My Summer in London (My Summer #1)(5)

His grin grew wide before lightly tapping his chest. “You’re safe with me.”

Our conversation came to a screeching halt when someone appeared by my side and intruded. “Harvey,” the man uttered in a commanding tone.

Harvey made some mumbling excuse about needing to light a fag and left me to my own devices.

Confused at the sudden way Harvey left, I looked up from the booth that I was sitting in to find the stunner himself.

“I’m surprised to find you alone,” he drawled in a husky tone. “Why has my brother abandoned you, pray tell?”

I wasn’t necessarily alone up until he got here and shooed poor Harvey away. Was Harvey scared of him or something? Because the poor guy just scampered as if he didn’t want to get bitten with venom.

My tongue got caught somehow. I was taken aback at seeing him again. No man could hold a candle next to him because, in my eyes, he was flawless.

My silence apparently was taken as an invitation for him to gesture for me to scoot over and make room for him, and of course, I obliged. I was flattered he didn’t take the opposite side, wanting to sit close to me. I knew I shouldn’t think much of it, because heck, it was really nothing. However, I couldn’t help it. My body and mind were both going berserk from the absolute thrill of being this close to him.

Stirring my drink with the tiny, black straw, I tried to hide my reddening cheeks by not looking directly at him. Certainly, there was little space between us, but I was dying inside. I had never reacted like this with any man, not until Cruz Elliot had come into my life. I felt as though lightning had struck me. I could feel him from head to foot and everything in between.

“You can tell me, Serena. I don’t bite,” he teased in a low, whiskey-hoarse whisper that sent me into a tailspin of excitement.

Jesus Christ. He had said my name, and I loved the way it sounded from his lips. Why was it that, every time he spoke, my mind never failed to conjure up sexual images? It was as if my mind was inclined to particular things. I had never been the horny kind, but I was beginning to think otherwise.

“Archer had to take care of something. I really don’t mind being alone.” I finally found my voice, though not the courage to look directly into those metallic eyes.

He was electrifying me without touching me. It was crazy to feel like this with someone I had met less than twenty-four hours ago.

Clearing my throat, I pretended to look around as I asked him a question. “Where were you earlier tonight if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I had to be somewhere …” He trailed off, sounding distracted.

“Oh, okay. It must’ve been really important, then.” My light comment didn’t seem to rouse any response from him, so I decided to keep my mouth shut.

As the silence stretched, the music in the background that I hadn’t really noticed before seemed much louder.

“I should take you home,” he suggested, breaking the awkwardness that seemed to grow more daunting as the time ticked away. “My mother would be appalled if we didn’t take care of you.”

What time is it? I thought as I glanced towards my old cell phone to check the time. It was barely thirty minutes before midnight, and I wasn’t in a rush to go back yet. I didn’t know why, though maybe it was because this was my first time out in a new city, and I wanted to get to know it more. The vibe and ambiance was so different from what I was used to. I was intrigued by it, sans the bitchiness of a few women.

“I’m fine. It’s still early,” I argued softly, not wanting to come off as rude. Besides, I wasn’t a child, so there was no need to treat me as one.

“All right. That’s fine by me,” he conceded. “How about I take you for some coffee to sober you up a little?” he suggested, making me glance at him.

“Coffee?” I asked, smiling broadly. “Geez, aren’t you a downer?”

There was no question that Cruz was the serious type compared to his brother. How old is he, anyway? I wondered as I gazed into his eyes, making me inwardly sigh.

“Yes, Miss Coffee Snob,” he quipped back, matching my grin. “I’m much better company than this spoiled lot.”

The smile he gave me was highway robbery. Staring at him, I let my eyes roam his gorgeously chiseled face in pure, unparalleled admiration. How could any man be allowed to be that good-looking?

“Well, you certainly are the best looking one here, hands down.” I wasn’t one to say compliments to any man, but with the alcohol hazing my mouth filter, there was no stopping it from being blurted out.

He made a face, as if he couldn’t believe what he had just heard before he gave a throaty, deep-bellied laugh. “My dear Serena …” he finally said after his laughing hysterics began to calm down.

I tried to brush his endearment off as if it didn’t make me feel like I was floating on clouds. Instead, I brazenly challenged him further.

“Come on, don’t pretend like you’re not used to the attention. You’re the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen … to date.”

“To date?” he huffed as his face broke out into another toe-curling smile. “My, how you instantly shatter a man’s ego just as quickly as you inflate it.”

“A man with deflated ego, how are we going to fix that?” Raising my brow at him, I found myself immersed in him and this little world of banter he and I were dancing around.