Page 63 of Trick or Stalk

The closer he gets, the more intimidating he becomes. And, unfortunately, even hotter.

Because apparently the universe has decided I haven't suffered enough.

“Looking for something specific?”

His eyes stay on mine. “You could say that.”

His tone is rough. Deep. Suggestive.

My breath hitches.

“Oh. Um.” I force a smile while my brain freaks out.

Get it together and stop drooling over him.

You’re twenty-six, not sixteen.

I take a deep breath and look away, trying to regain my composure.

“Just browsing?”

His eyes trail over me. “Something like that.”

Penny chooses that moment to wake up.

Her head lifts, then she crawls out from behind the counter.

The man's attention immediately drops.

He freezes.

Penny looks up at him.

For one horrible second, I remember her growling at the window.

My stomach tightens.

Then her tail wags.

She trots directly toward him.

“Oh.”

He looks at her.

Penny stops near his boots, then sits up like a prairie dog, staring up at him.

What the hell? She usually takes several minutes to warm up to strangers.

“Well, apparently you've been chosen.”

His gaze remains on her.

“Does she do this often?”

“No.” My tone lowers. “Never.”

His eyes lift to mine. “Interesting.”