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London Montgomery needed a hero right about now and not because she thought of herself as one of those damsels in distress types either. She could take care of herself... except when a very persistent, clueless guy couldn’t (or wouldn’t) take the hint that she wasn’t interested in him.
“I really appreciate the courage it took to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger, but I’m only here to relax,” she said, opting for the direct route. “Nothing personal, I promise. Just a long week, and I need to unwind.”
“Yeah, me, too. Anyway, let me buy you a drink... we can unwind together. What was your name again?” he asked. “Mine’s Tory.”
“I never gave it to you.” She scooted off the stool, smiling all the while. “Again, thanks so much the compliment, Tory, but no thank you.”
Tory’s smile faded. “Are you normally this much a bitch?”
What an asshole. “Are you normally this much of an—“
Suddenly, a man inserted himself between them. He was tall, dressed in a dark suit that had to have been custom made for him. His dark hair gleamed under the ambient lighting as blue on blue eyes flashed.
“Sweetheart, I’m sorry for making you wait.” He pressed a kiss to London’s cheek. She jolted, the contact sending a surge of delicious pleasure straight to her core.
That had never happened before, not from a simple kiss.
She blinked up at him, taking in his features—the high cheekbones, straight nose, and full, sensual lips. His shoulders were wide, blocking her view of Tory and hopefully, Tory’s view of her. “Don’t... let it happen again.”
Her hero turned, sliding a muscular arm around her waist, as they faced Tory. “Didn’t see you standing there. Anything I can help you with?” His tone sounded anything but helpful.
Tory’s face softened, his eyes widening as he started to sputter. “Nah. Sorry, I thought I knew your... date.” He all but shot out of the bar like a cat with its tail on fire.
London laughed, tipping up her chin to look at her rescuer. She wasn’t short, and she had on two-inch heels, but this man towered over her. “Thank you so much. I’m London by the way.”
“Sawyer.” He didn’t move his arm and she wasn’t inclined to suggest he stop touching her either. “I’d offer to buy you a drink, but you look more like the dinner type to me... or the type that needs to relax after a long week.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to send him on his way, but something—most likely her reaction to that kiss—made her say, “Actually, I’m starving,” instead.
His blue eyes gleamed, reminding her of a predator who’d just found his prey. Only, would a man on the hunt rescue a woman and then give her the option to leave? “Would you prefer I pick the place or...?”
“The menu here isn’t bad,” she said with a grin.
“It’s not great either.”
She shrugged. “There’s also a little bistro I like, but it’s not so fancy.”
He leaned in, the smell of his cologne combined with what had to simply be him more arousing than she thought possible. “Then it would suit me a lot better.”
“Yet you chose to come here tonight.”
“Maybe because fate knew I’d meet you.”
She laughed. “Is that a pick up line?”
His sensual mouth pushed into a smile. “Only if it works for you.”
“No it did not... but your honesty does.” She tilted her head to the side. “I’ll get an Uber unless fate has other plans.”
“How about I drive us there.” It wasn’t a request, but it wasn’t exactly an order either.
She tapped the side of her cheek, considering his offer before offering her own. “How about we walk?”
His brows crashed together. “It’s that close?”
She nodded. “Only two blocks up and then one over.”
He glanced at her black heels, then back at her face. “I might have to carry you.”
The thought of being lifted by him gave her a thrill. A delicious thrill that sent shivers up her spine. “I’m a big girl. I think I can handle it.”
“You’re a hell of a lot smaller than me.”
“You know what I mean.”
He frowned. “We’ll take an Uber.”
She eyed him. “I’m starting to think you’re bossier than my brother Drew.”
“Sounds like a smart man.”
“He’s smart all right but there are times he has the personality of a barracuda.”
“Lawyer?”
She shook her head. “CEO. Family business.”
“Any other siblings I remind you of?” he asked.
“My brother Connor has a reputation for being charming.”
He arched a brow. “Bossy and charming. Doesn’t sound like two things that go together.”
“Sometimes the oddest things fit together.”
“For example?”
“Laughing until you cry. Breakfast for dinner. Salty with sweet... shall I go on?”
“Hell yes, you should.”
She smiled, fully charmed by him. Honestly, she shouldn’t be because the last thing she needed in her life was another man who thought he knew what was best for her. Which was exactly why she should cut and run.
“I think I’ll go home now. Maybe we can have another fun discussion about opposites attracting another time.”
