His dark amber eyes caught hers, gleaming with a confidence that was almost predatory while his mouth curved into an effortless, dimpled grin.
“Hey,” he said, his voice deep, almost disarming her. "We're starting over. I’m Jamie.”
Shannon took a step closer, her feet betraying her need to keep her distance. Her eyes dropped to his outstretched hand.
There was something about him, something unsettling yet deeply magnetic. It made her veins buzz and her heart race.
“Now that your shift’s over, how about we grab something to eat?” he asked.
With a deep breath, she let her palm meet his, letting his firm grip wrap around her hand.
The instant their skin met, a jolt of electricity shot up her arm, searing through her veins and spreading warmth throughout her body.
Holy shit.
The mix of his intoxicating woodsy scent and the intimate contact sent her mind spiralling, filling it with dark, indecent images, as if his very soul bled into hers.
Her heart pounded like Trixie’s hooves at a full gallop, the beat thumping against her ribcage.
Walk away. Say no.
She lifted her gaze, her front teeth catching the corner of her mouth as she fought to steady her breath. The grip on her crisp packet tightened and her pulse went wild.
“Shannon Colter.” She smiled. “Have you been lingering outside Coffee Kicks long, Jamie?”
The warmth of his hand slipped away, and the absence of contact sent a shiver prickling at her scalp.
He slid his hands into his trouser pockets, his posture loosening as he chuckled in a deep, sexy rumble.
“Just got here, love. You ready to grab some food together? My treat. I promise it’ll be more substantial than a few crisps.”
His gaze dropped to the packet in her hand.
“There are a million ways I’d like to thank you. However, a meal seems like a good place to start.”
She eyed the crisps, then him. “Well, thesearetechnically a meal, if you’re not picky about nutritional value. But I am starving.”
“So that’s a yes?” he asked.
“Just food.” She nodded, her chest fluttering with erratic palpitations.
He pulled his hand from his pocket and slipped it around her waist, tugging her closer. “I knew you’d agree sooner or later.”
“Are you serious?” She shot him a disbelieving look. “You can’t help yourself, can you?”
He chuckled, his smirk never fading. “I think you like it. Or you wouldn’t be standing this close to me, would you?”
She couldn’t help rolling her eyes. It wouldn’t be the worst thing to have lunch with him. But damn, the cockiness radiating off him was enough to make her grit her teeth.
He was trouble in a designer suit, bad news tucked beneath tailored fabric.
“Let’s get you fed, Shannon. I know a decent spot.”
Jamie guided her across the road and toward the revolving door of The Fitz Hotel, his hand pressed to the curve of her spine.
The lavish lobby loomed ahead, and for a second, she wondered just how deep this rabbit hole would go.
“Do you work at Coffee Kicks every day?” he asked, his raspy voice making her veins run hotter.
