Page 19 of Royal Shark
Oops! I offended him accidentally. “You’re very manly in a nonnerdy way,” I assure him and quickly move to another topic. “Definitely look up your cousins, uncle, and aunt while you’re here. That’s so sad that you have this whole family you’ve never met.”
“Not exactly sad. I mean, I never met them, so I never knew what I was missing. Silvia says my cousins are gruff and growly.”
“Ooh, I like gruff and growly.”
“Do you now?” he growls in a deep voice.
A hot shiver races through me, my belly quivering. Ah, hell. Now he knows how to get to me. I swallow hard as he lifts my arm, murmuring, “Goose bumps.” He stills, stroking a finger down my forearm, and those goose bumps aren’t going anywhere. He lifts heated eyes to mine. “Interesting.”
Our eyes lock for a long hypnotic moment. My breath stalls, my pulse scrambling. The attraction crackles in the air between us. This is not one-sided. Self-preservation kicks in, and I pull my arm free from his grip, resuming our walk at a quick pace. I just need to get safely home and away from Adrian.
He keeps up with me as I babble about the best restaurants and bars in every possible direction. I’m flustered and hot and not going to do a thing about it.Avoid temptation!I’m only up for casual hookups, and he is not a candidate. Or is he? I stop babbling as I consider this. Maybe it would be casual since he’s leaving on Thursday.
But we’re friends. Well, we were. A sharp pang of regret makes my chest ache. I lost him and Silvia for so long because of my own protective defenses. My sweet memories of Adrian saw me through so many dark times. Tough Sara who takes care of herself. Never depending on anyone—independent, strong,alone.
“You okay?” he asks.
“Yes,” I manage. “If you want authentic Cuban food, that’s the best place.” I point across the street. I’m back on our food tour of Brooklyn that he never asked for.
By the time we get back to my apartment building, I’ve run out of steam. I cannot say one more word about food, and I’m exhausted from trying to keep myself distracted by his sexy presence as he quietly listens by my side.
I stop in front of my building’s door, suddenly awkward over how to say goodbye. Usually this part is a relief for me with a guy and a real quick thing. Maybe I don’t want to say goodbye.
He steps close with a smile that lights up his gorgeous face. His voice is warm honey, and I’m melting all over again. “It was really good to see you again, Sara.”
I can barely breathe. “You too.” I lift my hands at an awkward angle, unsure if we’re going for a hug or a handshake.
He takes my hand, lifting it to his lips, and brushes a kiss across my knuckles. I flush with heat, my heart skips a beat, and my stomach flutters. I. Am. Toast. This is so not me. Then again, I’veneverexperienced anything sweet like this from a guy. Not since…him.
“See you tomorrow at the game.” He holds his hand out, palm up, and wiggles his fingers. “Give me your phone, and I’ll add my number.”
I fish it out of my purse, unlock it, tap over to contacts, and hand it over. He taps rapidly, his lips curving up in a small smile before he hands it back.
I look at the screen. Instead of Adrian, he added himself as “My Hero.” I stare at it for a long moment. I was right. He does have a hero complex. That’s why he’s been so protective. It’s his thing. I shouldn’t get carried away with dreamy fantasies that he cares about me.
I meet his eyes. “Seriously?”
He grins. “Remember when I saved you from the sharks?”
I swallow hard, my heart pounding. I can’t believe he remembers as much about me as I do about him.
“Sharks? What sharks?”
He tilts his head. “Your poker face could use some work. Admit it, at one pointway-a-yback I was your hero.”
“That was a lifetime ago,” I say softly.
“Seems we’ve got some catching up to do.” He salutes me, and for some reason it makes me smile. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
I let myself into the building and up to my apartment. The moment I step inside, I ache with loneliness. Ridiculous. I’ve lived here alone for three weeks now, ever since Chloe moved into her dorm. It’s not like I was going to invite him up. Still, I kind of almost miss him. And then, in a rare impulsive move, I pull out my phone and text him.
You were my hero that summer. Sorry. Sometimes old memories bring up good and bad.This is true, though not the main reason I was cagey. I’m just not used to letting anyone in.
No problem. I can be your shark instead. Card shark.
I smile.So who will save me from you?
