Page 2 of Smoke and Mirrors

He looks up just before he reaches me, his blue eyes freezing my body as if they’re made of ice. A line of sweat runs across his brow, and his jaw looks like it’s clenched tightly. He brushes past me without a word, his heavy boots stomping against the wooden floors until he reaches his doorway next to mine. He opens it quickly, then slams it behind him, the loud bang jolting me from my stunned daze.

Shaking my body, I turn and rush back inside my apartment and close the door. I lean against it, trying to control my breathing. The sound of the news fills the room, the reporter rattling on about an explosion, a bomb, possibly terrorists, while a video of a building not far from me bursts into flames.

“Terrorists,” I whisper. My knees begin to shake as I slowly slip down the door to the floor. “Oh my hell.”

I hear a raised voice through the wall, and my eyes shoot up. I stare as if I can see through it, wanting to know just what he’s doing in there.

Is he scared like I am?

I snort. No way.

I may not know him well, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from the few times I’ve seen him around, he won’t be scared.

I’m flustered just thinking about him—sexy, strong, so many muscles. The way his short brown hair spikes on his head screams at me to run my fingers through it. At first, I’ve kept my distance, knowing that he doesn’t seem like a man that I want to screw with. His blue eyes always seem so intense, and the way he holds himself is with strength and power. In the month he’s been here, and the few times I’ve seen him, I’m drawn to him. There’s something about him, a presence, a pull. I don’t know what it is, but I want to know more. It’s almost an infatuation. If he’s in the hall, and I see him, I can’t look away.

Then, one day downstairs, I saw him carrying an older resident’s groceries to her apartment, and when she thanked him and patted his arm, he smiled.

And holy hell was it a smile—beautiful straight teeth and a dimple on his left cheek.

I felt a strange feeling of excitement build in my stomach as I’d imagined it.

Since then, I wasn’t scared.

I was intrigued.

I wanted to know who he was, what he did, where he was from.

Everything about him built questions in my mind, but every time I saw him, I froze.

Who is he?

I had no idea, but I’m desperate to find out.

Chapter One

LILY

“And what’s your name, little man?” I ask the most adorable black and white Border Collie puppy as I poke my fingers through his cage. He jumps up and down in the small space and licks my hand, making me giggle. I pull his chart from the slot below his cage and read over the information. “Peter…” I laugh, “… not quite the name I was expecting, but we’ll go with it.”

Tucking the clipboard under my arm, I make quick work of unlatching the door, pulling it open just in time to catch the little guy as he leaps at me from inside. His tongue tickles my face, slobber everywhere.

“Woah there, buddy. This is a first date, none of that,” I tell him, tucking him into my body and carrying him down the hallway to my examination room. “Looks like just a check-up today.”

Peter had come from one of our reputable breeders in the city. While some dog breeders didn’t care for their dogs properly and treated them like dollar signs, our vet clinic was connected with some amazing breeders from all around the state. They always bring their puppies in for health checks before they’re adopted out—a great peace of mind for prospective owners and just simply a caring heart.

Placing Peter on the table, I begin my exam. “All right, Petey boy, let’s see those ears,” I tell him cheerfully. Checking out his ears, I have a good look inside, moving next to his eyes, verifying there’s no discharge or anything suspicious.

“Don’t bite me now,” I jest as I use my fingers to pry open his mouth. He tries to wiggle away from me, whining softly as I take a quick peek inside at his teeth and the top of his mouth. I quickly let go, pulling his back toward me, making sure I give him a pat and some gentle praise.

I make quick work of the rest of his check-up, or at least I try as he wiggles around on the table, happy and excited, just like a puppy should be. This also tells me that the breeders have once again done a fantastic job at raising these little guys.

“Time for a cuddle!” I beam, signing off on my notes, giving Peter a clean bill of health.

I pull him into my arms and cuddle and coo over him as we walk back to his cage. “You’re so excited, little man.” I laugh as he wiggles in my arms, trying to reach my face with his tongue.

Suddenly, I feel warmth against my stomach and freeze.

Peter seems to freeze too upon noticing my frown.

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