“Sure thing. How was your interview?” He asks genuinely curious, and I beam at him. “That good, huh? Well, I’m glad to hear that Mia. You deserve it! This one’s on the house. Congrats!”
“Thanks, Kyle.” I smile shyly at him, and we make our way to the dance floor, martinis in hand.
Steph and I met Kyle when we started frequenting Luxe a year ago. I personally think he’s got a thing for Steph, but she won’t hear of it. He’s definitely hot; muscular, tall, structured face with sandy hair and green eyes. Who wouldn’t want to date a hot bartender? Plus, he’s the sweetest guy I know. After a few months of coming into Luxe and getting to know him, we all became friends outside the bar, too. He’s never made a pass on Steph, which is why I think she ignores what I tell her, but he’s just shy. I’m sure he doesn’t want to ruin a good friendship.
We begin dancing to the beat of the music enjoying our drinks and ourselves. We get another round of martinis and explore our options for the evening dancing with different guys around us. Steph signals her empty glass and I nod. I hand her my martini glass, and she goes to get us another round of drinks. I continue dancing, moving in perfect harmony to the changing beats.
I feel someone dancing up on me. I turn around to get a glimpse of the face whose hips are rubbing on my backside, and I am totally caught off guard when I stare into a pair of beautiful blue-green eyes full of passion and desire. They are such an interesting color, perfect balance between blue and green, like a peaceful ocean. I can work with this. I am already passed my point of no return from my earlier drinks at happy hour and the martinis I’ve been drinking and feeling extra confident. I dance on him, so close that I can feel him everywhere. He pulls his hands around my waist and keeps me close to him.
“Hey,” I yell over the music.
“Hi,” he breathes.
“I’m Mia. Nice to meet you...”
“Grayson.”
I put my arms around him mimicking his moves, and we’re dancing closely in the crowded club. I am definitely feeling those martinis with each turn and grind I feel from him. He knows his way around the dance floor and doesn’t skip a beat keeping me up to speed with him. I can usually hold up my own, but after my drinks and spellbound feeling I felt looking into his eyes, I am struggling to keep my feet from betraying me. Boy is he beautiful. He has got the most amazing, devilish smile and expressive eyes I have ever seen. I can’t tell if it’s desire or pure mock for my lack of breath with his dancing. His eyes change throughout our interaction from blue to green, dancing with desire maybe?
They are highlighted even more by his copper, layered, messy hair. He’s strong. I feel his muscles under his blue shirt and grin slyly. His jaw is angled perfectly, like a model. Actually, he’s hotter than the models we work with in Rave Magazine. He’s tall, over six feet. I need to tilt my head back a bit to look at him.
Between the music and the dancing I need some fresh air. “I’ll be right back,” I tell him.
“Are you okay?” I hear a hint of honest concern in his voice.
“Yes, just need some fresh air outside.” He nods in understanding and lets go of my grasp. I stumble my way through the crowd towards the door to take a deep breath of fresh air. I make it through and am found with relief to be outside in the cool air breathing normally. Whoa, that was intense. Grayson is his name right? I thought I heard a bit of a southern drawl in his voice, but maybe it was the loud music. I must admit I would not mind a hot cowboy making his way to me. You know what they say, save a horse, ride a cowboy. Oh, I intend to do just that.
I am deep in thought when I feel intense eyes burning into my side. I turn around and am startled as I see Grayson looking at me; concern and desire mixed in together.
“I wanted to make sure you were okay,” he says inching closer to me. I can feel this inexplicable electricity pulling us together.
“Oh, I am more than okay.” I smile.
“Good. I didn’t want you running off on me before I was done with you.” There’s promise in that statement, and I squirm involuntarily under his gaze. Damn, he’s hot. “Ready to go back inside?”
“Yes.” I say, breathlessly. What the hell is wrong with me? Keep it together, Mia!
We make our way back into the club and head straight to the bar to order another round. What’s one more martini anyway? I could use some refreshment from this intense encounter.
I feel strangely comfortable with him, like I’ve met him before, yet at the same time shy–a feeling I’m not all too familiar with. Honestly, I’m not ready to leave him yet, and worry overwhelms me. I have never felt this way before. He’s intoxicating me. There is some kind of pull between us, not letting me cut the grasp he has on me.
We continue dancing the rest of the night. By 3:00 AM I am feeling those martinis way more than I want to admit, and I cannot keep dancing straight. I need to keep it together before I lose my chance to ride my cowboy, but I slowly feel myself slipping and surrendering to the alcohol.
“Do you want to get out of here?” “You look really tired and, quite frankly, you can barely stand on your own two feet,” he asks me.
“Yes. Let’s go to my place.” I skim the area for Steph to let her know I’m leaving. I find her and we make eye contact. I give her a nod towards Grayson, and she nods in understanding.
I can tell the curiosity is eating at her about who this mysterious man is. He doesn’t look like my typical conquests. No, there’s definitely something different about him. He stands out here in one of Portland’s best clubs, tall and well built with his blue button down shirt, well fitted accentuating his muscles, his dark jeans with brown cowboy boots.
