Page 18 of The Arrogant's Redemption
"East coast," I answer vaguely. "Now, if you’ll excuse me . . .”
"Still, you shouldn’t be out here alone this early."
I let out an exasperated breath. "And why not, exactly?"
"You’re beautiful and very young. Even small towns have crime."
And I just stay there, like an idiot, stuck on the part where he said I’m beautiful.
I look away so I don’t come off like some starstruck country girl. "Thank you, sir . . .”
"Jasper," he says. I test the name in my mind. I’ve never met anyone with that name before. I hop down from the boat and take a few steps toward him.
Now that we’re about half a meter apart, I realize how tall he is. I’m not short—I’m five-foot-nine—but he has to be at least six-foot-three.
"I’m Alexis," I say, offering my hand—a gesture I never make. I’m not one to start friendships, but I like the way this bossy stranger makes my heart race. "I’ve never seen you around here. Did you recently buy a house in Cape Cod?"
Great. I want to slap myself. Could I be more cliché?
“So, Jasper, do you come here often?”Might as well say it in a sultry tone while I’m at it.
In my defense, I don’t know how to flirt. I’ve had zero training in seduction.
He doesn’t say anything. He just looks at my outstretched hand for a moment, then lets his gaze travel down my entire body again, slow, unhurried, until it reaches my face. A look like that should be illegal. I can hear my pulse in my ears.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
My heart feels like the crowd during a Super Bowl halftime show, while I wait to see what he’ll do next.
Seconds go by, and I silently beg some higher power to give me a clue as to how to start an intelligent conversation, but no one has the chance to answer because he finally says, without shaking my hand, "Take care, Alexis. Don’t become a statistic."
Jasper turns and walks away without another word, leaving me standing there, mouth open.
Lazarus
CHAPTER ELEVEN
"Didyou go to that restaurant I told you about? I swear you’ve never had better seafood," Morrison says on the phone.
"Are you high? It’s nine in the morning."
"I know, asshole. I meant last night, when you arrived."
"Stop acting like a mother. It doesn’t suit you. Besides, I already have one who gives me enough grief."
"I’m as maternal, paternal, parental—whatever the fuck you wanna call it—as a cactus. You know that. But you’re like a brother to me, you bastard. I’m worried."
"Why?"
"You never take time off."
"Wrong. This break’s been planned for a while."
"With Jodie?"
"And why the hell would I do that?"
"Because she was still supposed to be your fiancéeright now? That’s what couples do."
