Page 6 of Drew

“Wait! Alyssa!”

Ignoring how wonderful her name sounded coming from his lips, Alyssa hurried toward the door, bracing for the chilly wind, but his hand wrapped around her elbow, halting her attempt to flee. Turning, she looked up.

“Why don’t you join me?” He nodded to a couple of vacant seats near a low table.

Her gaze bounced from the table back to him. Oddity. Weirdo. Freak. Briefly, she squeezed her eyes shut, which only amplified his scent. The desire to paint struck her harder than it had in months. She needed to create.

“Sorry, I have to work.”

His gaze narrowed. “Where do you work? You’re new in town.”

The last part wasn’t a question. He seemed pretty damn sure of his statement. “I paint. I’m an artist.” She attempted to pull away from him, but without spilling her coffee, she couldn’t dislodge his grasp. His nearness made her dizzy. “I need to go.”

“I’d like to see you again.”

Danger. Danger! “Um, I have a gallery thing tomorrow.” Why was she telling him that? She shook her head. With more pride, she straightened and replied, “Tomorrow night, my work is being featured at Platinum Delight Art. I paint landscapes.”

Relaxing his hold, he freed her arm. His deep blue gaze searched hers. She wasn’t sure what exactly he was searching for. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

Her eyes widened. He didn’t look like an art connoisseur. Would he really attend, just to see her again?

Before she could respond, the barista called his name.

“Tomorrow, Alyssa,” he said before walking away.

Alyssa stared at his back for much longer than she ought to. Why did it sound like a sensual promise?

She’d longed to find a place to put down permanent roots in the past but never had she felt such a strong connection to a town as when she drove into Mount Woodridge. But she hadn’t been expecting to find someone like Drew. Now those hopes were dashed.

Present day…

Alyssa tapped the card against her palm as she watched Drew leave the gallery. He’d asked her out again. He was so different from the men she usually let near her—artsy types or nerdy next-door neighbors—the only men she’d allow close to her for a brief fling. Drew was different. All hard muscle and sex appeal, with a dangerous edge and a sense of charisma that left her wobbly. And his scent…

Inhaling, she could still smell it in the air. Earthy and real.

Saliva pooled in her mouth, and desire thrummed through her veins. Her body didn’t seem to care that getting involved with such an intense male was a bad idea. Yesterday she’d been such a dufus to think she could avoid him, but honestly, she hadn’t thought he’d come to the show tonight. She figured he’d have forgotten about her as soon as he left the shop, but he didn’t, and that could be a problem—a huge problem.

“Was that the Grill Master?” Zelda asked as she pressed a champagne flute into Alyssa’s hand.

“Grill Master?” Alyssa’s gaze darted from the exit where Drew had vanished only moments before to her new landlady.

With a flick of her wrist, Zelda flipped her long silver hair behind her shoulder. “Drew Masters. He owns the local BBQ and grill factory called Master’s Grilling, and each year he grills the best burgers, sausages, and hot dogs at the local walk-a-thon for the children’s hospital. Never thought I’d see him in my gallery, though.” She shot a coy grin in Alyssa’s direction. “Now, I wonder what he was here for.”

Alyssa tried to keep the blush from her cheeks and opted not to address that last comment. “He volunteers at the children’s hospital and runs a bird sanctuary?”

Zelda’s eyes widened. “He told you about Wildlings? My, my, isn’t that telling?”

“Telling? Telling what?” Alyssa glanced back toward the doorway.

“From what I’ve heard, Drew doesn’t date much, at least not local girls. He’s dated a few ladies who were passing through, and he always uses Wildlings to attract them. Not that the man needs anything more to attract the ladies. Women around here flock to that sanctuary to catch a peek at him. You’ve seen him, so you know what I mean.” She took a sip from her glass. “He and that VP of his, Callum, are pretty big attractions in this town.”

Alyssa tried to sift through all Zelda was saying. If he didn’t get attached to women, if he wasn’t interested in long-term commitments, maybe, just maybe, she could risk getting involved with him for a brief period. Brief was necessary and all she’d allow herself. She had no room for affection, not after the last time, and she certainly had no time in her life for complications. If past experiences had taught her anything, it was that friendship, relationship, or companionship of any kind weren’t meant for her to keep. She was better off alone.

But if Drew shared that sentiment, then perhaps she could indulge just this once.

Alyssa smiled at her newest acquaintance. “I can see why.”

“Now, he doesn’t actually volunteer at the hospital, but his company provides the means and the food for the event every year, and Drew himself is flipping the burgers. Has he asked you out yet?”

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