Page 1 of Worthy

Prologue

Iknow every storefront, every window, even every crack on the sidewalk in this town, which is why I know there's no good reason for me to crash into a wall walking down Main Street.

A piney scented wall.

One that makes a rather suspect “mmph” noise for an inanimate object.

And… is that…My nostrils flare.Citrus?

Whipping my head around, I catch sight of an object flailing toward the earth. Before my brain can catch up to what I’m about to do, my arms shoot out. My hands grasp solid muscle, dragging the sweet scent closer.

My roadblock is roughly my size, but I’m able to stop his momentum enough that he just sort of sinks to the ground. Another noise escapes his lips, only this time it’s more of a little “oomph” as he goes down.

I stifle a laugh. In my defense, it was growly and kind of cute.

The bags he’s carrying crash to the sidewalk, produce spilling everywhere. I cast a quick look in my cousin Deacon’s direction, and he nods, acknowledging that he’ll escort the ladies we were just entertaining to the bar while I help clean up the mess.

“Sorry, I didn’t see you there.” I scramble to pick up the groceries and put them back in their bags.

“Yeah, I got that much.” His words drip sarcasm, though his voice is almost amused. Not cynical.

“You okay?”

“No damage.” He rubs one of his arms, right where I’d been gripping it.

“What about your groceries? I’ll replace anything that’s ruined.” I chase an apple down before it hits the street, hoping the offer will absolve me of my carelessness. I’m a lot of things, but asshole isn’t one of them.

“Everything seems fine.” His dexterous fingers dust off his pants as he twists to make sure he’s clean.

“Okay, good.” I finish collecting the spilled items and hold the bag out, getting my first real look at the man I plowed into. And damn if he doesn’t plow me right back. Dark blonde hair hanging in loose waves to his shoulders. Stormy gray eyes framed by long lashes. A day’s worth of stubble on a chiseled jaw. And full, pink lips, still plump even though they’re pursed, studying me.

Damn. I’ve seen a lot of gorgeous people come through my little tourist town deep in the Colorado mountains, but none of them compare to the one staring back at me, who’s downright captivating. The fact this one is a man is a little surprising, though. I’ve only recently caught myself looking at men, and hadn’t yet concluded if that meant my tastes are changing—not that I care if they are. If my dick is curious, I’m not going to let gender stand in the way, and it’s definitely curious about this guy.

He’s my height, his build slightly broader than my lean frame, though I wouldn’t go so far as to say bulky or stout. Just…solid.Perfect. Exactly the right size to hold his own in bed, maybe even take charge.

My mouth waters at the thought. I’ve always wondered what that would be like, and thanks to the man in front of me, I’m infinitely more curious.

“You can catch up to your harem, I’m fine.” He takes the bag from me. Again, the words are saucy, yet the voice doesn’t hold any anger.

“Funny.” I look him over, cataloguing the firm chest and trim waist his t-shirt doesn’t exactly hide. “I’ll have to tell my cousin. He’d get a kick out of that.”

“Why? Is it his harem?” He cocks his head, his curious expression so sincere it’s adorable.

I bark out a laugh. “Bachelorette party. Close enough.”

“Ah, I see how I could make that mistake. Well, enjoy.” He adjusts his grip on the bag and turns to leave.

“You’re new here.” I gamble this stranger isn’t just passing through, like most new faces I see.

“What makes you say that?” A little crease appears between his brows as he halts his retreat.

Yep, not a vacationer. Only a new person would want to know how I can tell the difference.

“I haven’t seen you before.” I lean against the side of the building.

“You know everyone in this town?” Those gray eyes bore into mine.

I give him my sexiest grin. “Yes, actually.”

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