“His face is transformed from gorgeous into just plain breathtaking.”

“Holy furry crap balls! He’s gorgeous!”

“Well, first of all she’s gorgeous and—”“You’re gorgeous,” he says softly.My stomach flips over, but I continue. “And she flirts very openly with you.”“I wish you would flirt very openly with me.”

“Is that what this is about? You think I'm sleeping with Taryn?""Of course I do! I'm sure it's no secret !""Why do you say that?""Well, first of all she's gorgeous and--""You're gorgeous.""And she flirts very openly with you.""I wish you'd flirt very openly with me.”

“I stop dead in my tracks when I see Nash leaning against the wall right outside the ladies’ room. His legs are crossed casually at the ankle, as his arms are crossed casually over his chest. His smile is faint. And sad.Finally, he straightens and steps toward me. He doesn’t stop until he is mere inches from me, forcing me to tilt my face up just to maintain eye contact.He brushes his thumb over the ridge of my cheekbone at the corner of my eye. I wonder briefly if I missed a streak of mascara.“I’m so sorry,” he whispers, closing his eyes as if in pain. His face is etched with regret and it tugs at my heart.“Don’t be. You can’t control other people. I just hope I haven’t embarrassed you too badly, or ruined any important business connections you were hoping to make.”“I don’t care about business connections. Not at this cost.”

“She really is breathtaking, even first thing in the morning.Before I even realize what I’m doing, I rub my fingertips down her smooth cheek. Her eyelids flutter shut, making me want to kiss them.”

“I’m face to face with Nash. His dark-chocolate eyes are full of concern and he smells lightly of expensive cologne, something musky. Dark. Sexy.”