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“I’m observant like that.”
Laughter bubbles out of me at his serious expression.
“So what do you do for a living?” Lucian asks.
“I’m a veterinarian. I used to have a practice in the city.”
“And now?”
“Now. I need to start over. Find a premises and build a new client base.”
He chuckles. “My brother is going to be stoked about this. He always has to take Zeus to the city if anything happens.”
“Zeus?”
“My brother Alistair has a rescue pitbull he loves like a child, and his fiancée has been slowly but surely adding to their ever-growing brood. She can’t leave a stray alone to save her life.”
More laughter shakes my frame as I listen to this man describe his family and their antics.
“I’m an only child,” I say sadly. “I wish I had that kind of closeness to anyone.”
“I have four brothers. You can have one if you want but I have a no refunds, no returns policy.”
“Oh my god,” I say, slapping his shoulder as I move around him to drop the plates in the dishwasher. “You can’t just give your siblings away.”
“I know.” He sighs. “It hasn’t ever worked, no matter how hard I’ve tried.”
Bending over to load the dishwasher I hear a muttered curse behind me. Glancing at Lucian, I find his gaze fixed firmly on my ass while he adjusts his hard-on. Well, shit. I didn’t even know I could still have this effect on a man.
I finish my task with a smile, feeling good about myself for the first time in over a year. Lust flows through my veins. Lucian is everything I avoided in men my entire life. Now, I can’t think of a single damn reason not to climb the man like a tree.
Chapter Four
At the end of my frayed self-control
Lucian
Today has been fun but now I need to leave. I’ve had four beers and my self-control is slipping. Since I first laid eyes on Cassandra in those frayed cut-off shorts, I have been sporting a semi and it’s only gotten worse with time.
I can see that she isn’t overly self-confident and I assume that has something to do with her divorce. Her husband cheated. I know because she got so defensive when I asked. I stare at her, taking in her natural beauty and I can’t imagine that any man lucky enough to catch her attention would ever be that stupid. I know I wouldn’t be.
I also know if I stay here any longer I am going to do something one or both of us will regret in the morning. I find myself wanting to know her better so I don’t want to screw this up.
“Thanks for the beer and pizza, Cassandra,” I say, standing from my spot by the counter. “Let me know if you need any more help. I’ll be around.”
She smiles softly but it doesn’t reach her eyes before she follows me to the door. Even when she is laughing there is a tinge of sadness that hangs around her and I hope I get the chance to kick her ex-husband’s ass. His actions have left her feeling vulnerable and unwanted.
“I’m sure you have better things to do than to assemble my furniture, Lucian.”
I shake my head. Fuck, I like how this little bird says my name. Actually, there are quite a few things I like about her. We stare at one another for long, tense moments and I almost lean in to kiss her. Almost.
But now isn’t the right time.
“I’m here if you need me. For anything,” I say with one last smile.
Turning away from her, I head to my own apartment. The silence envelopes me and I instantly miss her laughter. I rip my shirt over my head, standing in my living room, filled with frustration and longing. All this for a woman I barely know.
What the fuck is going on with me? Am I really that lonely? It’s not that she isn’t a great woman but I’ve never been this enraptured by a female in my entire life.
