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With it, sucking the rest of my oxygen. My grip tightens around the glass involuntarily. A sudden need to press the cold glass against my skin rises, to ward off the heat spreading all over my body like lava. Ever so slowly, as though he purposely wants me to feel the caress of his stare, his aloof and unreadable gaze roams down the length of my shamelessly hot and bothered body.

They hover a second too long on my lips, which part in response as I fight the urge to bite them nervously. Only after he has checked me out, as I do him once more—because it’d be a crime if I didn’t—does he move.

His effect on me is unnerving.

Terribly and dangerously so.

And it’s just from one single intense look across a crowded restaurant.

He saunters toward the bar. Toward me. His gait is purposeful while people part for him without him uttering a word. I mentally chastise and remind myself that he is off limits. Forbidden, because he belongs to my best friend.

Even though it’s temporary and they’ll never meet.

Nonetheless, the closer he gets, the harder I want to squirm, press my thighs together, and quell the ache building in my core. Small details take shape as he closes the gap between us. Like his hair, which shifts color between dark brown and black, depending on the lighting. Longer on the top and shorter on the sides.

The piercing in his left ear glints and, fuck, even that is sexy on him, not taking away from his masculinity. It is those light brown eyes, though, that ignite the low ache into a full-blown need. My nipples bead into hard points behind my padded bra. Thank God for that small mercy.

No man has ever elicited such a visceral reaction from me.

Just my luck he had to be the one man I couldn’t have. Even temporarily. Unless I want to blow my cover. Besides, he must have more in common with Tina since they were paired together by the matchmaker. I need to remember he came on this date with the sole intent of finding a girl to marry. If all goes well.

Alas! It won’t.

So hot or not, I’m not in the market for settling down with any man anytime soon. Even if by some miracle I could tell him the truth and be the real me. However, all my thoughts evaporate into mist, my mouth incapable of forming speech, when he takes the last step that puts him right in front of me,towering over my seated frame. I crane my neck to peer into his magnificent eyes.

Holy mother of God.

Fuck me sideways.

Tall, dark, and handsome—my ass.

The man is extremely tall, well over six feet, which is a rarity. Rugged and sinful with a hint of darkness. Ravishing features that make handsome sound too tame a word. Straight eyebrows slashed over his eyes, surrounded by laugh lines, straight nose, and lips that have a pout, as if made for kissing.

He’s attractive with his clothes on; I can only imagine what lies beneath.

Seriously! Am I supposed to reject him?Him? Hell, he probably would reject me.

Because no sane woman would turn him down. He could have his pick of the women in this expensive restaurant. Younger, older, married, models. Anyone. Especially combined with the fact that he is searching for “the one” and desires a white picket fence. A breed very rare to find these days.

“Hi.”

One simple word and a swarm of butterflies take flight in my stomach.

I curse my luck to hell.

I’m so, so,soscrewed.

CHAPTER – 3

Twinkle

I snap myself out of the daze he trapped me in with his deep and sultry voice. It had a hint of an accent I can’t quite pinpoint. Struggling to get my bearings, I realize I haven’t spoken in over a minute.

“Hi,” I murmur back, the single syllable floating in the tiny space between us. My voice is a breathless whisper you hear only in porn.

Intense by a hundred degrees, yet mischief dances in his golden eyes. His mouth curves at the corner in a smirk, not missing the note of desire I was desperately trying to hide. I crane my neck back as he takes a step closer, his body heat engulfing me like a hug in the winter.

Focus, Twinkle. Focus.