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The air rushed out of my lungs. One of my ribs might have been cracked by the force. In a stagger to stay upright, I grasped onto the nearest thing. My assailant.
Only to find a petite slip of a woman staring wildly at chocolate bars teetering in my hands with the impact of my grasp.
And maybe she was staring ever so wildly at me too.
FIVE
Big and Burly
LUX
I gasped,my ponytail swinging and slapping me straight in the face. The Snickers bar was so fucking close. I could smell its chocolate and nougat goodness. It was all I could focus on until I noticed the taut chest and abs attached to the hands that held what I was craving. Well, that happened at roughly the same time as the thudding into my now dead arm. It felt like I'd crashed into a linebacker.
"I am so sorry," I said, meeting the bluest set of eyes in the world. I could get lost in them. Drown in the azure blue. Heat trickled up my spine, into my neck, ears, and cheeks. He was beyond handsome. Like the Duke from my latest romance novel. Why had I put my hair up? I had nothing to hide behind.
"I might have broken a rib, but I'm in the right place for that," he said and smiled.
It was endearingly crooked. And damn if he didn't have luscious lips and the straightest and whitest teeth. Dark stubble dotted his face, and his thick brows were scrunched in surprise.
My cheeks got hotter, and a twinge of need danced to a sultry tune at my core. "I-I was so focused on the machine, and I didn't see you."
"No worries. Go ahead. I'm done." The hulking shadow which belonged to the utter man-mountain of a male specimen held out his hand to signal I should make my choice.
A gentleman and gorgeous. Was I dreaming? At least I didn't have to worry about hurting him. The guy took huge to the next level.
I debated whether to keep talking to the man or get my Snickers. Both were delectable, but which did I want more. I internally snorted. While the man was hot, he wouldn't want anything to do with me. But the Snickers… that was all mine.
Giving him a quick smile of thanks and hoping my cheeks were a delicate flush and not the purple beets I anticipated, I focused on the machine. A Snickers or…
Before I could decide, my mom's words infiltrated into my head.Lux, always make sure every mouthful of food has the perfect macros. Vitamins are essential. Never forget iron, too. You need those healthy blood cells.
I doubted Snickers had much if any iron.
If I had the chocolate, then the fact I'd run from my mom this morning and come by myself would only multiply her anger, and I'd be even more guilt-ridden.
"You having trouble choosing?" asked a deep rumbling voice.
I nibbled on my lower lip. He hadn't left. "Sorry, were you not done?" I glanced at the chocolate in his hands and tried to smile, but the man hulk had an intimidating edge.
"Oh, I'm done. I was just curious about what you'd choose. Snickers or plain chocolate?"
I gasped in surprise, meeting his startlingly beautiful eyes. "How did you know?"
"Well, it's close enough to lunchtime that a Snickers starts to look more satisfying." He chuckled, his eyes sweeping over me.
I shivered as though he'd touched me, and a small smile crept onto my lips. "Are you a connoisseur of chocolate, or is this merely a hobby?"
He bit down on a smile. "Chocolate should always be taken seriously."
"Hm." My response had a wistful edge which I foolishly hoped he'd ignore.
"You don't agree."
"I wouldn't know. I don't eat much of the stuff." I focused on his stunning eyes. "Hence my hesitation. I should have a proper meal." I didn't mention mom's words echoing in my mind. He might think me bananas.
"I have to say, I agree." His eyes swept over me again.
I felt naked and desired in one moment. But I was more focused on the fact that he agreed I needed food. Damn him—killer of joy. What did he know?
