Chapter 3
HANNAH
“That’s not the best brand.” I hear someone say in a husky, amused voice. “Unless you’re giving it to someone you don’t like.”
Startled, I look up. The man almost right next to me is Dad’s height, six-four.
His hair is lazily ruffled: the brown tips haphazardly pushed, so they intertwine into beautiful chaos.
His dark-blue eyes are vibrant and direct.
His angular jaw emanates power and determination.
His face is designed to make a woman whimper with lust.
“If you have a low budget, I’d go with this,” he offers, using a deep, smooth voice that rumbles like thunder inside my chest.
“Really?” I ask mockingly, challenging him to give me a cheesy pick-up line.
He gives me a long, considering glance as I gasp, startled by him.
The guy’s presence takes over the entire store. He’s...breathtakingly sexy. His penetrating, dark gaze jolts my heart. He’s striking. So handsome, from the depth of his eyes to the tone of his low voice.
Stop, Hannah. Just walk away.
This guy is so yummy, how can I let this opportunity go? Broad shoulders, corded arms...and tattoos. Is he a bad boy in disguise?
The shirt he wears allows me to see the defined muscles underneath it.
If I could, I’d take him home for the night.
As his gaze sweeps over me, I know exactly what he’s thinking.
Underage college girl trying to use her fake ID.
It’s the casual clothes. The messy hair with rose gold stripes.
The purple glasses. My ‘I’m smart, savvy, and nerdy’ look is great for work but not to pick up guys.
Not that I’ve been doing much picking up lately. But maybe…I slide a curious glance. His eyes are still on me. Is he waiting for my next move? Should I say something?
“Are you a winemaker?” I fill the silence surrounding us because the crackling sound of the air encircling us is making my heart beat faster.
I don’t do fireworks, crackling sounds, or searing skin at a simple touch. That’s not my thing.
The guy laughs and takes a bottle of a fine merlot that I love.
Also, a bottle of my favorite cabernet. I stare at him, because why is a guy, like him, buying wine?
Don’t get me wrong, guys buy wine every day at any time for different reasons.
A date, meeting the parents, the wife asked him to pick up the wine before going back home. The options are endless.
But why is he here?
He’s not wearing a ring, so it’s not the wife. Maybe a live-in girlfriend? His smirk says everything, single. A player? My kind of guy for sure. I like to play but not today. Not with him.
“Do you like what you see?” he asks, in an arrogant voice that makes me want to punch him in the face, more like the gut, because it’d be easier to reach.
“Not really,” I lie.
“Remember me?” he asks, and I take a second to look at him. Do I know him?
“Oh, that's right. I've met you only in my dreams,” he answers.
“Save your lines,” I beg him, laughing. “They’re terrible.”
“Got a few more,” he offers. “They might be worse.”
“You couldn’t,” I challenge him.
The beyond perfect, sexy stranger gives me another glance and says, “Are you organic?”
I scrunch my nose and cross my arms. This is going to be even worse; I can just feel it.
“Because you’re a natural beauty.”
“If you were a salad, I'd order you without dressing.”
“Stop, I beg you. They’re terrible.” Shaking my head, I grab the cabernet he’s holding and walk to the register.
“How about a phone number?” He calls after me.
“What for?”
“We can go out on a date, drink some wine.”
“Is that what you do, pick up women at a liquor store?”
Taking out my phone, I make a few notes. This could be interesting for an article. This is a new one, his pick-up lines are terrible, though.
“Nah, but when serendipity strikes, you can’t let the opportunity slip out of your hands.”
Rafa gives me the total, so I hand over some cash and walk away.
“What about our moment?” the guy asks. “What if we’re meant to be more than two strangers choosing the same wine?”
“If we’re meant to be together, our paths will cross again,” I answer and walk away.
Poor guy, there’s no way we’re meant for anything. Lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place. I close my eyes briefly before walking to my apartment.
Will the hole ever shrink?