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A blush warmed her face. Was he serious? “Even smoother,” she replied, striving to gather her wits and not sink further into his Caribbean-blue stare. But it was impossible. There was something in those electric blue depths that felt strangely familiar and so very welcoming. Almost as if she’d met him before. Had known him forever. Maybe in another life. “I think you might be trouble,” she whispered.
Trouble for her lonely heart. Because she could see herself falling for the suave sweet-talker. And as much as she’d like to get to know the handsome pilot better, she couldn’t help but be scared he’d jet the second he got what he wanted.
Lex wanted to find the asshole who’d hurt Summer. She clearly didn’t realize how amazing she was, and he’d be willing to bet some douchebag had broken her heart.
“I promise, I’m not trouble when it comes to you, Summer.” No, he was only trouble when it came to the bad guys. “My intention is to get to know you better, not hurt you.”
She studied him for a long moment, and he wondered what she saw. “You seem too good to be true,” she finally said and began shredding her cocktail napkin. “And you know what they say about that.”
Lex burst out laughing, and she gave him a bewildered look. “I’m sorry, but see those guys back there?” He pointed out his friends at the corner table, and when they both looked over at the Motley Crew, the entire group was watching them. Sharks in the fucking water. Lex lifted his hand and waved. Jayson waved back and Chaz gave him two big thumbs up, the fucker. “If you tell them that, they’ll be very quick to happily dish the dirt on me, pointing out every single flaw I have. Rest assured, I am in no way perfect and definitely not too good to be true.”
“They seem to be very interested in what’s going on with us,” she said, turning her attention back to him.
“That’s because they feed off fear,” he joked.
Her brow creased. “You don’t strike me as a man who fears very much.”
“Normally, I don’t.” He shrugged. “But please don’t laugh when I tell you I was absolutely terrified to come over here and talk to you.”
The edge of her mouth lifted. “That’s very sweet.”
“It’s the truth. I’ve never been nervous around a woman before, but…”
But I just don’t want to screw this up.
“But?” she pressed.
“But if I don’t put it all out there, I’m going to regret it.”
Better to try something than die with regrets. Never wonder what could’ve been. That’s what his dad always used to say.
Lex pulled in a deep breath. “Summer Holt, I find you absolutely beautiful and extremely fascinating. If you’re not married or seeing anyone…” She shook her head, a small smile playing at her lips. Thank God there’s not a significant other. “Then, I’d love to take you out. What do you say? And, fair warning, if you turn me down, I may never recover.”
She pressed her lips together, as though she were thinking. Hopefully considering his offer with more interest than skepticism. “It really doesn’t bother you? That I’m older than you?”
“Not at all. Does it bother you that I’m slightly younger?”
“Honestly, I don’t know,” she answered carefully.
He leaned in, sliding the shredded cocktail napkin away from her. “See, this is where you’re supposed to say not at all and how you’ve always wanted to meet a man exactly six years younger, specifically one who is fairly charming…decently good-looking…likes long walks on the beach…loves dogs…and to hell with what society thinks.” He reached out and lightly traced a finger over the back of her hand, trailing down to her wrist, and gently turning her hand over. She watched as he continued his light exploration, looking slightly mesmerized as his fingers traced the lines on her palm then settled on her wrist. Her pulse raced, and he felt his own speed up to match. “Or you could break this old pilot’s heart.”
“You love dogs?”
He couldn’t help but grin. “Out of everything I said, that’s the part you heard?”
“Oh, I heard it all. But that’s the part that resonated hard.”
“What kind of dog do you have?” he asked, not missing the way her face lit up.
Instead of answering right away, she grabbed her phone and pulled up a picture. “A Pomeranian mix. Her name is Flossie and I rescued her from the shelter.”
“Aww, she’s a cutie. What a fluffball!”
Summer swiped to the next photo and then to the next and then to another, showing off pictures of her and the dog everywhere. Playing ball at the park…
“Because she fetches! Did you know most little dogs won’t play fetch? But Flossie loves it.”
Wearing a Halloween costume…
