“It’s not my job to track down your one-night stand, sir.”
He rests both of his palms on the counter and leans closer to me. “I’m going to take this above your head.”
“You’re more than welcome to do that.” I smile sweetly. “I should warn you that our entire management team is committed to our customers and the security of their personal information.”
“Your customer stole a signed Trey Hale jersey from me last night.” He scoops the panties back into his hand and shoves them into the front pocket of his pants. “In case you don’t know who that is, Trey Hale is a professional baseball player. He’s the best pitcher in the league. He won the World Series last year.”
I know exactly who Trey Hale is, but I don’t tell this arrogant jerk that.
“Your superiors will be hearing about this, Ms. Hull,” he calls over his shoulder as he starts toward the exit. “That jersey was meant to be a gift for my nephew’s tenth birthday and your refusal to cooperate with me is the reason he’ll be disappointed.”
I sigh. Why the hell did the beautiful bastard have to tell me that?
“How is it our fault that his random one-night stand lifted that jersey?” Lisa asks as she sprays disinfectant on the top of the counter. “He shouldn’t take strangers home with him.”
She might be right, but I’ve been guilty of doing the same thing.
“Did he mention his name to you at all?” I question her as I watch her swirl the disinfectant in a circle with a paper towel, her red hair bouncing around her shoulders. “Did he tell it to you before I came over?”
She looks at me. “Nope. I would have remembered if he did.”
I could forget he ever walked in here, and I would if weren’t for the mention of his nephew. I can replace that jersey within the hour. All I need to do is give my cousin, Trey, a call and I’d have a signed jersey, baseball and two tickets to a game in my hand in the time it would take me to get to his apartment.
“I should have asked for his name,” I say, picking up a stack of gift cards to place on a display near the entrance.
“That slice of heaven was Alexander Donato.” A woman approaches the checkout counter with several pieces of lingerie in her hands. “I know exactly where you can find him, or at least a picture of him. His handsome face is on a billboard in the middle of Times Square.”
Coming Soon
Preview of THIRST
A Standalone Novel
Do you see what I see? I see my half-naked neighbor staring at me whenever he gets a chance.
When I moved into this rundown apartment, I knew I'd get used to the six flights of stairs, the broken radiator, and the squeaky floors. I didn't know I'd grow accustomed to the lustful stares of the gorgeous man who lives in the building next to mine.
He watches me when dusk falls with an intense hunger in his eyes I've never seen before.
I sense his gaze trailing over every inch of my skin as I strip slowly, just for him.
It’s innocent until I finally get the chance to pitch my business idea to a trio of private investors. That’s when I realize that the man who stands at his window every night with his gaze cast on me is one of the three people who hold the future of my start-up in their hands.
Rocco Jones has seen my body, and now he wants to touch it. I want my business to succeed, and I want him, but is it possible for me to have both?
*Author's Note: Although a few characters from my past books make appearances in THIRST, it's not necessary to read any of my other books to enjoy this sexy standalone.
Chapter 1
Dexie
“I don’t understand why you haven’t invested in window coverings for this place.”
I turn to see my friend, Sophia Wolf, standing at one of the many windows of new apartment.
“I like the light,” I answer quickly. “Besides, the landlord said that he’d eventually get around to adding blinds. The man is busy and I don’t want to keep bothering him about it.”
“You pay rent which means it’s his job to keep you happy.”
Spoken from the lips of a woman who lives in a beautiful apartment with her novelist husband and daughter.
“Don’t worry about it, Sophia.” I place another cardboard box on the kitchen counter. “I really like this place. I have a lot more room to work on my purses and the rent is cheaper than the last place.”
“I can’t argue with that.” She takes in the large open space. “Are you thinking of setting up your workstation over there?”
I haven’t given it any serious thought yet because my time is limited. I work full-time in the marketing department for a cosmetics company and part-time helping Sophia with her clothing line.
My purse design business has yet to take off but I’m working on changing that. I’ve put out some feelers to try and find a private investor for my company.
Supplies aren’t cheap and even though I have a steady stream of customers willing to pay for my one-of-a-kind handmade purses, it’s not enough cash inflow to take my business to the next level.
