Page 3 of Audra: The Prequel

“Careful now. With all this white on white, Shazam is already probably going to have to do a lot of cleaning when this party’s over. Don’t give him any more work to do.”

He shot a confused look her way. “Did you say Shazam?”

“Yes, the guy who owns this place. His name is Shazam—or something, right?”

Damon ripped a sheet from the paper towel holder and sopped up the spilled drink. “Pretty sure his name’s not Shazam.”

“What is it then?”

“The Flash,” he answered. “Some people say Flash for short.”

She snapped her fingers. “I knew it was something like that. Fast, Mr. Rapido, something.”

“Mr. Rapido? Wow.” He continued to watch her with amusement. “You’re not much of a baseball fan, huh?”

“I’ve never seen a game,” she admitted.

“Interesting.” His eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was trying to figure her out. “Your comment a second ago, about the color scheme. Was that a critique?”

“Far be it from me to criticize anyone’s choices, but…” She looked around the kitchen and wrinkled her nose. “All the white everywhere and only black to break it up, makes the place seem kind of colorless and cold. But please don’t tell Shazam—I mean, The Flash what I said. It’s my opinion, and I’m sure he had his reasons for decorating the way he did.”

“I’m sure he did. Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.” With a twist of his fingers, he pretended to lock his mouth.

“Thank you.” Audra cleared her throat. “Okay, I’m going to find my friend now.”

“Sure. Nice meeting you, Audra.”

“Nice to meet you too, Damon.”

She walked out, knowing his eyes stayed on her the entire time. Being around Damon made her feel tense and awkward, asif she’d never spoken to a man before. Only once she was moving toward the middle of the room did she relax.

“There you are!” Claudia slipped an arm around her and drew her into a conversation with another woman.

Audra halfway listened to them, her mind elsewhere.

During the brief conversation with Damon, she had experienced more than awkwardness and tension. She experienced an emotion she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Excitement.

There was something magnetic about him. Even now, a flutter of awareness hovered low in her stomach.

And like she had suspected, he smelled amazing.

Chapter Two

Damon watched Audra nursing her soda while chatting with her friend across the room. He had to admit to being smitten from the moment he saw her talking to Jacob and her friend.

What was it about her? She was attractive, but he had his pick of attractive women.

She was petite with broad hips, full luscious breasts, and an ample behind prominently displayed in purple shorts. Coupled with her white top, the ensemble showed off the deep brown of her skin—a color akin to the deepest, darkest brown sugar. Her radiant smile, as she laughed at something her friend said, enveloped not only her pretty lips, but took over her entire face.

What fascinated him most of all was that Audra didn’t seem to be trying much. At least not as hard as some of the other women there. She didn’t seem to be trying at all, and the fact that she didn’t know who the hell he was intrigued him.

She glanced his way, her long thick hair swinging over one shoulder. Holding his breath, he was struck again by something electrifying. He smiled as his heart jerked out of control. She smiled back, letting her gaze drift away and back to her friend.

“Heyyyy, Flash.” A sexy woman with copper-toned skin sidled up to him.

“Hey…” He hesitated to say her name because he realized he wasn’t sure what her name was. Keisha? Tanisha?

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