Page 42 of Lucky Baller
As I push open the door, the smell of baked goods and yummy coffee surrounds me. There are so many different scents, I can’t name a single one. The only way I can describe it is delicious. My stomach grumbles as I take my place in line. All the small tables are taken except for one, in the back corner of the café. Now, if I were staying to eat, that’s the table I would choose. I’m not antisocial, but I like to people watch, fly under the radar, so to speak. A small corner table to devour cinnamon goodness would suit me just fine.
Speaking of people watching, I can’t help but notice the man standing in front of me. My eyes rake over him in appreciation. Sure, it’s just the backside, but impressive all the same. He’s wearing one of those compression shirts. It’s a royal blue color and forms quite nicely to his muscles. A pair of black basketball shorts hang from his hips, and I can only imagine he’s one of those with the V—you know, where the shorts or, holy hell, even sweatpants hang just right. The thought has me licking my lips, for more than just a cinnamon coffee cake muffin.
The line moves forward, and so do I. My feet move on their own accord as I stare at his ass. What is it they say? So firm you can bounce a quarter off it? Yeah, this guy fits the bill for sure. I take another step forward, only this time, the line’s not moving. “Umpf.” My hands fly out and press against his back to keep myself from falling. “Shit.” I immediately remove my hands from his toned, muscular back, but I can still feel the heat of his body on my palms. He turns to look at me over his shoulder, and I gasp.
Landon.
A slow smile crosses his face as he turns sideways. His eyes start at my crazy mop of hair on top of my head, before skimming over my body. Heat courses through me, both in embarrassment and well… a little bit turned on, if I’m being honest. Landon is sexy as sin, and to have his attention on me… well, I’m only human. What makes it worse is that I know what it feels like to have his arms around me.
Danger. Danger. Danger.I keep repeating the words over and over in my head. Landon Barker is dangerous. Not in an illegal kind of way, but in a he-can-break-your-heart kind of way.
Suddenly, I remember that not only is my hair in a messy knot, but I also have zero makeup on, and I’m in a T-shirt and yoga pants. Isn’t that just my luck? I literally run into the sexiest man on earth and I look like a hot mess. Not to mention, said sexy man has been… pursuing me? Is that what he’s been doing?
Damn alarm clock!
“You okay, Freckles?” he asks in his deep, masculine voice.
“I-I’m so sorry.” I manage to squeak the words. Why am I suddenly nervous around him? This is Landon, and I’m not trying to impress him. Not really, but I’d still like to be presentable.
“Happens all the time.” He smirks.
I’m sure it does.His eyes alone are enough to have panties dropping everywhere. Add in his thick, dark locks and his body, and it’s obvious he’s not just being a conceited jerk; he’s speaking the truth. “I should have been paying attention,” I say when I realize he’s still looking at me.
“It’s all good.” He nods. His eyes are doing another lazy stroll of my body, making me feel self-conscious.
“I woke up late. It’s been one of those mornings.” I laugh humorlessly. You know what I’m talking about, those laughs thatmake everyone within earshot uncomfortable. Yeah, that’s me.Fuck my life.
“Uh-huh,” he says, a smile tilting his gorgeous full lips. “Something keeping you up at night, Tess?”
Why does his voice suddenly sound like sex? “So, uh, you come here often?” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I want to force them back in. Landon has managed to turn me into a bumbling, lame, small-talking idiot.
“No, first time, actually.” He doesn’t give me more than that. My eyes rake over him, taking him in from head to toe. Why am I acting this way this morning? I think it’s the eyes. Then again, maybe it’s the muscles or that beard. Hmm, I do love me a beard. Either way, I need to snap out of it. This is Landon. The player, not just on the field, if my internet research is accurate. We’re friends, nothing more.
“Hello.” He waves his hand in front of my face to get my attention. Not that it’s possible, but if it were, my face would be even redder from embarrassment. “You okay?” He raises his eyebrows like he’s not really sure. Is that concern on his face?
Great, I’ve officially presented myself as the crazy, messy, stare-off-into-space, laugh-at-the-wrong-time girl. Just the icing on this shit-tastic day. “Yeah, sorry, just thinking about what I’m going to get.” Lies.
“I’m not sure either.” He rubs his hand over his chin, over his beard.
“Cinnamon coffee cake muffin,” I blurt out—my favorite. “You can’t go wrong.” I’m nodding like a crazy person. I blame all of this on my damn alarm clock. Waking up late puts me off-kilter every damn time. I hate it. I make a mental note to get a backup for the future. No more days like today. I don’t think I’d survive them, and the day’s just started.
“Next!” the barista calls out.
Just like that, he turns to place his order, and I’m once again faced with his strong,
muscular back and that ass. Realizing I’m standing here staring at said ass, I avert my gaze to anywhere but his ass. I settle on a poster advertising an upcoming craft fair at the local convention center. Maybe I’ll see if Autumn wants to go. He turns to me. “What do you want, Tess?”
“Nothing, I have a list, so you go ahead.” I wave him off.
“Tessa.”
“Landon.” I match his tone. “Really, I’m good. Next time.”
“I’m holding you to that,” he says, and turns back to pay for his order.
Closing my eyes, I take a cleansing breath. I need to get my head in the game. I’m not some teenager who can’t talk to guys, and this is Landon. He’s not a stranger. Sure, we’re not BFFs, but we’ve spent some time together, so the way I’m acting is ridiculous.
“Ma’am,” I hear an irritated barista call out. Opening my eyes and snapping my head to face forward, I see it’s my turn. I’m holding up the line, and Landon is gone.