“You’re attracted to me.” It wasn’t a question.
She blushed, but she refused to let her embarrassment keep her quiet. “You’re good looking. Fun to talk to and you rescued me tonight. That’s a trifecta of qualities a man should have.”
“Any man?”
“Any man who is interested in getting to know me,” she clarified.
“I’m more than interested in getting to know you.” He moved his arm, pressing his hand against the small of her back. “Let’s take our discussion to your bistro.”
“I don’t know...” But she allowed him to lead her outside and into the crisp night air. Downtown Raleigh was vibrant at this time. People were everywhere—in clusters of groups as well as couples sitting outside of cafes while heat lamps kept them toasty warm. The streets were full of cars, buses, and bicycles. It was organized chaos, loud and vibrant and she loved it because it was so very different from the life she ordinarily led.
“Why do you think we’re opposites?” he asked.
“I don’t think we’re opposites exactly, at least not in terms of the things that matter.”
“As in traits you find attractive?”
“Yes.”
“What ones do you find attractive in me?”
She rolled her eyes. “Obviously not cockiness.”
“That’s a lie.” He chuckled. “Besides, I’m confident that you’re attracted to me. Cocky is the moron back in the bar who assumed you should be attracted to him because he exists.”
“All right. You’re confident.”
“What else?”
“Persistent.”
“Won’t apologize for that. It’s gotten me here, hasn’t it?”
She laughed, shaking her head. “You are so... I can’t disagree with you.”
“Good because I hate being the only one who knows I’m right.”
“You are too much.” She laughed even harder.
“Parts of me have been described that way,” he said with a wink. “Now, point us in the right direction and tell me more about what you like about me.”
“Not what I don’t like?”
“You haven’t known me long enough.”
“I think I’ve known you for just the right amount of time.” She pointed to the right. “The bistro is this way.”
“Still waiting.”
“Persistent for starters.” As one they turned, his hand still on her back as he kept her pace instead of forcing her to his. “Bravery, courtesy, honest... mindful.”
“What if those were merely a façade?” he asked, intriguing her even more.
“You are pretending to be those things in order to impress me?” she asked with a mock frown.
“That, and to get your number.”
“You are very hopeful.” And so very hot.
“Hope’s not a strategy for getting what you want. Drive is. Direction. Purpose. Hard work.”
“By your standards and assumption to be right—always right, I bet—my number is a foregone conclusion.”
He smirked at her. “It’s more likely than not that you’ll give it to me.”
“Unless I’m unimpressed with this sort of honesty.”
“But you’re not.” He stopped suddenly as a door was flung open, blocking it from hitting her and taking the brunt instead, grunting.
“Oh my gosh. Are you okay?” she asked as he held the door, smiling... or was it baring his teeth at the couple stumbling outside?
“Perfectly fine.” He exhaled. “Comes with the territory.”
“You think I’m a territory to be protected?”
“From harm, absolutely.”
“Any woman or me in particular?”
“You in particular.”
She lifted a brow, glancing at him.
“Fine. I’ll concede that I think all women should be protected. However, I stand by my original assertion because you have all of my attention at the moment.”
“Only the moment... that’s such a small amount of time.”
He turned them, cornering her against the brick wall, not quite in the alleyway. “A moment can last forever with the right person.”
“Sawyer Taggart, I swear you are the sweetest talking man.”
Smiling, he leaned down, kissing her so thoroughly that her foot popped up. “And you Ms. Montgomery will be the death of me.”
She smiled up at him. “Only if my family finds out.”
His smile gave way to a frown. “We have got to stop meeting like this.”
“Secretly?”
“Among other things.” He pulled her to him. “I did not enjoy restraining myself from beating the shit out of the man who called you a bitch.”
“Neither did I.” She trailed her fingers down the front of his shirt, her heart pounding as she made a decision that would change everything between them. “You know... I’m thinking room service would be an even better idea tonight.”
“What exactly are you saying?” He cupped the side of her face, his thumb rubbing lazily against her cheek. “I want you in my bed London, but I’ve made my intentions clear to everyone, and while I’ve respected your wishes, I draw the line at becoming your dirty, little rebellious secret.”
She bit the side of her lip, then said, “After this weekend, I’ll tell them everything.”
His eyes widened in surprise, but she didn’t miss the predatory gleam that still lived in his gaze when he looked at her. “You’re giving me the entire weekend with you?”
“Yes.”