Page 9 of Doughn't Let Me Go

I jump at the bite in his words and avert my gaze, even though he’s not actually looking at me.

“Sorry,” I mumble out of the corner of my mouth.

He sighs, then turns toward me.

The first thing I notice is his eyes.

They’re gray, and gorgeous—dangerously so.

“You’re still staring.”

I drop my eyes to his lips.

They’re just as dangerous.

Where the hell did this man come from?

“California.”

“Huh?”

“You asked where I came from. California.”

“Oh.” I sit up straighter, embarrassment flooding through me. “I didn’t realize I said that out loud.”

“You’re probably staring because you think I’m new around here, and you’re right.”

That’s not the reason at all, but I’m not about to tell him that.

“Yes,” I lie. “Sorry about that. It’s just when you’ve lived here so long, you get to know the faces.”

“Born here?” he asks, grabbing his beer and taking a sip, not once taking his eyes off me.

It’s unnerving to have him staring at me, but I try not to let it show.

I watch as he swallows, then runs his tongue across his lips.

Oh hell.

“No, transplant, but I’ve been around for a few years now, so I recognize people.”

“How long did it take for your newness to wear off?”

“Honestly? Not long. I’m not really a ‘draw attention’ kind of gal anyway, though.”

His eyes scan over me, and though I’m probably imagining it considering my state of dress, I could swear there’s a hint of interest in his gaze. “Somehow, I highly doubt that.”

I feel my body betraying me as I squirm in response to his attention, tucking my long midnight hair behind my ear.

I don’t miss the way he watches my every movement.

I’ve been out of the dating game for a while, having spent basically all my time focusing on school rather than chasing guys, but there is no misjudging the way he’s looking at me right now.

He’s interested.

“Anyone sitting next to you?”

“No.”

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