Chapter One

Digging around in the purple leather bag I called a purse, I found my wallet at the bottom below my phone, two notebooks, some vanilla lotion, a Polly Pocket, a handful of granola bars, and a bunch of pens and crayons.

“Hot chocolate with caramel—and add a little cinnamon plea—”

I glanced over and up…way up…to see who owned that deep voice coming from the stratosphere who had ordered the same thing I did, almost at the exact same moment.

I zeroed in on the most incredible sea-green eyes shaded by long, black lashes, proving my theory that men get the lashes. After a moment of blatant gawking, I shook my head to release the magnetic hold.

“Uh, yes, we will be taking two hot chocolates with caramel and cinnamon,” said the smooth bass voice belonging to those delicious eyes.

“Comin’ right up, Sharp Shooter,” replied the college student behind the counter.

“No coffee, huh?” was all I could think to ask the extremely tall, extremely well-built man grinning down at me.

“No, I stay away from concentrated caffeine.” He crossed his arms and leaned back against the counter, tilting his head to the side to observe me better.

He stayed away from concentrated caffeine. I had no idea what that meant. I heard the words, but my mind was too caught up in the gorgeous specimen standing before me. A shot of energy warmed my cheeks. This was undoubtedly the most incredible physical being I had ever seen, and he was looking at me. I continued to stare back, not knowing what to say, but certainly enjoying the moment, until that annoying college student interrupted my view by handing me my hot chocolate.

“Here you go, miss, that will be four dollars and twenty-five cents please.”

“My treat.” Gorgeous Man’s low voice had come out of those lips that turned up at the corners, hip still against the counter, his eyes dancing with amusement.

“Oh no, you don’t need to pay for mine.” I pulled myself together, proud for uttering a complete and coherent sentence.

“I’m happy to do it, Ms. Frost.” He pushed his at least six-foot-ten frame away from the counter and winked at me, sending warm honey gliding through my body.

Oh, my goodness. He actually winked at me, and it wasn’t cheesy. It was absolutely hot. Then a warning light flashed in my mind. He knew my name.

I took a step back. “Umm…have we met?” Although intrigued, since my divorce, I was extra cautious where men were concerned.

“CBS 4 Denver, TV reporter Noelle Frost. Everyone in Colorado must know who you are by now.”

He had an adorable lopsided grin. I could get used to that. I relaxed a little. I had only worked for the station for a few of months, and it still surprised me when strangers recognized me.

“Someone pay me already,” said the guy behind the counter.

Oh, why didn’t Counter Boy stay out of it? I was enjoying this, maybe a little too much.

Green Eyes turned toward the fellow, gave him a twenty, and told him to keep the change.

I stood there longing for the warmth of his eyes to come back to me. Sheesh, I was acting like a teenager crushing on some good-looking guy. My grip on my hot chocolate increased. Stop it, Elle. Shake it off. Get a hold of yourself. Then it dawned on me. This guy seemed familiar, yet I knew if I’d ever met him before I would never have forgotten him. He turned his toned, long and lean body back toward me. My brain did a reboot and I realized who he was.

I managed to get another sentence out of my mouth. “Thanks, Mr. Trayce. I appreciate the hot chocolate.” I turned to leave, wishing all the while I could think of something clever or charming to say. “Oh, stop it, Elle. Just go.”

Mr. Trayce jumped back. “Stop what?”

Flustered and face flaming, I realized I had blurted that out loud. I gave him my best “I’m really not crazy” smile and choked out, “No, not you, I was talking to myself.” I maneuvered quickly out the door with as much dignity as I could muster. I tried to protect my body and my heart by wrapping my wool jacket tight around me against the blast of chilly Colorado wind.