Excerpt:
Dear Diary,
What I wouldn't give for
a book with tips on How to Attract Your Sexy Neighbor. It'd
certainly beat editing a guide entitled Computer Programming
Made Easy. Peggy thinks I'm using work as an excuse to hide
in here. I deny it, but.... Who wouldn't hide after meeting
an oh-so-gorgeous guy while looking her absolute worst?
Why does life always throw
me lemons?
Dori adjusted her grip on the grocery
bags as she turned the key in her lock and pushed the door
open.
"Hi there." The deep-voiced words caused
her to nearly drop her bags.
Instead, only a few items fell out.
"Drat!"
"Here, I'll get those." Sloan stepped
forward and picked up the produce rolling across the floor.
"Thanks." Dori backed into her apartment,
and he walked in.
Oh damn, it's him! Her wide
eyes scanned the room to ensure she hadn't left the place
in a mess.
"Nice place," he said, taking both bags
from her arms.
"It's just like yours. They're all the
same, really."
He smiled, and her insides melted. Get
a grip, Dori.
"Yeah, I guess so." He chuckled, a deep
rumble that she felt all the way to her toes. "But then yours
isn't decorated with ugly brown boxes marked kitchen, bedroom,
and bath."
She laughed nervously.
"So where do you want these?" He was
still standing by the door holding her groceries.
"Oh! In here on the table." She scrambled
ahead of him and into the kitchen. The guy wasn't interested
in her. He was just being friendly, she told herself. But
that smile sure could make a girl dream. "Thanks."
"No problem." He set the sacks down.
"Hey, if you help me put this stuff
away, I can lend you a hand with those boxes," she blurted
out. Have I lost my mind? "...Uh, if you'd like.
I mean you don't have to...Just forget I asked."
"I could use some help." He eyed the
two bags. "But I think I'd be getting the better end of that
deal. You sure?"
"Sure, I'm sure," she lied. "I'm off
today. Why not help a new neighbor?"
"Okay. Sounds great. But when you see
the boxes in my living room, don't forget I warned you." He
started pulling out a loaf of bread, cartons, and canned goods.
It wasn't long before everything was put away. Almost.
"Here you go." He held out his hand.
She glanced down to see a bright yellow lemon. "If life throws
you lemons, make lemonade."
"What?" Her gaze shot up to meet his.
He tossed the lemon once, caught it,
took her hand and placed it in her palm. "It's just a saying
my mom always quoted. She loved making lemonade for us kids-said
a pitcher of ice-cold lemonade could teach us a lot about
life."
Dori stared at the lemon in her hand,
feeling the warmth from his touch all the way to her toes.
He gently lifted her chin with a finger
until her gaze met his. "It's important to stir things up
a bit..." His thumb swept gently across her bottom lip. "...and
to chill when things get hot."
Her temperature rose at his words and
the sensual twist her mind gave to their meaning. Hot. Yeah,
she felt hot all right. |
