Fuck, she was gorgeous.
It had been a long time since a woman had drawn me in so quickly, and instead of being unnerved by my reaction, I welcomed the pleasant distraction.
“Listen,” she said, letting out a long breath. “Can I buy you a cup of coffee or something? I feel terrible that I basically punched you in the stomach.”
“No.” I laughed, shaking my head. “I’m totally fine.”
“Are you sure? I almost made you tumble over,” she said, grimacing as she glanced down at her wrist.
“You just surprised me. You didn’t hurt me, I promise.”
Her features softened as her gaze locked back on mine. The electricity between us was much more of a gut punch than when her fist sank into my side.
“I surprised me too,” she said, laughing as she shook out her hand.
‘Thereissomething you could do,” I told her, lifting a shoulder.
“Sure,” she said, her head bobbing in a nod. “What do you need? Did I scratch you? You should check. This was my grandmother’s ring, and it has sharp edges.” She traced the long onyx stone on her middle finger, a nervous gesture I shouldn’t have found so damn sensual. “I can get you a Band-Aid or something. The drugstore is only across the street?—”
I shook my head and flicked my wrist to check the time on my watch.
“How about having an early dinner with me? I was researching places to eat when I…ran into you.” I smirked and drew a laugh out of her. It was cute and musical, like a wind chime.
“Dinner? You want to have dinner with me?”
“Maybe somewhere close by,” I said, motioning behind me to the hotel. “I’m staying here for the night and was looking for something within walking distance.”
“Oh,” she said softly, her brows drawing together.
“I grew up in New York, but I feel like a clueless tourist now that I’m back, so you’d be helping me out.”
I was as surprised as she seemed to be when the offer tumbled out of my mouth. I’d planned on eating alone to clear my head and prep for tomorrow, but maybe getting my mind off it was the better approach. Staring at a beautiful woman instead of my phone screen or a book seemed like a much better alternative.
“Sure,” she whispered, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear as her eyes darted back and forth along the sidewalk. “There’s a great taco place around the corner if you like that.”
“Sounds great to me,” I said, stuffing my phone back into my pocket. “I’m Silas, by the way,” I said, extending my hand. “Usually when women punch me, they already know my name.”
We shared a laugh, her first relaxed smile stealing more of my breath.
“Rachel. Nice to meet you, Silas.”
A jolt from where my palm grazed hers ran up my arm, and once again, we both lingered a long, extra moment. I couldn’t remember when I’d had such a visceral reaction to a woman, never mind one I didn’t know.
I finally dropped her hand and motioned to the exit.
“You lead the way,” I said, my smile deepening when I spotted hers as she slid her laptop into her bag.
I’d been feeling out of sorts all afternoon, and dinner with a pretty stranger who didn’t know me beyond the here and now seemed like an oasis in a very dry desert.
She hoisted the strap of her messenger bag on her shoulder, shooting me another smile as she jerked her head toward the corner.
Her jeans hugged her ass the same glorious way her jacket clung to her torso, her knee-high boots making her legs seem even longer.
After a long day of tension over my past and future, I could live in the moment for the next few hours. I wouldn’t have to think about what tomorrow morning and the next baseball season would bring, or how to figure out a way to both lead and belong in my new life.
CHAPTER TWO
RACHEL
