Page 16 of To Catch A Rook

I turned to face forward, ignoring him for the remainder of my route. He kept pace, not interrupting my flow, but he ended up putting his headphones back in when I didn’t keep conversation.

When I was done, I stopped at my usual park bench by the duck pond across from my home. The condo building had been my first major investment after I received my grandmother’s inheritance. The true start of Hillary Lane Enterprises without my father’s gruesome shadow tainting its shine.

Lauchlan stepped up beside me to stretch his calves against the wooden platform.

“Christ, Blondie. You gave me a good go this morning, didn’t you?” He grimaced as he massaged his hamstrings with large, deft hands.

I continued my own stretches while throwing an unimpressed side-eye. “Don’t sign up for the race if you can’t take the heat.”

He laughed and the masculine, raspy sound settled into my insides with a warm glow. I liked that laugh.

“Are you a stalker, Lauchlan? Should I be worried?”

“Me?” He clutched his chest like my accusation wounded him.

I had a feeling it took a lot to wound this man.

“No, Blondie. Nothing to worry about, Mumsy’s place is just around the corner, and I’m a magnet to a beautiful woman. Can’t resist the attraction. No impulse control.”

Hmmm. Who was his mother? Not that I knew everyone in this neck of the woods, not by far, but to afford a place in this area meant she’d have the income to be running in certain social circles. Circles I would have been a part of over the years.

“Now that I know you’re here, we’ll have to make this a regular date, ay? I love a woman who can kick my arse.”

He winked and plopped himself down on the bench in front of me, stretching his arms above his head, and revealing a taut abdomen with a strawberry blond treasure trail of hair below his belly button.

Hotter than sin, indeed.

“I’ll bet you do.” I flipped my hair over my shoulder and pushed off from the bench, still discreetly assessing this man’s intrusion into my life.

I hadn’t looked him up yet—I had far more important things in my life to investigate than a randy Irishman, but I’d make the time soon. He was sex-on-a-stick, but sexy men were a dime a dozen in the world of the rich and the richer. I was more intrigued by his playful nature; it was a welcome reprieve for a man to joke with me.

Iwasintimidating; intentionally, most days. But sometimes, a woman just wanted a great laugh and a good fuck. Not necessarily in that order.

Unfortunately, this morning wasn’t the morning for it. I had a day full of meetings and then attending an important dinner with the Governor tonight. There was no room in my schedule for a delicious casual release with a sweaty almost-stranger.

“I have to go.” I released my ponytail and fluffed out my frizzing hair. Hot hands held me hostage by my biceps.

“Don’t go yet, Blondie.” His voice deepened an octave, and the request came on a gravelly murmur as the man stepped into my space. “I was hoping to have coffee with you.”

The enticing redhead reached his hand up to tuck an errant strand of sweaty hair behind my ear and his piercing gaze stared through me the moment I let him in.

Lauchlan was an attractive package, but his eyes were the true windows to his appeal. Pale, like the muted tone of sea-glass, they were the farthest thing from dull. They twinkled with a captivating promise of misbehavior, yet held a soft restraint; like nothing you could do would phase himordeter him.

I was drawn to him instantly. But today was not the day for personal indulgences.

I stepped away from his hold. “Do you have your phone?”

He pulled it out from his pocket and unlocked it, handing it to me with a playful smirk. I typed in a number on the Notes app, and handed it back to him.

“That’s Marty’s number—my assistant. Send him your contact information and I’ll reach out.”

“Is this for business or pleasure, Blondie? Should I make it clear that I want a date, not a meeting?”

His eyes danced as he teased me, and I couldn’t help the shadow of a smile on my own lips.

“Message received, Lucky.” I shot him a saucy wink before turning to the path that led to my building.

“I like my nickname, by the way!” he hollered after me as I retreated onto the tree-lined path.

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