Page 72 of A Million Times, Yes

Extra-thick scruff lined his cheeks.

A black shirt, the first two buttons undone, showed the muscle around his collarbone and the light dusting of ash-brown hair that covered it.

I’d never seen anyone more handsome in my life.

Each second of silence that passed made my breathing speed up, my skin turn hot, my body feel as though he were tracing the tips of his fingers over every inch of me.

“Maya . . .”

That one word was like a rock skipping across a lake’s surface, creating ripples every time it landed, but the circles surrounded my chest, and each time the rock touched down, it made my heart beat faster.

I didn’t know what to do with my hands—or my body, or the jittery sensation that now consumed me—so I brought the beer up to my lips and took a sip. I swallowed, finally finding my words. “What are you doing here?”

“I thought you might be hungry.”

“Hungry?”

He reached toward the floor and lifted a bag. It took a moment before I realized it was big enough to hold more than one meal and probably several sides.

“You brought me dinner?”

A smile crossed his beautiful lips. “And dessert. But there’s a catch.”

“Which is?”

“You have to eat it with me.”

I leaned against the wall to the right of the door. “You’re asking a lot of me.”

“It’s just a meal, Maya. I’m not asking you to move in with me ... or for you to marry me.”

I wasn’t quick enough to catch the first flip, but I pushed against my stomach as it did another turn.

Move in. Marry.Questions I was sure Jordan had never asked another woman, considering he didn’t even date.

Was that what caused them to stir in my throat? Or was it his tone? Or the way he was looking at me as though he was using every bit of restraint not to throw me over his shoulder and take me to the closest bedroom?

“I figured it might take a little convincing, so I brought this.” He leaned down again and returned with a six-pack of Sam Adams.

“Your plan is to get me drunk?”

“My plan is to spend time with you. I know how much you love this brand. You don’t have to drink it now. You can wait until after I leave.”

I crossed one arm over my chest, positioning the other so the beer wasn’t far from my face. “What made you think I would let you in?”

“I’m perfectly happy eating out here.” He glanced down the short hallway. “Assuming your neighbors won’t call the cops on me.”

“And if I’m not hungry?”

“You can watch me eat.”

I rubbed the mouth of the bottle over my lips. “How did you know I’d be home?”

“I was just at the rehab center, visiting Grandma, and since you weren’t there, I assumed you were here.”

I sighed. “You have an answer for everything.”

“I have an objection to whatever you throw at me. I don’t have an answer foreverything.”