by Lily Ryan
I reach into my pocket, pull a tissue out and dab the wet spot on his suit jacket. I stop suddenly. Embarrassed at the liberty I’ve taken. My hand is still touching him. Heat fills my face as I look up, and meet his eyes for the first time.
I don’t just meet his eyes, I’m lost in them. My stomach tumbles in nervous anticipation as I stand frozen, mesmerized, by his steely grey eyes.
“Forget it,” the stranger says.
I don’t want to forget it. Or him.
“The yolks on you,” I recover.
“Very funny,” he snaps.
“I didn’t mean . . .” I look away, disappointed he didn’t get my humor. Why should he be any different than the rest of the guys I've come into contact with?
“Yes, you did.” After a moment he continues. “Good thing I like my eggs scrambled,” the corners of his lips turn up ever so slightly.
Time stops. Captivated by the gleam in his eyes, I try to speak. My mouth opens, but no sound leaves it. I pull my eyes from his, once again self-conscious.
It takes an instant for me to realize how close we are. Close enough that I feel him block the cool breeze blowing behind him. We’re inches away. Much too close for strangers on a Brooklyn street corner.
I step back, retreat. If I can create space between us I can catch my breath and regain my composure. The distance helps. But he still unnerves me. Just a quick glance at him through the corner of my eye has me floating six feet off the ground.
I open my purse and reach inside, “The least I can do is pay for the dry cleaning.”
With a light touch he places his hand on my wrist. My whole arm tingles. I never felt anything like this before. I've read about it in romance novels, but I don't believe anything like this happens in real life. Until I look up and meet his eyes.
“I don’t want your money. How about a cup of coffee instead?”
“You want me to buy you coffee?”
He smiles, showing off a set of deep dimples. “I want you to join me for a cup of coffee in the café across the street.”
I look away and shake my head, “I shouldn't. I have a long drive.”
“You do owe me,” he reminds me, with a raised brow.
I press my lips into a thin line contemplating the offer. A nervous rumbling in my belly makes it clear that I want to go. I really want to go with him.
But I don’t know if I should because he has me off balance. My heart flutters like mad with every glance, and he’s so easy on the eyes, all I want to do is stare at him.
Besides, it’s late. And I am tired. Aren’t I?
My nerve endings have been leaping and swirling since we touched. Not only my nerve endings, my entire body. What better than a cup of Joe to wear off some of the surging adrenaline? Given enough time and motivation, I can justify anything.
Seeing my hesitation he coaxes me. “Just a cup of coffee.”
I’m unable to resist. What harm could come of one cup of coffee? I need caffeine. Caffeine is my friend. That’s why I bumped into him in the first place.
“Sure,” I say with a smile, “I’d love to.”
Other books by Lily Ryan
His Condition
Stark Me
Friends are for Sharing
Loving Lucas
Stalk me sights. I love interacting with my readers, oops, I mean stalkers!
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Acknowledgements
I’d like to once again thank my husband for being my wall of strength, and you the reader, who gave me the opportunity to enter your life. There are so many other people that have been helping me out and supporting me along the way. Thank you Taylor Sullivan for yet another amazing cover. I have so much fun going through the process with you. We’re at a point where I feel like you could see into my mind. Thank you Lainey Da Silva for picking up Stark Me and sticking with me ever since. I seriously don’t know what I’d do without you. Because of all that you do, I get to spend more time writing and playing with my characters. Thank you Serena Worker and Carol Evans. The Three Book Eaters, Hopelessly addicted to romance, Unnofficial girls night in, Inbetween the Pages book blog, Its all about the happy ever after blog, Magical words of a book, Lety's Book Blog, The Lawless land of books, The Three Bookeaters, Jaqueline and Nikki’s book corner, The Club Blogs Books, Escape Reality Book Blog, Fictional Book Fantasies, The Club Blogs Books & Book Boyfriends, AB Fab Book Blog, Inbetween the Pages Book Blog, and to anyone who has read, posted, tweeted, reviewed or recommended me or any of my books. I am eternally grateful. If I left you out, I am sorry. I have been truly humbled by the wonderful people in this community.
About The Author
I spend my days playing house with my husband and kids, and my nights lost in a fictional world with the sexy alphas of my imagination.
