Page 10 of Love Without Demands

Lehra was probably five seven, with long legs and curves in all the right places. She was dressed for work in a fashionable black-and-white dress that showed a hint of cleavage. I had to force myself not to stare at the tits that were just big enough to almost fill my large hands.

Working my way down, I found shapely legs, slender ankles, and flats on her feet, though I could see a pair of heels sticking up out of the white bag she had slung over one shoulder. She’d probably change into her work shoes once we arrived.

Which we never will if I don’t stop staring and start doing my fucking job, my brain reminded me.

“That’s not the worst thing that’s ever been said about me,” I assured her as I reached for her suitcase. “You just keep on saying whatever pops into your head.”I want to hear it all.

Lehra’s lips curved up, and my heartbeat seemed to swell until it was thumping my entire torso. I really liked her smile. She had the slightest of overbites, which caused her perfectly straight white teeth to rest against her lower lip. Undeniably sexy.

I was staring again, and I really needed to get my shit together here. I’d never been struck like this by a woman. I had seen my share of beautiful ladies, but no one had ever made me want to drop immediately to my knees and beg her for a date.

Yanking my eyes away, I took her suitcase and placed it in the trunk before going back to her.

“Let’s get you to work, Miss Lehra,” I said, reaching for the back door, but she stopped me with a hand on my arm. A beam of pure energy traveled up my arm and set off a round of fireworks in my brain. Our eyes met, and Lehra’s mouth dropped open like she’d felt it too and was just as surprised as I was.

“I, um, do you mind if I ride up front? Or would that be uncomfortable for you?”

“Not at all,” I assured her, trying to temper my tone so I didn’t sound like a giddy schoolboy as I opened the front door for her.Could she be interested in me? Does she feel this pull I’m feeling?

As she slid gracefully into the seat, I caught a glimpse of creamy thigh before she adjusted her dress.That little spot would look stunning coated in my saliva as I work my way up to…

Cutting off that thought, I rounded the car and dropped into the driver’s seat, the interior now filled with the scent of Lehra.A pretty name for such a pretty woman.

“I don’t remember seeing you when I was given a tour of the building a few months ago,” I told her.I would definitely have remembered you.

“Was it September?” she asked, and when I nodded, her face scrunched up. “That’s probably when I was out with the stomach flu. Oh my god, it was the grossest thing ever. Have you ever puked so hard the vomit came out your nose?”

“I have,” I assured her with a smile. “Worst thing ever.”

“All I could smell was puke, even three days later. I was so self-conscious it was me and took, like, five showers a day, but I think it was seared into my nostrils. I finally had to get one of those Neti Pots and clean out my sinuses.”

My chest shook with laughter. “I’m so sorry you were sick, but that’s hilarious.”

“I know. Sorry I got gross there for a second. I’ll change the subject,” she said as I pulled away from the curb. “How’s your first full day been?”

“Good. Still getting accustomed to the New York traffic.”

“Oh, are you new in town?”

“I am. I moved here from Galveston a few months ago, though I’ve been in the military since I was eighteen, so I’ve lived in a lot of places.”

“That’s exciting,” she said, and from the corner of my eye, I could see her blonde curls flowing over one shoulder as she tilted her head. “I moved here a few years ago from Missouri. That’s the only other place I’ve lived.”

“I spent some time there during SRT training. It’s a beautiful state.”

“It is. What’s SRT?”

“Special Reaction Team. It’s kind of the Marine Corps’ version of a SWAT unit.”

“Wow, Cruz. I didn’t realize I was in the car with a bona fide badass,” she chirped. Lehra really had the perfect voice.Very feminine, but she wasn’t one of those girls who practically whispered everything she said in an effort to sound sexy. I hated the whispery chicks.

“Well, now you know,” I teased, making my way out of the airport. “What brought you here from Missouri?”

“I had my heart set on being a model, but I was told by everyone that I was too short. Especially for runway work. You have to be at least five ten for that.”

“Well, I think they were ridiculous for turning you down. You’re very beautiful.” The words came out before I could stop them, but it was absolutely true. Even with my eyes firmly on the road, I could see the prettiest flush of color stain her cheeks.

“Thanks, Cruz. When I interviewed at Bouvier, they were looking for a receptionist and offered me the job.” She twisted a little in her seat. “What made you get out of the military? Did you get injured?”

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