She turned towards the sound of his deep voice, eyes drawn to the way he moved through the lobby, every confident step exuding power and control.
When he slotted a hand into his trouser pocket, the muscles of his chest and shoulders stretched the fabric of a green shirt.
His tanned skin seemed to glow under the soft lobby lighting, giving him a dark, dangerous edge.
Heads turned as he passed, drawn to the magnetic pull of his authority.
Ashamed of how she stared, Shannon lowered her gaze and licked her lips without thinking, her body reacting to him like it had a mind of its own.
Jamie killed the distance between them, his woodsy cologne hitting her in tingly waves. A cedarwood scent burned with desire, urging her to reach out and touch something that she’d never get to hold on to for long.
She stood to meet him, her sudden shyness catching her off guard.
“I’m sorry,” she said, her words rushed. “I should’ve checked if the offer was still open before showing up unannounced.”
Coming to Belfast had been one of those ‘you only live once’ moments, and before she could talk herself out of it, she’d jumped on a bus.
He stared at her for a heartbeat, his gaze intense, unreadable.
“I invited you, Shannon,” he said, his voice a sultry growl that made her pulse race. “For you, the offer is always open.”
A hum of excitement vibrated through her muscles as he reached for her with a hand large enough to make her heart stutter.
“Let me take your Eskimo outfit.” His mouth curved into a teasing smile.
Her cheeks, already flushed from the cold air outside, darkened in a mix of embarrassment and arousal. She managed a soft, nervous laugh, quick and high-pitched.
“Ever waited twenty minutes for a bus? It’s freezing outside. The wind would cut you in two.”
His cheek dimpled as a lopsided smile tugged at his lips, raising the temperature in the room.
“I would’ve sent a car for you, love.”
“The bus is fine. I prefer it,” she replied, shaking her head.
He blinked, surprised. “The bus? Really?”
She peeled off the puffy coat, her eyes drifting to the shiny tiles underfoot.
“I like to pay my way and sort out my own lifts.” She draped her coat over the back of her chair. “Thanks anyway.”
What she didn’t say was that it was easier to leave when it suited her, without relying on anyone else.
Her skinny jeans were as dark as the night sky, and she wore a loose denim shirt with a few buttons undone, showing off her silver horseshoe necklace.
She drew in her lower lip, gathering a rush of bravery. Being here was a risk, because she’d placed blind faith in her attraction to Jamie.
She’d thought about him all day and his faint promise of his sexual desire. The guy had turned her concentration upside down. Even Harry had noticed how dreamy and distracted she’d been.
It had taken everything she had to push Jamie out of her mind to focus on the show jumping competition. The frustrating part was breaking her ‘no men’ rule for him.
“Wait here.” Jamie grabbed her coat and strolled up to the reception desk, placing it on the counter.
The sight of him was a visual gift. His charm was effortless and his grin lethal. She tried to hold backher giddy smile, hoping to mask the silly crush spreading faster than wildfire on a windy day.
“What can I get you to drink?” he asked, strolling back to join her at the comfy seats.
“Aren’t we going to the party?” Her brows pulled together. “Is it still on?”
