Page 67 of Shifting Hearts 1
Her thoughts betrayed her and strayed to her boss more than once. She caressed the spot on her throat where he’d touched her with his fangs. She had her work cut out for her trying to balance sensibility as he tempted her with carnal sin.
Her thoughts were interrupted as her stomach churned painfully. She knocked on Jas’s door to take his lunch order, surely like her, he must eat.
Silence.
She knocked again. There was no answer.
Seraphina abandoned her desk to satisfy her own needs.
She asked the receptionist in the lobby for a lunch recommendation and was pointed to the sandwich shop right around the corner.
The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted along the breeze and greeted her nostrils most deliciously, causing her to salivate. Being a vegetarian, she chose a loaded veggie sub and took her purchase outside to eat at a little cafe table in the sunshine.
She salivated in anticipation and the paper crinkled as she unwrapped the scrumptious sub. The flavors of the crisp vegetables and seasoned, soft bread made her swoon with delight.
Her eyes popped open as a shadow blotted out the sun. Her hazel eyes swirled and her starseed vibrated, as a vision pulled her away from the city and into the countryside.
She whipped the sweat from her brow with an arm and raised from the vegetable bed. Children’s laughter filled the air as their father chased them, and every time he caught them, they squealed in delight. The dog barked gleefully, running circles around them with his tail wagging. The cat yawned and languidly stretched her back before curling back up to soak up the lazy afternoon sunshine.
The angel couldn’t breathe as she slammed back into the present as a voice startled her out of her vision. Her food caught in her throat and she coughed, patting her chest to help it clear.
“Are you alright, miss?” a handsome blond man asked as he fished a handkerchief out of his pocket and held it out to her. Her fingers shook as she gaped like a fish, fighting to breathe again.
“Are you alright, miss?” he repeated.
She nodded lamely as he broke into a broad smile. Her face colored as her eyes fell on the muscular forearms that peeked out from rolled sleeves. A dusting of light chest hair was visible beneath the undone button at his collar.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“I’m Eli.”
“I’m Seraphina.”
“What a beautiful name for a ravishing woman. Do you mind if I join you?”
His eyes never left hers as he gestured to the empty seat next to her.
“Um…” She bit her lip. “I mean yes. That would be fine.”
His chuckle was laced with dark promise, despite the dimpled smile on his face making her uncomfortable. He pulled a sandwich out of the white paper bag and a wave of nausea washed over Seraphina as the smell of cured meats assaulted her nostrils. An involuntary wrinkle of her nose preceded her recoil.
Eli failed to notice as he bit into the juicy, meaty sandwich. He frowned when Seraphina clapped her hand over her mouth.
“Wat rog?” he asked with his mouth full.
“I’m a vegetarian.”
With her appetite spoiled, Seraphina gestured to her vegetable sub as she placed it back on the paper.
“Oh shit! I’m sorry.” Eli wrapped his sandwich up and pushed it away, inadvertently pushing it closer to Seraphina.
“I’m sorry,” she squeaked. “I just realized my lunch break is over. Goodbye.”
Her heart pounded as she ran around the corner as quickly as she could. She was mortified by the encounter and wiped the tears from her eyes, as she dropped back into the seat at her desk. She’d been optimistic waking up that morning, and now, couldn’t wait for the day to end.
Her phone rang and she quickly picked it up.
“This is Jasper Conrad’s assistant, how may I help you?” She sniffled.
