by Alex Grayson
I never claimed to be a smart man.
I turn and follow her path, ignoring the annoyed murmurs that follow me, too intent on getting her eyes on me. In fact, a small smirk settles on my face as an idea begins to formulate, getting clearer with every step I take.
2
Skye
He thinks he’s so clever. I roll my eyes as I watch him in my periphery, stalking me around the store. As if I didn’t notice him as soon as he stepped out of that coffee shop and started following me like a creep.
I bite down on my lip to stifle a grin. He’s a hot creep though, so I’ll probably forgive him.
I continue strolling around the store and can’t control my sigh of relief when I spot the Valentine’s Day decorations up ahead. I don’t know why I agreed to help throw this party. My only defense is that Cassidy, my best friend, is annoyingly persistent, so the idea that my assistance was actually optional is laughable. She’s lucky I love her.
Speaking of, I glance over my shoulder to see what he’s up to now, only to find he’s disappeared.
I try to tamp down the flicker of disappointment, but I can’t deny after our date got cut short last night, I was excited to see him here.
Checking my watch, I quickly remember why I’m here and turn back to my shopping. Only to startle when a warm breath ghosts across my cheek.
“Hello.”
I peek up and come face to face with a smirk that, frankly, could do with being kissed right off his gorgeous face.
“Hi,” I return, slightly breathless. Annoyingly breathless.
He’s leaning against the counter that holds an assortment of heart-shaped decorations, his arms crossed over his broad chest and he’s wearing an expression that is ridiculously confident.
I take a moment to let my gaze travel down the length of him. His heather gray t-shirt stretches over his shoulders and is slightly worn, the faded jeans that encase his strong legs look as though they have seen better days and, if I’m not mistaken, there is the start of a hole near the big toe of his black Converse. Overall, combined with the day-old stubble and windswept dark hair, the entire package is a slightly rumpled mess.
One that I would like to mess up a little more if given the opportunity.
I turn and mirror his position, folding my arms across my chest, just below my breasts so they’re pushed up a little more, taking satisfaction in the way his eyes stray to them. I quirk a brow at him, waiting to see how he’s going to play this.
He clears his throat, dragging his attention away from my boobs and grins at me. “I’m Ben.”
I narrow my eyes at him, wondering for a brief moment if he has sustained a head injury since the last time I saw him. I’m about to ask him just this when he cuts me off.
“I can see that you’re really busy, but I was wondering if you could add me to your to-do list?”
His eyes glint with humor and my jaw drops slightly.
“What are—”
“I’m new to the area, so I was wondering if you could give me directions to your apartment?”
I just stare at him, confusion written all over my face and he holds up a placating hand.
“I can see you’re a bit unsure, what if I told you my lips are like Skittles? You wanna taste the rainbow?” He waggles his eyebrows at me suggestively and it finally clicks into place.
“Are you—Are you trying to pick me up?” I hiss, looking over my shoulder. “In a dollar store?”
He shrugs his shoulders innocently. “All I know is that I saw you. and I thought to myself, I’m no photographer, but I can picture us together.”
A moment of silence hangs between us, and I wonder if he has always been this ridiculous, but, of course I know the answer already.
Well, if he wants to play, I’m more than happy to beat him at his own game.
“Sorry, baby cakes, you’ll have to do better than that.” And, with a flip of my hair, I turn and walk out of the shop, knowing his eyes are glued to my ass and feeling pretty damn good about it.
3
Ben
Her ass sways as she walks away.
Walks. Away.
A damn-near growl vibrates low in my chest when I realize I’ve stood here like a dick and just watched her go.
Coming to my senses when I notice a teenage boy grinning at me across the aisle, I rush past him to the exit, but when I look out into the crowd, she’s nowhere to be seen.
Pulling out my phone, I quickly type out a message to her, promising retribution for taking off. My cock twitches at the thought of her punishment, but an old lady rushing by who smells strongly of cigarette smoke and onions puts a swift end to that.
Sighing, I step back out into the bustling crowd, only to notice a display of giant teddy bears holding big red hearts is just up ahead to my right and I turn in that direction.
I scan the signs and grimace when I see that the bears are fifty dollars, but I know the reaction they’ll get so I reluctantly grab two and make my way to the cash register. They’re being rung up when my phone goes off and I snatch it up out of my pocket, not even trying to control the grin on my face.
Skye: Promises, promises, Benjamin.