Page 21 of Becoming His Perfect Daddy
My eyes shot wide. I used my headshot in my marketing materials, in my books, on social media, so it wasn’t like I hid my identity, but to have a random stranger on the street—or in a coffee shop, as it were—recognize me? How the hell did that happen? Indie authors werenotcelebrities. “You . . . my books?”
He nodded, a sheepish smile crossing his face. “Yes. Your latest one with Jesse and Jay might be my favorite yet.”
The tension in my shoulders relaxed just a little. The fact that he knew my characters’ names made me trust him a bit more. It didn’t feel stalkery. Did it?
Looking into Sam’s eyes, I didn’t get that vibe from him. He just happened to have a run-in with an indie author he knew.The odds of that happening had to be astronomical, but I supposed it wasn’t impossible.
I breathed out a nervous laugh, still trying to sort out everything in my brain. Scrubbing my hand across my jaw, I caught his gaze. “Well, I’ve gotta say I’ve never had that happen before.”
The red in his cheeks deepened. God, that was adorable. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just wanted you to know that I love your books so much. You’re my favorite author. I might be fanboying a little hard right now.”
He chuckled, and I joined him, breaking the tension between us. “Fanboy away, please. You’re stroking my ego.”
His chocolate eyes flashed for the briefest of seconds, and was that heat I saw in them? Was he imagining stroking other things?
Shit. Now I was, too.
The realization that I was super into Sam hit me so suddenly that it took my breath away. Because he had captured my attention completely. I couldn’t explain it, and I wasn’t ready for it.
After the terrible date I’d had in November, I’d sworn off dating, and I meant it. Besides, I didn’t even know if Sam was gay. Or interested. But that look . . .
Maybe that was just like hero worship or something. Yeah, that had to be it. I couldn’t have met the perfect guy less than six months after swearing off men forever, could I?
Okay, so calling him “the perfect guy” was a little premature; I got that. But I was a romance writer for god’s sake—romanticism came with the territory.
He wasn’t the type of guy I’d usually go for, but maybe that was a good thing. Maybe that was my problem. Maybe I needed a new type of guy.
Or maybe I wasn’t ready for any of it.
I shook my head to clear it, knowing I had to say something so he didn’t think I hated him. “Sam, thank you for saying all that. Really. I appreciate your kind words.” I smiled sweetly as Tristan sidled up next to me, effectively ending our conversation.
“Would you like to join us?” my bestie asked without hesitation, and my heart started pounding. Did I want him to say yes or no?
What I could’ve sworn was fear flashed in Sam’s eyes. What was that about? “Th-thank you, but I have . . . somewhere to be.”
My heart sank, and I knew in that moment the depths of how much I wanted him. I was insanely attracted to him—I wasn’t so dumb I couldn’t admit that to myself. But it would never work between us. I couldn’t trust men; I’d decided that long ago. And I knew trans guys were often attracted to other trans guys—shared experiences could certainly create strong bonds—but I’d never even looked at another trans man that way.
Plus, I didn’t know this guy. Could I even trust him in a romantic relationship? Could I trust anyone?
Shit. I was gettingwayahead of myself. Did I think he was hot as fuck? Yes. But was I ready for something more than just friends? No.
I blinked hard as Sam waved and turned for the door. I called out a “goodbye” a second later than I should’ve, and I kicked myself.
Because all of that prevarication and consideration and going back and forth didn’t stop me from wishing I’d given him my number before he left, just in case.
Tristan stared at me as my eyes followed his amazing ass out the door. When he was out of sight through the wall of windows, I reluctantly turned back to my bestie. “What?”
“Don’t ‘what’ me, Cammy-boy. You know what. You were into Sam!”
I considered lying for only a moment because I knew Tris would recognize it a mile away. “Okay, sure, I thought he was hot. But I swore off men after my last horrific date, okay?”
“First, that’s ridiculous. Cameron—yes, I’m using your actual name so you know I’m serious—you and Sam were just adorable. You would be great together; I just know it.”
I shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. It doesn’t matter now. I’ll probably never see him again.” I took a final swig of my lukewarm latte as the thought sent a sharp pain through my chest.
Fuck, what was wrong with me?
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