She flushes but holds my gaze. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“You do,” I admonish kindly. “You’ve been withdrawn since we met and I can pinpoint the exact moment. It’s when my eyes caught the scars on your jaw.” Pointedly, I let my eyes travel there to look at them again and she lifts her hand to her turtleneck to pull it up.
Without thought, I catch her hand, and hold it in mine.
Pulling it down, I say, “Don’t hide.”
She blinks at me in surprise but I can feel her hand relax and I let it fall away from my grip. “Sorry. Habit I guess.”
“I can understand that,” I reply with a smile. “But honest to God, Jenna, that’s not what first caught my attention. It was your eyes and the way the light was hitting them that shocked me more than your scars.”
She tips her head at me, eyebrows drawn slightly inward with some skepticism.
“But if I made you feel uncomfortable about the scars, it was unintentional. I’d like to tell you they’re hardly noticeable, but that would be a lie.” Jenna flinches, but I’m not done. “What I will tell you as truth, is that while they are noticeable, they are not what holds my attention. It’s your eyes.”
Like a wide-eyed owl, she blinks at me as if she’s never been paid a compliment. And I could absolutely go on with more because she’s a stunning woman. Her face is gorgeous with high cheekbones, full lips, and golden hair that stretches for miles.
But it’s mostly those eyes that are hard to look away from.
Finally, her expression softens and she shakes her head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let it bother me.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” I assure her.
“Actually, I do,” she says with a deep sigh. “I’m working hard to put myself out there and give humanity a chance to be real with me. I should have given you the benefit of the doubt. I can see you’re a nice guy.”
“I’m a totally nice guy,” I affirm. “And now you can say you made your first friend in Pittsburgh.”
Jenna sticks her hand out and smiles. “It’s very nice to meet you, Gage.”
I take her hand, soft and delicate. “Nice to meet you too, Jenna. And if you ever catch me staring at you, just be assured it’s totally your eyes that have my attention.”
I had not meant for that to come out as a flirtation, but damn if it doesn’t sound that way to my own ears. Clearly to Jenna’s as well as she blushes, but she manages to turn it into a joke. “Maybe I’ll wear mirrored aviators around you. Wouldn’t want you bumping into walls or anything.”
I tip my head back and laugh. Squeezing her hand before I release it, I jingle the keys before her. “I am going to go move the truck and then I’ll be up to help with the rest of the unpacking.”
“You don’t have to,” she says as I brush past her to round the truck. “I’m sure you have better things to do.”
“Nothing better to do than helping out a pretty friend,” I assure her and I can’t help but like the fact that I make her blush again.
GAGE (Pittsburgh Titans, Book #3) releases July 26, 2022! CLICK HERE for full details and to preorder.
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About the Author
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.
A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.
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