by Marie Tuhart
“Dani, glad you could make it.” A dark-haired man hugged Dani with a smile.
“Hey, Damon. I didn’t want to miss it. This is my friend, Allyson.”
“Well, hello there.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “Aren’t you a delicious morsel.”
Allyson frowned.
“Damon, behave.” A woman with light brown hair joined them. Her voice held laughter as she slapped him on the arm. “Excuse him. He’s a flirt. Hi, I’m Tessa.” She held out her hand.
Damon let out a sigh and released Allyson’s hand.
“Allyson, Dani’s friend.”
“Well, any friend of Dani’s is one of ours. Please feel free to look around. There is finger food and drinks are over there.” Tessa pointed to where a group of people milled around.
“Thanks, Tessa.” Dani took her by the arm and led her away from the couple.
“So he owns the place?” Allyson asked.
“Yes. Tessa’s his girlfriend. I don’t think they’ve gotten engaged yet.”
“So why was he flirting with me?” She frowned. That wasn’t very nice of Damon.
“That’s just Damon. Trust me, he wouldn’t do a thing to hurt Tessa.”
“Hummm.”
“Allyson.”
She turned at the sound of her name.
“Hi, Zeke.” What was he doing there? He looked delicious in those jeans and a tight black T-shirt.
“Hey, Zeke,” Dani said.
“Dani.” His gaze went from Dani to Allyson. “You two friends?”
“Yes.” Dani said. “Oh I see Lara. I wanted to chat with her.” Dani left, and Allyson looked up at Zeke.
“I understand you did the remodel?” she asked, trying to stay calm. Dani just walked away without a second thought.
“Yep. I did.” He grinned. “I’m sorry you weren’t assigned the job. Your co-worker can be a pain.”
Allyson grimaced. “I want to say I’m sorry, but I really don’t have control over him.” Why Rudy made such snide remarks about this place she didn’t know. It looked like typical bookstore to her.
“I know. Shall we?” He held out his arm.
Manners. She’d almost forgotten men had them. “Thank you.” She slipped her arm through his. It was nice to be treated like a woman instead of another guy. Yes, she worked with a lot of men, and they did forget she was female.
“Do you want something to eat or drink? Or would you rather have a tour of the bookstore?”
“Are you playing guide?” She fluttered her lashes at him, wondering where this vixen inside her had come from. Hadn’t she just convinced herself this wouldn’t go well?
Zeke laughed. “I’m offering my services, yes.” He leaned down. “More than just a tour guide, if you’re interested.”
Allyson started to pull back to berate him, but stopped herself. She wanted to know more about Zeke. “Let’s see how today goes, and we’ll go from there.”
“I can agree to that. At least you’re not running.”
“When did I run?” Had she done that to him?
“That wasn’t the right word. Usually, you brush off my attempts to get to know you better.”
“Sorry.” She lowered her gaze. “I’d just come off a pretty bad break up.” The jackass ex had thought he could order her around in the bedroom and out of it. He got a rude awakening.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. He was an ass.” She glanced at the first bookshelf. Oh my. Alternative lifestyles. Her heart pounded.
“Well then, he didn’t deserve you.” He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. “Damon’s bookstore is as tasteful as the adult store is.”
“Oh, I’ve never been inside an adult store.” In a way, that was funny. She’d dabbled in kink but had never gone into an adult store.
“I’d love to educate you, if you’re willing.”
“I might take you up on that, Mr. Riggs.”
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