Page 5 of Kodiak

“You ever tried this?” I ask, teasing her as I place my thumb over the page and marking the scene I’m curious about. Her arms tremble as she reaches out and takes it from my grip.

My eyes trail her facial movements, zoning in on her mouth as she bites her bottom lip in contemplation. With bravado she hasn’t shown before, she leans over the table, wiggling her finger to draw me in, and whispers, “I’ll never tell.”

“Fuck,” I grit out, rearranging myself in my jeans. “You’re trouble, aren’t you?”

In response, she shrugs her shoulders and turns away from me, hiding whatever emotion she’s feeling.

One thing I’ve observed, and that’s the fact that she’s got no poker face. Everything she feels is right there on display.

When a few ladies sashay around me, and begin to form a line behind me, as well as around me, I take that as my cue to leave. “I’ll come back when it’s time to pack up and help you get your things to your car,” I offer.

“That’s okay, I don’t want to impose. I can get it,” she rebuts, but I shake my head at her and take a few steps back.

Mouthing, I remark, “Not happening.” Her face flames, but when she sees the seriousness etched on my face, she nods her head in acquiescence.

For the rest of the event, I walk around with a satisfied smile on my face. I’m determined to peel her out of that tight layer she’s swathed herself inside of and find out what she’s been hiding from me behind that cellophane wrapping.

After all, the center is always the sweetest part of any candy.

CHAPTER THREE

LUNA

I don’t knowwhat’s wrong with me. I’ve been acting like a blushing bride whenever the guard, who introduced himself as Marcum, is around. When he loads the last of my totes into the back of my SUV, I begin to panic. I don’t want this to be the last time I ever see him again.

“We’re having an after party and I have an extra ticket. Would you like to come as my guest?” I ask, clamping my eyes shut, preparing for rejection.

“Luna. Look at me, babe,” he commands, placing his thumb on my chin as he tilts my head upward.

As if I’m hardwired to listen to him and do his bidding, my eyes flash open and my heart takes flight when I see the lusty haze in his eyes staring back at me.

“There she is,” he says in a soothing manner as our eyes clash. “I’d love to be your plus one. Trade numbers with me so we cancoordinate where I’m meeting you at and you can let me know when you’re ready.”

He holds out his phone after unlocking it and passes it over to me. I enter my digits and hand it back to him. Then a ding comes from my pocket and I know he’s sent me a text so I have his number.

“The party starts at seven, so I’ll meet you in the lobby at six forty five,” I tell him, not ready to pass out my room number.

We’ve only shared a handful of words, and seeing as I’ve only just met him today, I’m not ready to make myself vulnerable to his sexual prowess.

I’m not that girl.

I’m not shy per se, and one night stands are something I’ve always been curious about but haven’t had the nerve to act on. I’m too skittish and trust is a hard thing for me to dish out.

“Is there going to be drinking at this shindig?” he inquires.

Not once since we started this conversation has he taken his eyes away from mine, it makes me feel seen. With this man, I don’t have the desperate need to stand back and let him lead our interaction.

I don’t feel self-conscious or worry about saying the wrong thing.

Squaring my shoulders, I draw on my favorite heroine’s bravado and stand tall, not letting what I want scuttle away without making sure my interest is known. “It’s an open bar, but I have two tickets that’ll get us one free drink. Don’t stand me up, okay?”

“Never planned on it,” he answers, a serious, deadpanned look painting his face. “I’m not like most men you’ll come across, Luna. If I say I’m going to do something, you can guarandamntee I’m gonna do it. I’m a man of my word if nothing else. Clear?”

“Clear,” I repeat, gulping. “Yeah, uh. So I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

“See you in a couple hours, beautiful.” With a wink, he leaves me standing by my vehicle with my jaw hanging open.

I don’t think any man outside of my father has ever said that I’m beautiful before.

---