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“Yeah,” I parrot back to him.

“Because it looked like you were trying to hide from me.”

I back away and scoff, “You’re mistaken.”

“So, you didn’t hide behind the couch as soon as you saw me?”

Fuck. He isn’t showing any mercy. I cock my hip and shrug. “Just looking at and smelling the pretty flowers here.”

“And you had to get down on your knees for that?” He raises one eyebrow, knowing I’m full of shit.

“Uh-huh. Yep!” Great. I’ve lost my ability to speak past unintelligible sounds.

I’m also confused as to why he’s being so flirty after our disastrous first date. After he said we weren’t compatible and rejected me.

Well, Tina.

Not that he knows he rejected the wrong girl. Nevertheless, he had walked out looking pretty mad.

See? This is what I was trying to avoid. The complication and the confusion. Not a minute in his vicinity and I’m already a hot mess.

Time to scram.

I take a step back and grab the handle of my suitcase resting beside the couch. “Well, it was—”

My words turn into a squeal as my suitcase decides to add to my misery by skidding across the smooth floor, taking me with it. Julian’s arm snakes out in time to stop my fall and pull me flush against his strong chest.

Kill me now.

I grab onto his thick biceps, my fingers barely closing around them.

Jeez. What does he lift? A mountain?

“Easy there, darling,” he murmurs, his minty breath ghosting over my forehead.

I lift my head. “I swear I’m not normally so clumsy. Or a weirdo, Julia—”

“Kingston,” he cuts me off.

I frown and gape at him in utter bewilderment.

He explains, chucking at my expression, “I go by my middle name.”

Oh yes. He had a middle name that I never paid much attention to. Honestly, I hardly read his profile minus a few basic details. But even those, I’ve forgotten. Only his effect on my needy body stayed imprinted in my mind. And I remember every second of our date just like someone remembers the movie they’ve watched a thousand times.

Our chemistry is still as strong and undeniable as ever. It’s like no time has passed and we’re meeting for yet another date.

Dammit. It’s going to be a long week if he’s also staying here. Our chances of running into each other multiply. With it, the probability of him uncovering my real identity. Feeling my thoughts spiraling, I focus on the now.

“Kingston,” I softly say his name and realize it suits him so perfectly.

Sensual yet rugged.

I could’ve known this on our first date if I hadn’t been so adamant on maintaining distance.

The dominant edge I’m enamored by flashes in his eyes, causing a low throb in my pussy to stir to life. Especially because of the way I’m hanging onto him. He doesn’t seem in a hurry to let go of me either.

The trance breaks when my name is shouted from the background.