We head out of Luxe, and he leads the way to his car. The cool, fresh air is welcoming after the heat and crowd from the club inside. He opens the door for me, and I slip into the car. He climbs in a few seconds later and we’re off.
We arrive at my apartment, and I am filled with desire for this stranger. I am feeling braver, more aggressive. I turn to gaze at him, and I grab his head in my hands and pull him into me, kissing him, exploring his mouth with my tongue, and he mine. We work each other up in perfect unison. I lead him to my room without letting go, opening and closing the door behind us. I push him up against it, head swirling and dizzy. He stops me and says, “As much as I would love to continue this, I don’t think it would be very honorable of me to do so under your state of inebriation.” Wow is that accent hot. Who would’ve thought?
“Don’t worry about being a gentleman. I am not looking for one, although a hot cowboy I wouldn’t mind. You know what they say, save a horse ride a cowboy.” He looks at me surprised.Did I just say that out loud? So much for keeping my mouth shut from any stupid comments. Oh, God. I flush red. What’s wrong with me? I am always so on top of my game, cool, calm, and flirtatious, not saying inappropriate statements.
He laughs at my comment, shaking his head. “Can I use your restroom?” Is he trying to divert the conversation from my stupidity or does he really need to use it.
I nod and point the way. “Down the hall to the right.”
I sit in my bed waiting for him, suddenly flooded with sleepiness and intoxication. I lay down to wait for him, and slowly feel myself drifting to sleep. I barely hear the door open, but I can’t make myself open my eyes. I hear some shuffling around the room, and before I know it I’m asleep. The last thought swirling in my head is that I have lost the chance to be with Grayson.
If you enjoyed reading this preview, you can read how the story continues in Perfectly Imperfect.
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, a huge thank you to my readers. I am honored that you have read my work and given me a chance to take you through this journey. It is amazing to hear from you and feel the support you’ve shown me. I do this for you. Thinking about my writing the other day, I thought to myself, Every time someone reads one of my books, they see a part of me I’ve hidden from the world, and that’s both equally terrifying and freei
ng. Thank you for allowing me to show you a part of me.
Veronica Garcia, thank you for all the laughs, inspiration, and ridiculous conversations that led to great stories and plot twists. Magnolia Thunderpussy is forever grateful. You are the Katie to my Ava, the Dan to my Ethan, the Thelma to my Louise. Not sure this book would’ve been completed without you. You’ve helped and supported me throughout this crazy experience, put up with my stressful moments and obsessive thoughts. There is not enough Gin in the world to repay you. I may need to buy stocks in Hendricks.
Alina Rocha, my sister from another mister, thank you! You have been cheering me on, loving my characters from the beginning, and supporting me unconditionally. Thank you for taking the time to read and edit this novel. Your motivation and encouragement mean the world to me. You will always be my favorite roomie.
Jennifer Benedit and Noemi Batista, you have been my cheerleaders since before I even thought I’d actually hit publish all those months ago with Perfectly Imperfect. You’ve pushed me to continue writing and to continue creating stories and characters. Through all my crazy thoughts, you’ve listened and read the stories. I can’t thank you enough or express how much that means to me.
I want to thank my family for being so understanding and encouraging through this entire journey. I know the sacrifice that goes with writing, but I am so appreciative of your support and understanding throughout it.
To all my friends who have been supporting me along the way, new and old, thank you. It means the world to me that you’ve taken the time to read my stories. Your words of kindness are priceless. A special thanks to Miriam Barrios. Through our love of reading we have established a friendship I cherish. Thank you for taking the time to look over my books with so much care. I truly appreciate it.
To the amazing authors that took me in and have helped me learn and grow as an author and person. I have met so many in the process and created wonderful friendships. My girls, I probably would be hiding in a corner without your support and guidance. I am forever grateful for all you have done. Susan Ward–my crazy and loving GP, Christy Pastore, Rachel Blaufeld, Ashley Erin, Andrea Joan, Salem Archer, and Christa and Jill from CJ Wells, words can’t explain how grateful I am to you.
Last, but definitely not least, I want to thank the amazing bloggers who have been so supportive. Smutty Book Friends, Sexyways of Reading, Danielle’s Escape, Trina & Taylor’s Bedtime Stories, Fictional Rendezvous Book Blog, Reading & Writing Between the Wines, and BBF - Book Boyfriends Forever to name a few of the amazing blogs who took a chance on me. I am so grateful for you!
About the Author
Fabiola Francisco is an independent author and publisher from Miami, FL. She has always loved writing, and her love for books has inspired her to write her own story. She is an avid reader of romance novels.
She writes stories that readers could relate to and grow with. She hopes to continue writing more stories to reach readers individually.
Fabiola enjoys writing about life and love, including romance in her stories. She also loves expressing herself through art and being out in nature.
You can connect with Fabiola here:
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Thank you for reading my book. It has been an amazing experience sharing this with you! If you enjoyed it, won’t you please take a moment to leave me a review?
Thanks!
Fabiola Francisco
Books by Fabiola Francisco
Perfectly Imperfect
Restoring Us
Resisting You (Restoring Us Novella) Coming Spring 2015
Restoring Us Page 36
