“What are the odds, eh?” Her eyes danced with a joy that matched mine. “Part of me should feel worried that you stalked me.”
“I’m the one who should be worried.” My voice came out gruff and hoarse, the exact opposite of how I felt inside.
“Why’s that?” She moved her weight to one of her hips, the shift causing her head to tilt a little to the side. Her dimples came out again and I fought the urge to kiss them.
“I live here.”
Chapter Five
Callie
“I can see how you’d be concerned then,” I replied, shocked at the coincidence. I swore he could hear my heart, the beat echoing throughout my chest. “I assure you I did not stalk you.”
“I wouldn’t have minded.” He bent lower, his presence intoxicating and overwhelming. I wanted to wrap his scent around me at the same time as I wanted to run for the hills. The draw to him was too much, too strong and too everything I avoided. I refused to let him be a distraction and consume me because I knew that story already. He struggled to talk. I knew the feeling. He grinned and shrugged. “I tried to find you online.”
“How’d that work out for you?” I asked, curious and appreciative of his bluntness. It wasn’t every day a guy who hadhisface andhisbody admitted to chasing a girl.
“Not well. I regretted the second we parted not getting your number.” He smiled down at me and that made my toes curl. All the attention made me feel like the only person in the room.
“It’s best to live life without regrets. Regrets are just moments you learn from.” I cringed at my incessant need to use cheesy sayings when my emotions overwhelmed me. “Like, I’m going to learn from the fact that I use dorky quotes multiple times a day.”
He laughed, the crooked smile causing all sorts of feelings to rush through me. “Then I’m going to demand I get your number. I hate regrets, and I regret not asking earlier.”
“Hot damn. You charmed me.” I gave him my number and heard the notification of a text from him.
“I texted you. Now you have my number. Please, feel free to use it anytime, all the time. I feel like this opportunity is too good to pass up.” I held up my hand to slow him down.
“While I agree with you, I have some more tests for you to pass.” He smiled, revealing he’d enjoyed my challenge earlier.
“Bring it on.” His eyes crinkled at the sides, a gesture that came from smiling a lot. His wrinkles made me inexplicably happy.
“They might be tough, kind of difficult to get through.” I lowered my voice and leaned in closer. “Are you sure?”
“Let’s start now. Follow me.” He held out his hand and waited for me to take it. I paused, debating my inner turmoil.Is it moving too fast? Do I trust myself? Do I care?
I’d moved here to follow a dream and take chances…and he might be worth the risk. I took his hand and he rubbed his thumb over mine as he led me out of the basement.
I noticed the glares and odd looks I received, but I didn’t think anything of it. They had no idea who I was or why I was leaving the room in an oh-so suggestive way, but they weren’t my friends and I didn’t care.Iknew I wasn’t going to sleep with him. Fuck the rest of the noise. As they say,Haters gonna hate.He pulled me to a second set of stairs but stopped, causing me to run straight into his back. His incredibly hard back.
“Ouch!” I rubbed my nose and he spun around with an apology already forming on his lips. I waved him off, but he bent his face to almost touch mine. His eyes were out of this world, blue and yellow rings making an oddly hazel color. Theyglowed. I loved that about some people. Their joy shone from them. Joy easily spread to others and I hoped I projected that for people, too.
“Let me see. Are you okay?” He took my face in his large hands. He searched deep into my eyes and I held my breath. His lips were close to mine.Inches away.“Callie?”
“Physically, yeah.” My voice came out in a pathetic whisper.
“What’s wrong, then?” he asked, concern pouring out of those eyes. They were going to be a problem.
“I’m having a hard time thinking when your mouth is that close to me. You have a really nice mouth.” I felt the color drain from my face.Notsmooth.Not smooth at all.
He licked his bottom lip and bit down on it, not hiding the fact that he found me funny. “You have a nice mouth, too.”
“It sounds worse when you say it back.” I closed my eyes and shook my head as though it had the power to rewind the past minute. “I’m learning I shouldn’t talk when my head is all fuzzy.”
He laughed and ran his thumb over my bottom lip before standing again. “I like your ‘no regrets’ mantra.”
“What can I say? I’m pretty wise.” My normal wit came back after he stood up. I’dneverreacted to anyone like I did to him. It unnerved and exhilarated me.
He opened a door to a room and paused before meeting my eyes. “I know it looks like I’m inviting you into my room, but trust me, we aren’t going there.”
