Perfect Stranger (Serendipity's Finest 2.50)

She couldn’t stop the smile he inspired. “Well if you’re a friend of the Rhodeses, I gu

ess you’re safe enough.”

He let out a laugh. “Darlin’, I don’t know many people who’d call me safe.”

And with the way his hot gaze devoured hers, she couldn’t say she felt safe, either. The Alexa she’d become didn’t take chances, didn’t date, and she certainly didn’t give up sleep for a meal. She didn’t crook her finger and invite a sexy stranger to grind with her on the dance floor, either. But the Alexa she was around this man apparently did all those things…and looked forward to doing even more.

* * *

Luke liked a woman with a healthy appetite, something he rarely saw unless he was home with his mother and sisters. Alexa ordered a serious meal: scrambled eggs, two pancakes, bacon, a large glass of orange juice, and coffee. He wasn’t sure what he enjoyed more, eating his omelette or watching her devour her breakfast. She didn’t seem the least bit concerned about what he might think, and by the time they’d finished their food, he had yet another reason to like this woman.

“Oh my God, I was starving,” she said, wiping her mouth with a napkin and finally coming up for air.

He grinned. “Feeling better?”

She nodded, eyes sparkling. “Definitely got my second wind.”

Her words hit him in the gut. He could think of a lot of things they could do to make use of that newfound energy. Instead, he did the unexpected, even to himself, and settled in to get to know her better. “So your friend’s okay?”

Alexa’s gaze softened. “Yes, thank God.”

“And things better with her guy?”

“Probably not yet, but if Mike has his way they will be.” Alexa spent the next few minutes explaining to him how Mike had what she called “sticking” issues, but that she’d never seen him so intent on making things right. “So I’ll give him that chance. But if he hurts her again, I’ll remind him I’m an expert with a scalpel.”

Luke made a mental note to remember that, too. “Bloodthirsty?” he asked.

“Just not squeamish. I’ve been around medicine since I was born. My father’s a doctor, too.”

He nodded, enjoying this glimpse into who she was. “And you followed in his footsteps?”

“It was mandatory,” she said, taking a sip of her freshly refilled coffee. “Especially after mom died and I had no one to stick up for what I might want,” she admitted.

“How old were you?”

“Ten.”

He winced, unable to imagine his sisters getting through their teenage years without their mother’s steadying influence. “I’m sorry.”

“Thanks. How about you?” she asked, clearly deflecting. “Parents? Siblings?”

“Hmm. Both parents still alive and married, and three sisters.”

She opened her mouth, then closed it again. “And you came out a jock anyway?” she asked, laughing.

He grinned. “My dad was the high school football coach and I was the oldest. All pretty much worked in my favor.” His mom got her girls to fuss over and his dad worked hard kicking Luke’s butt and nurturing his talent.

“You were lucky,” she murmured.

“Yeah, I was.”

“Did you always know you wanted to play football?” she asked, leaning closer, clearly interested in his answer. Interested in him.

He nodded. “Pretty much. It came naturally and I always loved it. Still do. Not just the playing but everything about the life. How about you, Doctor?”

“The idea of being a doctor? Yeah, that I wanted. A lot. The reality?” She shrugged. “It’s been a lot tougher than I thought.”

“The actual work? The hours? Or what?”