.
“Jackass,” I mumble under my breath, my mood worsening.
I need to get laid. The thought takes root as I scrub a hand roughly across my face and try to remember how long it’s been. Too fucking long.
I thought last night was a sure thing and my jaw clenches when I think about the date I had planned. The romantic dinner that went to waste when I was cockblocked by a cute blonde who demanded my date’s attention and put a quick end to our night with her dramatics.
I make a mental note to find a solution to the roommate problem as soon as possible.
Spotting a coffee shop ahead, I speed up, confident that a caffeine hit will make this shopping trip slightly more bearable.
I have only just moved into the line and am eyeing up the pastries, considering a cheese danish when my attention is snagged by a beautiful brunette who is striding confidently through the crowd, long legs on full display in a short dress that screams summer, despite the frigid temperature outside.
A small serene smile plays along her full lips, out of place amongst the chaos, and without hesitation, I step out of the line and begin to follow her. Like a creeper.
This may be a personal low for me.
I trail along behind her, waiting for her to notice me, looking for an opportunity to make that happen. She’s too busy beaming at unsmiling shoppers who regard her happiness with suspicion while scanning a handwritten list that she holds in her small hand.
The back of my neck heats as I remember the feel of that hand on my skin last night, dragging my mouth to hers in apology before she rushed away.
Her head turns in the direction of a dollar shop and she quickly switches direction, cutting across the crowd to head inside.
I weigh my choices. The obvious option is to leave her alone to do her shopping while I get back to my own and wait for a better opportunity to take what I want from her. This would be the smart decision.
I never claimed to be a smart man.
I turn and follow her path, ignoring the annoyed murmurs that follow me, too intent on getting her eyes on me. In fact, a small smirk settles on my face as an idea begins to formulate, getting clearer with every step I take.
2
Skye
He thinks he’s so clever. I roll my eyes as I watch him in my periphery, stalking me around the store. As if I didn’t notice him as soon as he stepped out of that coffee shop and started following me like a creep.
I bite down on my lip to stifle a grin. He’s a hot creep though, so I’ll probably forgive him.
I continue strolling around the store and can’t control my sigh of relief when I spot the Valentine’s Day decorations up ahead. I don’t know why I agreed to help throw this party. My only defense is that Cassidy, my best friend, is annoyingly persistent, so the idea that my assistance was actually optional is laughable. She’s lucky I love her.
Speaking of, I glance over my shoulder to see what he’s up to now, only to find he’s disappeared.
I try to tamp down the flicker of disappointment, but I can’t deny after our date got cut short last night, I was excited to see him here.
Checking my watch, I quickly remember why I’m here and turn back to my shopping. Only to startle when a warm breath ghosts across my cheek.
“Hello.”
I peek up and come face to face with a smirk that, frankly, could do with being kissed right off his gorgeous face.
“Hi,” I return, slightly breathless. Annoyingly breathless.
He’s leaning against the counter that holds an assortment of heart-shaped decorations, his arms crossed over his broad chest and he’s wearing an expression that is ridiculously confident.
I take a moment to let my gaze travel down the length of him. His heather gray t-shirt stretches over his shoulders and is slightly worn, the faded jeans that encase his strong legs look as though they have seen better days and, if I’m not mistaken, there is the start of a hole near the big toe of his black Converse. Overall, combined with the day-old stubble and windswept dark hair, the entire package is a slightly rumpled mess.
One that I would like to mess up a little more if given the opportunity.
I turn and mirror his position, folding my arms across my chest, just below my breasts so they’re pushed up a little more, taking satisfaction in the way his eyes stray to them. I quirk a brow at him, waiting to see how he’s going to play this.