I collide with and immediately bounce off something huge and hard. My arms flail as I start to topple backward. I’m saved by a pair of strong hands that halt me before I land on my butt. I’m barely able to process that I’m upright before the hands are gone. 

Blinking in confusion, I slowly look up and take in a man who is easily a foot taller than my five foot one frame. He’s like an angel in black—tall and broad shouldered with large hands and rugged arms. His black t-shirt does nothing to hide his six-pack abs, and the black jeans and black work boots he’s got on only make him more roguishly appealing. Everything about him is sexy including his sporty, masculine scent. I’ve never come across someone so mesmerizing in all of my life. His longish dark hair, closely trimmed beard and sensual lips are straight up panty-melters, so I bet women throw themselves at him on the regular. The very thought of this bothers me far more than is reasonable or appropriate.

 My heart slams against my chest as my eyes meet his. Something strange passes between us, something I can’t put name to. I’m at a loss because I haven’t experienced anything remotely similar before. I feel my cheeks flush with color as I stare up at him. Biting my lip nervously, I blink up at him like an idiot as I try to force words out of my mouth. Questions are zinging through my head at high speed—things like who are youor where did you come from and finally, holy shit, has this kind of thing ever happened to you before? 

Before I can articulate even one of those things he blinks and the moment is over. I cringe when I realize whatever was in his eyes is gone, almost as if it never happened at all. Now, he’s pinning me with a look that could permanently freeze the tropics. Even still, his eyes make me weak in the knees, regardless of the fact that they’re now subarctic. Jet black lashes frame the most beautiful deep blue eyes I’ve ever seen, and right now they’re transmitting one message loud and clear—stay the hell back. I’ve never come across anyone less inviting in all my life.

“I—I’m sorry,” I sputter. “I didn’t mean—” 

His sensual lips form a flat line as he sidesteps me. “Pay attention to where you’re going,” he snaps.