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“Morning,” she greets. “How’d it go with Alexander?”
“Weird. Can I come by and bring you coffee? I’m right down the road.”
“You will be an absolute goddess if you bring me coffee. I had to come in early this morning.”
Relief washes over me. I have my opportunity. And I like her. A friendly face is welcomed right about now. “What’s your drink?”
“Skinny vanilla latte.”
“And Mark’s?”
“He’s in a meeting. And he’s cut off today. He’s had three cups this morning. Believe me, for Mark, that’s enough.”
“I don’t think I want to know what that means.”
“Exactly,” she agrees.
I laugh, and it’s genuine. There is just something kismet about this new friendship. “I’ll be there in fifteen.”
And I am. Exactly fifteen minutes later, I’ve handed off my coat, checked in with Amber at the front desk, and I’m on my way past the receptionist’s desk to Crystal’s office when Kace appears directly in my path. And Lord help me, the man makes black denim and the black leather jacket he’s wearing look like sex walking and walking right for me.
I don’t know what it is about this man, but I’m weak in the knees and my heart is all fluttery. I’ve known good looking and powerful men through my work, but none have affected me like Kace August, who is rapidly approaching. In another two steps, he’s standing in front of me, Mr. Blue Eyes who smells like spice and man in a warm, delicious way.
“Small world yet again,” he says softly.
“I’m not stalking you,” I joke and that’s another thing about Kace. As much as he affects me, I find an easy comfort with him as well.
He laughs at the comment, all low and sultry. “Well then, I’ll have to try to be more interesting.”
“Please don’t,” I say, the comment out before I can stop it. Apparently, he makes me lose my decorum as well.
His lips—very nice, full lips—curve. “You can explain that comment to me when I get back home. I’m leaving for a concert hop, but I’ll be back the night of the auction.”
Unbidden disappointment stabs at me. “You’re leaving.” It’s not a question. It’s a statement, me trying to digest what he’s just announced.
“It’s what I do, Aria,” he murmurs softy. “I tour, but I told you. I’m taking a break soon.” He pauses and I swear he looks at my mouth before he meets my stare and adds, “I’ll see you soon.” And then to my shock, he steps closer, his hand finding my waist beneath my blazer. He leans in close, his lips finding my ear as he whispers to me in Italian, “Mi fai impazzire,” which translates to you drive me crazy. A shiver runs down my spine and when he pulls back, fixing me in that deep blue stare, I’m melting all over again. “See you soon,” he repeats and steps around me to head toward the door.
Breathless now, I will myself not to turn and watch him leave, but I also don’t walk away. I don’t move at all. I’m weak in the knees. I’m warm all over. I’m so hypersensitive to this man that it’s insane. I drive him crazy? He’s driving me crazy. It’s proven by the fact that I’m standing in the center of the lobby of Riptide and I’m not walking. And Lord help me, I’m weak. I turn to watch his departure. It just—happens. He’s at the door now, his back to me, but he doesn’t exit the building. He turns, too, and his gaze lands on me. He lifts a hand and gives me a small wave, and then he leaves. He exits and I really don’t know what just happened. But I’m just standing here holding two cups of coffee, going nowhere.
I force myself to turn back around, to put one foot in front of the other and I arrive at Crystal’s office quickly, where I mentally shake off the encounter before I poke my head around the door and she smiles instantly.
“Morning, sunshine,” she greets, standing and rounding the desk to meet me at the table. “What brings you out this way so early?” she asks, accepting her coffee.
I set my bag in the chair and we both settle into our seats. “Honestly,” I say because honesty feels really good. “To talk to you.”
She wiggles and eyebrow. “About Kace?”
“I’m way too confused about Kace to even begin to talk about him.”
“I was thinking about you saying that’s he’s hot and cold with you.”
As have I, I think, and way too much.
“You have to remember that he’s a public figure,” she continues, “and a lot of people have agendas where he’s concerned. He might be hot, but he burns a cautious slow burn because life has taught him caution is necessary.”
I don’t miss the irony of her words, considering I accused him of having an agenda or the fact that I of all people understand that life lesson and understand it well. “What’s his problem with Alexander?”
