Page 18 of The Arrogant's Redemption

"East coast," I answer vaguely. "Now, if you’ll excuse me . . .”

"Still, you shouldn’t be out here alone this early."

I let out an exasperated breath. "And why not, exactly?"

"You’re beautiful and very young. Even small towns have crime."

And I just stay there, like an idiot, stuck on the part where he said I’m beautiful.

I look away so I don’t come off like some starstruck country girl. "Thank you, sir . . .”

"Jasper," he says. I test the name in my mind. I’ve never met anyone with that name before. I hop down from the boat and take a few steps toward him.

Now that we’re about half a meter apart, I realize how tall he is. I’m not short—I’m five-foot-nine—but he has to be at least six-foot-three.

"I’m Alexis," I say, offering my hand—a gesture I never make. I’m not one to start friendships, but I like the way this bossy stranger makes my heart race. "I’ve never seen you around here. Did you recently buy a house in Cape Cod?"

Great. I want to slap myself. Could I be more cliché?

“So, Jasper, do you come here often?”Might as well say it in a sultry tone while I’m at it.

In my defense, I don’t know how to flirt. I’ve had zero training in seduction.

He doesn’t say anything. He just looks at my outstretched hand for a moment, then lets his gaze travel down my entire body again, slow, unhurried, until it reaches my face. A look like that should be illegal. I can hear my pulse in my ears.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

My heart feels like the crowd during a Super Bowl halftime show, while I wait to see what he’ll do next.

Seconds go by, and I silently beg some higher power to give me a clue as to how to start an intelligent conversation, but no one has the chance to answer because he finally says, without shaking my hand, "Take care, Alexis. Don’t become a statistic."

Jasper turns and walks away without another word, leaving me standing there, mouth open.

Lazarus

CHAPTER ELEVEN

"Didyou go to that restaurant I told you about? I swear you’ve never had better seafood," Morrison says on the phone.

"Are you high? It’s nine in the morning."

"I know, asshole. I meant last night, when you arrived."

"Stop acting like a mother. It doesn’t suit you. Besides, I already have one who gives me enough grief."

"I’m as maternal, paternal, parental—whatever the fuck you wanna call it—as a cactus. You know that. But you’re like a brother to me, you bastard. I’m worried."

"Why?"

"You never take time off."

"Wrong. This break’s been planned for a while."

"With Jodie?"

"And why the hell would I do that?"

"Because she was still supposed to be your fiancéeright now? That’s what couples do."

---