Page 7 of Blind Attraction

“Hey!” The male shout came from the other side of the lobby.

She knew who the voice belonged to before she glanced over her shoulder. Her feet rooted in place while Kate turned back around. Her friend’s expression brightened with an enthusiastic smile.

“It’s him,” Kate whispered, her lips barely moving.

Alana gave a slow nod, and swallowed down the nausea pooling in her throat. She could act cool. She didn’t have a lot of experience talking to men. In fact, she’d only spoken to five people of the opposite sex in the last twelve months. But she could do this.

“Start breathing before you pass out…and smile. You’ll do great.” Kate squeezed her shoulder and encouraged her to face him with a little push.

Alana pivoted on her toes while time passed in excruciating seconds. He walked toward her wearing the same cap from earlier and a fresh change of clothes. Their gazes met. He stared at her with gleaming hazel eyes and a cheeky grin which made her insides melt.

And he wasn’t alone.

Another band member walked beside him, the guitarist with the raven, spiky hair and tattoos marking both arms. His eyes were blacker than night, dark and ensnaring, yet he had a cocky smirk that made her smile.

“It’s Blake and Mitch!” The scream came from a group of five female’s hovering near the hall to the function room.

Neither man flinched at the attention. It wasn’t until then she realized four more men strolled behind them, protecting the rock stars from a distance.

Blake gave a wave to the hyperventilating women who were being encouraged to stay back by hotel security. He leaned into Mitchell, spoke something in his ear, then changed direction and strode toward the growing crowd.

Alana glanced back at Mitchell, now only feet away, and swallowed at the intensity in his gaze. His eyes devoured her, caressing her body from her hair to her toes.

“Hey.” His smooth tone made her breasts tingle and she had no idea why.

“Hi, Mitch.” Kate’s voice was bubbly and off pitch.

Alana looked at her and wondered if her friend realized she was bouncing on her toes like a child on a sugar high. She frowned at Kate and received a glare in return. Kate jerked her head toward Mitchell, wordlessly instructing Alana to greet the world famous musician.

“Hello,” she offered, reaching out her hand before thinking better of it. Did people still shake hands?

He glanced at her offering and grasped it in his own. His fingers were large, making hers appear childlike. Instead of greeting her in the way she expected, he raised her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. Fire sliced through her chest, and a moan echoed between them. More than three seconds passed before she realized Kate had been the one to make the noise, not her.

“Can I buy you both a drink?” He didn’t let go of her hand, just continued to stare into her eyes.

She glanced at Kate, breaking the connection and breathed through her anxiety. She hoped he couldn’t sense the way her palm began to sweat.

Kate raised her brows. “It’s up to you, Al.”

“Al.” Her name came from his lips in a barely audible whisper and she turned her gaze back to him. “Sorry. I’ve been wondering what your name was all night.”

She pressed her lips together to hide her elation. Mitchell Davies, a man better designed than seemed humanly fair, had been thinking about her name. All night.

Her insides tingled in a mix of excitement and apprehension. Her mother had taught her not to trust a gorgeous face, yet she easily melted into his touch. “Alana Shelton,” she corrected, and cheered inwardly when her voice didn’t waver.

He squeezed her hand before letting it go. “Nice to properly meet you, Alana.”

* * *

“Let’s get that drink.” Mitch needed to concentrate on something other than the lightest green eyes he’d ever seen. They were more than stunning. They were intoxicating. He felt drugged by their gentle hold, unable to look away.

“Hey, Mitch.” Blake called out, and jogged toward them. “Ladies,” he greeted with a wave.

Jealousy washed over him, thick and rich, when Alana flashed her dimples at his best friend.

“Hi,” she greeted.

He closed his eyes for a brief moment at the sweet sound. He was in trouble. Big. Huge. Fucking gargantuan trouble. Had it really been that long since he’d been infatuated with a woman? He glanced at Alana and continued to wonder if there’d ever been a female to gain his interest so fast, or so thoroughly.