Page 1 of Sophia, Property of Tracker

SOPHIA

Past

Sitting down with my cup of coffee at Falls Café, my hand reaches for my laptop, and I take it out and begin looking at my notes for my next project. Mr. Swan from Swan’s Auto Electrical asked if I could work on his branding. He wants something fresh and new.

Unfortunately, though, this town of Vixen Falls needs an upgrade. The buildings require a lick of paint, some of the signs on the shops could do with fixing, and the sidewalks urgently need a good upgrade. But the truth is, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. It’s still the best town anyone can call home. The people are friendly and always there to lend a hand, which is why I stayed here when I finished my degree in graphic design.

Sure, I could have gone to one of the best colleges in New York or found an internship like my friend, Chloe, but it’s not what I wanted. I love living here, and there’s no other place I’d rather be.

Lifting my eyes as the sound of the door chimes, I take a second to take in the stranger who’s entering Falls Café. Instantly, I know he’s not from around here because, believe me, if he were, there’s no way in hell I wouldn’t know his name.

Dark, tall, mocha skin with a roughness about him screams bad boy. My eyes travel the length of his body as he walks through the café. Passing me, he leaves a trail of sandalwood and something citrus in his wake. My stomach does somersaults, and my fingers still on the keyboard as I continue to take him in. Light denim jeans accentuate his tight ass and lay low on his hips. A black leather jacket and black boots add to his sex appeal.

Watching him closely, he stares at the menu board behind the register and pulls something out of his jean pocket. Gabbi, the café owner’s daughter, blushes when she looks up at the stranger, and I can only imagine what’s running through her head. Most likely the same as what’s running through mine.Who is this hot as fuck man?

Not able to pull my eyes away, I focus on him. He’s showing something to Gabbi, and it looks like a photograph from where I’m sitting. With a smile and red cheeks, Gabbi shakes her head and then asks him something. He drops his eyes to the counter, and I wonder what has brought this man to Vixen Falls. Something Gabbi says forces him to look back up at her. He glances above at the menu then shakes his head.

The stranger then turns around, and when he does, our eyes lock. Emerald green eyes look back at my blue ones—his stand out against his mocha-colored skin, causing me to remind myself to breathe.He is breathtaking.Slightly wavy dark hair that looks like the wind has been running through it gives off that messy effect, but God does it suit him. His full luscious lips lift into a smile, and I swallow, feeling like a golf ball is stuck in my throat. A million thoughts run rampant through my mind as I return the smile.

One of them is clear.So how can I keep this sexy man from walking out the door?

I need to know who he is.

“Excuse me?” I find myself blurting out.

He stops, turns, and looks down at me. Then, frowning, he replies, “Yes?”

“I… I was wondering…”crap, this is harder than I thought,“… I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch with me?”

My heart beats wildly, and butterflies erupt in my stomach in anticipation of his reply.

“Sorry, sweetheart, thanks for the offer, but I need to get going.”

Feeling as though the wind had been knocked out of me and trying desperately not to show how disappointed I am, I give him a small smile, then spin back around and face my computer while mumbling, “No problem.” Tapping the keys on my keyboard and pretending to be super busy, I focus on the work at hand but notice I have no idea what I’m typing.Real smooth, Sophia.

“You know what?” I hear him say from behind me. “I’m starved. I could do with one of those BLTs.” The stranger walks over to my table and stands at the chair opposite me.

I smirk and shrug. “Please don’t do it on my account. If you need to go, then go. I just thought you looked tired and could do with a meal.”

Feeling a little embarrassed at my outburst, I begin to type again. If he thinks he’s going to have lunch with me because he feels sorry for me, then he can walk out that door right now. He may be sexy and gorgeous, but I don’t need a man feeling sorry for me.

A husky laugh sounds from his lips as he sits in the chair, folding his arms on the table. His hand comes out and pushes my laptop screen down, causing it to snap shut.

“Hey,” I state, annoyed. “Why did you do that?”

“Because I can’t see those beautiful blues with that thing in the way.”

Crap! There go my red cheeks.

He leans forward, and I take in his scruffy jaw, perfect nose, and high cheekbones.

“What’s your name?”

Sitting up in my chair, I answer him, “It’s Sophia. What’s yours?”

He smiles. “It’s Ryan.”

“Can I get you anything?”

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