AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“But you didn’t?” There’s a hint of something sad and jagged in his voice.
“Reality had other plans for me.” And just like that, my peek behind the mask is gone. What is left behind is smouldering, burning heat. Like embers glowing in the bottom of a fireplace, waiting for the right stoking motion to bring out the full force of their power. “But I still appreciate beautiful things.”
“Like paintings?”
“And women.”
He’s smooth.Toosmooth. I don’t fall for guys like that...ever. I like nerdy guys who’ll be happy to talk for hours about whether they prefer a resource optimisation or action maximisation game strategy. I like guys who are introverted and thoughtful and stumble over their words in the most adorable way. Safe guys. Betas, rather than alphas.
But this guy is the opposite of all that. His power radiates like a magnetic field. The way he didn’t even hesitate to step in at my booth—embracing conflict and confrontation like an old friend—tells me he’s not like the guys I’m used to.
You don’t even know his name.
“Your brain is spinning.” His lips pull into a soft smile.
Usually, I havenoissue communicating what I want. I’m forceful, when I need to be. I stand my ground, voice my desires. But right now...
My confidence has been well and truly rattled. And not only because of my career troubles, but when it comes to men, too. Three boyfriends in the last year, each one leaving more abruptly than the next. Each leaving me with another little scar that makes me question myself and the kind of woman I am. Too strong, too opinionated, too...much.
“You’re not my normal type,” I say, figuring honesty is the best policy. Besides, if this all blows up in my face, then what are the consequences, really? We’re anonymous here, and right now, that’s the best feeling in the world.
“Not into broody anti-heroes with a penchant for caves?”
I can’t help but laugh. “Not usually, no. I’m not usually into small rooms with a strange man whose name I don’t know, either.”
“Not usually or not ever?”
“It’s suddenly more appealing than I first thought,” I whisper.
Someone pokes their head into the room, thinking it’s free, and then holds their hand up in apology when they realise we’re standing in here. We’re alone again. My skin tingles with awareness. I’m deeply, illogically attracted to the man in front of me. There’s a charisma to him, a magnetism that’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.
And yet...he’s familiar in a way that I can’t put my finger on. Truthfully, beyond my work team and my close-knit group of girlfriends, my circle is small. I grew up in Queensland, so I don’t have lifelong friends here. I don’t bump into people I know from school or anything like that. I can count all the people I interact with on two hands.
And most of the people Idoknow are also massive nerds.
“You remind me of someone,” I say, cycling through my brain to try to figure this puzzle out. But maybe it’s nothing more than a need to connect.
The last few months...things have changed. I got dumped, again. I’ve been butting heads with my team more. Ava moved in with Daniel and I miss having her next door. Every time I go online, I end up punishing myself by reading bad reviews of my games.
I’m...lonely.
Hey, even introverts needsomeconnection.
“I’m literally wearing a costume of one of the most recognisable fictional figures of all time,” he says, laughing. “Ofcourse, I seem familiar.”
“That probably has something to do with it.” I glance at the door again.
“You want to keep going with the tour?” He’s giving me an out, allowing me an easy way to move on from this moment and out of the pull he has on me.
I head to the door, fully prepared to walk out of it and treat this situation for what it should be: a harmless little flirtation.
But when I look over my shoulder, catching the deep appreciation in his gaze and the breadth of his shoulders and the full sinful lips...it stirs something inside me. Don’t I deserve a little fun? I’m sick of being the internet’s punching bag. I’m sick of drowning myself in work so that the only thing I have for myself is a once-a-week catch-up with the girls. This job is supposed to be my dream and lately it feels like a noose around my neck.
I’m working too hard. Worrying too much. And doing it all alone.
I wrap my hand around the doorhandle, blood thrumming through my veins faster than normal. Maybe all I need is something fleeting and reckless and then I’ll feel myself again.
I want to feel good. Desired. Admired.
