And I would know my life is about to change.
“How can I help ya?” I ask, looking up for the first time. My steps falter beneath me, just like my heart does in my chest.
Right at the counter of his bakery stands an angel.
A real life, living and breathing angel. Long dark hair cascades over her shoulders like a dark chocolate waterfall. Her hair is thick and shiny and makes my hands itch to touch and stroke. I want to play with it until she falls asleep in my arms.
If that’s not enough, her eyes… Jesus, her eyes render me fucking mute. Beautiful mint-green eyes framed by long dark lashes lock with my dark ones, and for a moment, all we can do is stare at one another. Her skin is a golden tan that makes me want to bask out in the sunshine with her.
We’re both caught by surprise.
“Hi!” She smiles, breaking the weirdly comfortable silence between us.
“Hey,” I coax out of me as I look down at her. Goddamn. The closer I get to the counter, the more I realize my sweet angel is the sweetest of all fairies.
Tiny, probably not even five feet, with the perfect curves. Curves I want to memorize with my hands. I want to take hours, fuck that, days, shit, years learning. That body is all wrapped up in cute, faded jeans that have tears on the knees and thighs, and a tee shirt that says something about reading a last chapter.
“Are you okay?” she asks. I clear my throat realizing I have been staring at her like some kind of creep.
“Yeah.” I run my hand over my head and wince, realizing I’m still wearing a fucking hair net.Great first impression, moron.I rip it off and stuff it into the back pocket of my faded jeans. “Sorry about that.” I look down at my feet and back at her, and fuck if it’s not like seeing her for the first time again. Warmth spreads through my chest and to every end of my body. “Uh, how can I help you?” I ask, trying to keep my wits about me. No woman has ever had this effect on me.Ever.She looks at me fora moment as her smile grows, and I feel it in my fucking soul. A voice in the back of my head growlsmine,and I swallow hard.
What the hell is wrong with me?
“I was hoping I could get some directions.”
“Directions?”Shit.Is my angel a tourist? Of course, she is. She has to be. I have lived in Moonlit Pines almost my entire life. I would know her if she was a local.
“Yeah, I’m so sorry. I think I got a little turned around. I’m looking for—" she says the address, and I still before repeating it back to her. “Yeah! That’s the place. Are you familiar with it?”Am I familiar with it? That’s my brother’s place. My very engaged, about-to-be-a-father older brother.
What is she doing looking for his place?
“That’s my brother’s place,” I share. Her eyes widen, and then her smile broadens, making her eyes glitter up at me.
“Reed is your brother?” she asks and looks like she’s about to bounce with joy. Her enthusiasm is almost contagious. The only thing holding me back from joining is the jealousy I feel she’s in town looking for him and not me.
“Yeah, question is, how do you know him?”
“Oh!” Her eyes widen, and she shakes her hand before extending her hand. “I’m Stella. Stella Torres, Camila’s best friend.”
Shit. She’s Cami’s friend. The one from back home Cam misses like crazy. The only family Cami has. Normally, this is a huge red flag saying she’s off limits, but I’ve never felt this way about a woman.
“Hey.” I wipe my suddenly sweaty palm on my jeans before taking her hand in mine.
The moment our hands touch and we’re skin to skin, it feels like a current of electricity pulls me in closer to her. Her hand is tan, darker than mine, and damn if I don’t instantly love the contrast. Everything about us seems to be the opposite. Herhand looks so tiny and delicate engulfed by mine, and my mind is bombarded by other images. How my body would cover and devour hers.
“I’m Eli.” I clear my throat.
“Eli?” she repeats without blinking, and I nod. But before I can ask her anything, she pulls her hand out of mine and I have no choice but to let her go. “So, since you know where I am going, any chance you can tell me how to get there?”
“I got you one better.” An idea is forming in my head, hoping to get more time with her. I know Camila’s missed her friend, but I’m going to steal as much time with her as possible. “How about I take you?” I offer.
“Take me?”In more ways than one, and every way you will let me.
“Yeah, it’s still snowy out there.” I pointed, never happier we had some snow a week ago.
“Oh! Right, umm, okay, but how will I get my car?”
“I’ll drive you back,” I offer quickly, loving my idea more and more. Each and every minute I can spend with her feels like a win.
