Page 7 of Just One Silver Fox

“Looking good!” Ty called in greeting as if he knew the new arrival.

“Love the new look,” Cassie said with approval, again sounding as if they were acquainted.

Sonia looked again.

The guy spun and bowed to a patter of applause. “Couldn’t have done it without your advice, Ty.” He laughed and took off his sunglasses, waving a greeting with his other hand. His steel prosthesis glinted in the light. Nate Buchanan was the only person Sonia knew with a prosthesis and he called that one the Hook.

But Nate did not look like this. He didn’t swagger with that kind of confidence. He was moving more like Kyle than the boy-next-door she’d worked with for two years—the guy she’d called ‘sweet’ the last time they’d talked—and Sonia felt everything within her stand at attention. What had happened to Nate? It was all good, whatever it was. He wasn’t just wearing a great suit: he looked dangerous and about a million times more sexy than she remembered.

Did Nate have an evil twin, too?

“Nate!” Pierce said with pleasure and crossed the lobby to meet him. “I’m glad you could make it.” They started to shake hands, but then caught themselves and bumped elbows instead. “We’re expecting you to start Monday, if that’s still okay,” Pierce said. “Mack has arranged everything with her typical efficiency.”

Mack waved at Pierce’s comment. She then took a couple of shots of Nate, and wolf-whistled at him.

Expecting Nate where?

“Absolutely. I’m heading out from here.” Nate said easily and Sonia’s heart skipped a beat. “I thought I needed to quarantine for two weeks.”

“I think it’s wise, but we can start your training at the hotel. Lots of remote learning opportunities right now, and we’ll have a secure connection.”

“It’ll give you something to do,” Mack said. “Instead of catching up on the soaps.”

“Awesome. Thanks again for the opportunity, Pierce.”

“You’ll be a perfect fit. You already know Jimmy, Simon and Mack.” Pierce gestured to his companions who stepped forward to talk to Nate. Simon had left his post at the door so all the guests must have arrived.

They chatted together as Sonia checked Nate out. This new incarnation of the guy she thought she knew had a bit of edge, and more than a little glamor. The prosthesis just added to his look, like he was a superhero. Nate’s hair was still short, though it was a little longer and wavier than before. He was still clean-shaven, but he resembled that shot of him climbing the rock wall in the billboard for the club the year before.

The photographer—Shannyn—had caught him laughing. He looked like he owned the world in that image.

She remembered her first glimpse of him, when Kyle had challenged him to a race up the wall. Nate had beat Kyle, which had shocked that partner, but he’d gone up that wall like a supersonic spider.

Sonia had always thought of Nate as the hometown hero who’d served his country and lost a hand, the guy who didn’t swear, who took care of his mom, who could be relied upon to do the right thing. He wasnice. He would water your plants and feed your cat while you were away, and never check out your lingerie drawer, even if he had the keys to your place.

But now Nate looked like the kind of guy who broke hearts, forgot names and never called back—after one hot and unforgettable night that was totally worth the price of admission. He would definitely go through a lingerie drawer, line up his favorites and ask for a private show. He’d get it, too, just because of the way he asked. He might leave women pining for him in every city he visited, haunt their dreams, make everything feel fresh and new. This Nate had to know how to dance, how to kiss, and how to make love all night long.

Sonia was ready to sign up for all of that.

She was still admiring the view when Nate turned toward her. She didn’t avert her gaze, even though she’d been caught looking—too bad he couldn’t see her smile behind the mask. He had the same twinkle in his eyes she remembered but there was a new challenge in it today. Her heart thumped when he surveyed her.

If he was daring her, she’d take him up on that.

He walked toward her and she didn’t move an inch.

“Hey Sonia,” he murmured, his words a low thrum that made everything hum along with her tattoo. His gaze swept over her like a touch. “Howareyou?”

Fine. Sonia was just fine.

And she was going to be even better soon.

* * *

Nate thoughthe’d used up all his good luck when he found a parking spot right outside the door of Flatiron Five Fitness, but clearly not.

Sonia had come to the wedding.

Not only was she as gorgeous as ever—and dressed to make the most of it, which was new—but she was watching him intently. Was she just admiring his suit? Nate couldn’t tell and reminded himself not to expect too much. She’d called him ‘sweet’, after all, pretty much dismissing him from being of any interest at all.

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