guitar case in the
storage compartment. Not the fascinating body parts hidden within the confines
of his dark jeans.
She took a
steadying breath and met his gaze, determined to stay focused on the issue at
hand instead of his panty-melting sex appeal. “Actually, I do mind. It’s not
considered polite to manhandle other people’s possessions.” Her tone was
snottier than she’d intended but instead of getting offended he seemed charmed
by her antagonistic attitude. He half-turned towards her and his grin seemed to
widen, revealing teeth so white and strong-looking she wondered if he’d
appeared in any toothpaste commercials.
“Here, let me
get that,” she said impatiently. Standing up, she attempted to snake her arm
around his broad back to grab her bag off his seat. Instead of moving out of
her way like any normal person, he chose that moment to pivot his body until he
faced her, making it so much more awkward to reach around him. She was forced to
retreat if she didn’t want to end up with her face pressed against his
magnificent torso. But her pride wouldn`t allow her to back off entirely so
they both ended up in the middle of the aisle, nearly touching.
Standing in close
proximity to his hard body was a revelation. He was very tall. She had to look
up to see his amused expression. This close she could also see the golden hairs
of his afternoon beard scattered along his square chin. There was a small scar
just below one ear which should have added to his disreputable appearance but
that flaw only seemed to emphasize his masculine beauty. She could even smell
him. Something outdoorsy and clean emanated from his pores, making her want to
press her nose into his neck, take a big whiff, and hold it in her lungs to
savour.
Remembering that
she was annoyed with the man she retreated from his personal space. She shifted
as far to the side as the seat would allow and made another grab for her
luggage. This time her wrist brushed against his slim hip and she felt the hairs
on her arms stand up in reaction. Clearly there was some electricity here. Just
the simplest contact and she felt everything in her body come alive. She
couldn`t remember ever feeling so aware of another person before. She felt hot
and nervous and even a little giddy.
Flustered at her
body’s inappropriate reaction, she crossed her arms and gave him a disapproving
frown. He still didn’t budge. Instead he effortlessly picked up her bulky bag
from the seat behind him with one muscular arm and placed it gently in the
overhead compartment. He took an inordinate amount of time nestling it in close
to his guitar case and then closed the compartment lid with exaggerated care,
looking at her the entire time.
“There now. Your
possessions are safe and sound. No need to get huffy,” he said with a chuckle.
“Huffy?” She
narrowed her eyes at him. “I was not getting huffy.”
“You sound
huffy. And you definitely look huffy. Like a disgruntled kitten. But cuter.”
“A kitten. I
seem like a kitten to you?” She growled. She’d worked so hard to become a
confident, in-control woman and now this brute was reducing her to the least
imposing creature in the entire animal kingdom. She wasn’t even a tigress in
his eyes. She was a fluffy, little kitten. Only slightly more intimidating than
a stuffed teddy bear. How could a stranger make her so angry and turned on at
the same time? Was this what Miss Bright had been talking about when she
suggested a slightly less traditional fantasy might be the way to go? He
certainly got her engine purring but there’s no way he’d be interested in her.
He was way too much for her anyway. She was looking for something tame and
tender, not wild and brutal. At least she was pretty sure that’s what she
wanted.
“See that?” He
looked down at her crossed arms and impatiently tapping foot. A nervous gesture
she couldn’t get rid of no matter how many counselling sessions she attended. “That’s
huffy.”
She
Anthony Shugaar, Diego De Silva