Page 21 (1/2)

Chapter One

Las Vegas

4 pm

Calla

The tallinto the swanky hotel bar eous man I’ve ever laid eyes on

Oh, dear god

I sit up a little straighter in er stops six feet from me He motions the bartender for a beer, then slas his head I can’t help but notice his hands—big and bronzed with pronounced veins running froers taper to clean, brutally short nails

I shiver I’ for hands, and his are the stuff out of my fantasies

Though his head is down, nothing about hi… Frustrated? Exasperated?

Finally, he raises his head and stares straight ahead I glimpse his expression in the ly pissed off The fury in his eyes should scare me It could launch rockets and scorch earth

Perversely, I’m even more aroused Or maybe that’s just his overall effect on me

As if he suddenly realizes he’s not alone, he shifts his regard Our gazes meet in the mirror My heart pounds I should look away, let hi him But I can’t seem to pry my stare free

He turns his head, eyes narrowed, and all his considerable attention falls on me My breath catches

Has any man ever affected me this way?

The simple answer? No Never Not once

And I’ every moment I spend pinned under his stare

“What?” His confrontational bark startles h and merciless as his expression

“Are you okay?”

He says nothing for a longto blowconversational And I’ of attraction is completely one-sided

Finally, he growls, “What’s your name?”

I s “Calla”

His gaze dips to , Calla?”