attention as my eyes landed on him. It couldn’t be.

  “Tate, you are so full of yourself,” Tanzi scoffed at Mr. Perfect Prey. “Savannah, this idiot is my twin brother, Tate, who happens to own Red Velvet and this gorgeous delicious man is my boyfriend, Jack.” Tanzi smiled as she wrapped her arms around the waist of a tall blond man and snuggled into him.

  SHIT!

  The object of my affection from the lift had his eyes locked firmly on me and I knew his mind would be racing as he tried to place me. His hand rubbed the back of his neck and his delicious blue eyes narrowed in on me. God he was sexy. I bit my lip and watched him as his eyes ran over my body. I let out my breath as I saw recognition flash across his face and he smirked the moment I flashed in his memories. You’re the girl from the elevator, he mouthed in my direction. I winked, causing a smirk to cross his face. The feeling that I was about to start playing a dangerous game excited me.

  I was distracted from my not-so-subtle stare-off with who I now knew as Tate when Jack’s arms engulfed tightly around my waist. “Argh, the infamous Savannah. This one hasn’t stopped taking about you since the moment she knew you were moving here,” he said, nodding toward Tanzi.

  My eyes drifted back to the wonderfully sexy Tate Connors, who was now in the middle of a quiet yet animated conversation with Tanzi in the living room. He moved with a confidence that I was certain lured many women into his bed, it sure as hell made me want to get in his bed. His voice alone was a delight, but the intensity of his eyes and the way his perfectly pursed lips curled into the smirk was what had me hooked. My body wanted him, my mind saw prey, but I knew I had to play it safe. After all, this was my new friend’s brother. I shouldn’t really be considering him as a conquest.

  “Drinks, we need drinks,” Tate announced as he walked into the kitchen, breaking his conversation with Tanzi. I was confused when Tanzi looked at me with a nervous glance and I noticed her curls move slowly as she shook her head slightly. Was she reading my mind? Did she know I was already having sex with her brother in my mind?

  “So tell me, who is Savannah?” Tate quizzed as he looked up at me through his long eyelashes. He strutted around the kitchen like a man on a mission, and I couldn’t stop my eyes from focusing longingly on the way his dark denim jeans hung off his hips. I had to bite my lip to contain the sigh that was begging to escape as he stood on tiptoes to grab a bottle from the top shelf, his white shirt lifting subtly to allow me a glimpse at his tanned and toned lower back. I caught the quick hint of black ink. He had a tattoo. I was such a sucker for tattoos. This wasn’t good.

  “Savannah is no one you need to know, Tate,” Tanzi yelled from the living room. Tanzi had already told me all about her womanizing and hi
ghly unpredictable brother, but she had failed to mention he looked like this.

  Tate nodded to the cocktails he had put in front of me and I grabbed them. We walked toward the living room with Tate closely on my tail. He cleared his throat softly. “Nice ass,” he muttered. I couldn’t help but smile to myself. Let the games begin.

  “So who is Savannah?” Tate asked again as he placed the cocktails on the glass table in the center of the room.

  I looked at him as I sat on the love seat in the corner of the living room and considered my response. There was a lot I could say to him, but whether it was appropriate to say in front of Tanzi was another thing. I raised my eyebrow before wrapping my lips around the straw and taking a sip of my cocktail. “What do you want to know?” I asked suggestively.

  “Jesus, Sav! Don’t ask him that!” Tanzi pleaded as she took a seat on Jack’s lap across the living room.

  Taking a seat on the floor in front of me, Tate looked up at me with eyes of unadulterated intention and it was then that I was able to see just how truly and devastatingly beautiful his eyes were. Eyes that were the bluest of blue were watching me. They were the kind of eyes that would make you forget about everything around you, the type of eyes that you would get lost in, the type of eyes that would be able to make you do anything and everything without any thought of inhibition or consequence. They were the dangerous type of eyes.

  Tate bit his lip and turned his full attention to me. “Okay, well, what about bra size, favorite position and whether we should just leave now and get it over and done with? You know I’ve never had an Australian before,” he retorted, arrogance dripping off his every word.