“I’m going to get all my stuff in and then I’ll figure that out.”
She taps her heel on the hardwood floor. “That makes sense.”
I point at a lamp on a table near where she’s standing. “Can you turn on the light? It’s getting dark.”
She hits the switch on the lamp and it instantly fills the room with a soft glow of light. “I have one more concern and then I swear I’ll shut up.”
I don’t look at her as I unpack a box with dishes. “What?”
“Your bed is right in front of that window. Aren’t you worried that your neighbors will watch you while you sleep?”
I picked this apartment because it’s a bachelor. My bed is feet away from my kitchen and the main living space. The only area that is separated by a door is the bathroom.
I’m not shy. I’ve slept here for the past four nights and I haven’t bothered to look out any of the windows to see if the people in the building next to mine are looking in.
“This is Manhattan.” I stop what I’m doing and look at the wall of windows. “People are too busy to stare in here.”
“What if you bring a guy home?”
“A guy?” I pause as I push my pink hair back behind my ears. “You’re worried that my neighbors are going to watch me fuck? Is that what you’re asking.”
She laughs. “It’s a possibility, no?”
“Not right now.” I give an exaggerated shrug. “I don’t have time to meet men. You can rest easy tonight knowing that my neighbors won’t be getting a free show.”
Her dark brown hair sways as she moves across the room to pick up her purse from the edge of my bed. It’s one of my latest designs. Sophia is my walking and talking billboard and so far, I’ve had a few customers seek me out because of her.
“I have to get home.” She shoulders the bag. “I need to make dinner. Do you want to come by for a bite?”
I look around the apartment. I have too much to do tonight. There’s no way I can spare the time it would take to get to her place, eat, visit and then trudge back here. “I’ll pass this time.”
“I’ll talk to you later in the week.” She moves to give me a warm hug. “Call me if you spot any peeping Toms.”
“Will do.” My reply is swift. “I’m not sure what you’ll do about it, but I’ll shoot you a text if I catch one.”
***
I arch my back in a stretch as I finally put away the last of my dishes. I don’t have many, but they’re enough to keep me eating at home.
I ate a bowl of cereal for dinner, taking a spoonful in between my work.
I’ve accomplished more tonight than I thought I would. I glance at my phone on the counter and realize that it’s nearing midnight.
Since I need to be at work by nine a.m., sleep has to be next on my schedule.
I cross the space toward the bed. It’s not the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in, but it’s large and right now it�
�s calling my name.
Just as I’m about to pull my pink T-shirt over my head and unbutton my jeans, I turn to the windows.
The building next door is close. It’s an apartment building as well with dozens of windows.
Many of the windows are shuttered with curtains and blinds; the hint of light playing around the edges. A few are backlit enough that I can make out what’s happening in the homes of my neighbors.
Television sets flicker, a woman dances past a window, and then my gaze settles on the apartment directly across from mine.
I know that the low light coming from the lamp in the corner makes me visible to the person standing with their back to me.
There’s a light in their apartment too. It’s not too bright, more of a gentle glow that casts just enough warmth that I can make out the shape of a man. He’s tall with broad shoulders.
When he turns, I lean closer to the window to get a better look.
He does the same and when his gaze locks with mine, I feel a shiver run through me.
I can’t make out all of his features, but it’s obvious that he’s gorgeous. He has dark hair and a chiseled jaw and when he slides his suit jacket off, I long for him to open each of the buttons on his white dress shirt.
He does. He unbuttons them one-by-one and as he reaches the last, he stops and leans both hands on the glass.
I hold my breath wanting more, but then he turns abruptly, walks away from the window and leaves me wondering when I’ll see him again.
Coming Soon
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Deborah Bladon has never read a romance hero she didn't like. Her love for romance novels began when she was old enough to board the bus, library card in hand to check out the newest Harlequin paperbacks. She's a Canadian by heart, and by passport, but you can often spot her in New York City sipping a latte and looking for inspiration for her next story. Manhattan is definitely her second home.
She cherishes her family and believes that each day is a gift for writing, for reading, and for loving.
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