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Chapter 1

The overpackedbox teetered precariously inmy hip to close the back door oflot, next to a erously

One Two Three Four Five

The box finally stopped o of my breath What was in the box ay too precious to drop Soht of before I packed a billion things in it

Too late now

Sighing, I peered above the cardboard edge so I could see the sidewalk and the entrance to my apartment, then I started forward, determined to not drop the box or break my neck in the process Thank God and all His—or Her—truround level

I really hoped I wouldn’t have to h I didn’t have that e pain in the butt Thankfully the big stuff—the bed, couch, and other furniture—had been shipped and delivered I just had no idea I could collect soin a dorm

I’d made it to the sidewalk, near the wide stairway that led up to the upper floors, when the burning in rew in its intensity The box started to shake again, and I swore undercurse that would’ve made my father and his father so very proud of me

Only a fewmyself, just a few rasp My knees bent as I tried to regain rip but it was too late The box full of totally breakable stuff started to fall

“Son of a bitch-ass, rat bastard, mother fu—”

The box halted suddenly, a foot fro of curses was cut off The weight of the heavy box was coone, and my obviously weak arm muscles ith relief At first I wondered if I’d developed soe hands that weren’t mine on either side of the box

“I admire anyone who can successfully use the words ‘rat bastard’ in a sentence”

My eyes widened at the sound of the incredibly rich voice I rarely blushed Ever In fact, it was usuallyothers blush But I did then My face heated like I’d pressedup on staring at his hands The fingers were long and elegant, the nails filed down to blunt ends, giving away to skin a few shades deeper than mine

Then the box aze wander above the box, over broad shoulders and then to the very source of that voice

Holy hot guy

Standing beforeembodiment of tall, dark, and handsouy was simply off the charts Maybe it had to do with his unique coloring His dark brown hair, trih cheekbones and a cut, angular jaw His skin tone had a deep, olive tint, hinting toward soreat-grandfather had been Cuban, and there were so traits of his that had been passed on to me

Striking eyes peered out froe of thick lashes, and those eyes were truly soreen around the pupils and al the rims I knew that had to be so

This guy was impressive

“Especially when those words are co up at one corner

I snapped out of it before I needed a bib to catchto save that box”

“No proble in some areasboxes and running around, all I earing was gym shorts and a fitted T-shirt despite the chilly weather And the gym shorts could barely be considered shorts “You’re welcome to finish that ‘Son of a bitch-ass’ sentence I’ to come up with”

My lips twitched into a smile “I’one”