left eyebrow – does this man have that? His jaw looks more chiseled if possible, those lips more mobile.
And suddenly, the puzzle works itself out.
“Dylan Masterson,” the man says, reaching out his hand to me in introduction. “Nice to meet you.”
I shake his hand, furiously trying to connect the dots in my head. Masterson? Holy shit. Ricky had mentioned once that he had an identical twin brother, but I’d never met him. This must be him! I can't believe my asshole, deadbeat ex-boyfriend has a billionaire twin brother who’s the President of Karmax!
“I’m so sorry,” I finally manage, blushing. “I thought you were - I thought you were someone else.” I nervously shake his hand and Dylan smiles warmly at me, making my knees go soft. “I’m Fiona,” I quickly add, realizing I haven’t even introduced myself yet. “Please take a seat,” comes my murmur while nervously pulling out the make-up chair for him to sit in.
But the alpha male shrugs it off with careless masculine grace. He settles down and I drape my make-up cape over his expensive suit. As I reach forward to tie it together behind his neck, the inside of my wrist comes very close to his face. He glances up at me, his eyes the same piercing blue as Ricky’s, but so much kinder. I meet his gaze and can’t look away - an electric current travels between us. I can feel it reaching into my insides, turning them to mush, and down my legs, before settling into a tingle in my pussy. Dylan must feel it too because he suddenly clears his throat and turns his face away from my wrist.
“Your perfume’s very nice,” he rasps softly. “A lovely floral scent.”
“I’m not wearing any,” I answer sassily, unable to hide the smile spreading across my face.
He looks back up at me and matches my grin. “Just naturally sweet, huh?”
I swallow, smiling at the compliment but also completely tongue-tied. Since when are hot guys actually nice? But I catch myself. This is work. So I start doing his make-up, whipping out my brushes and paints while fidgeting a bit with the lights and mirror.
But at the same time, I’m intensely aware of Dylan in a way I’ve never been aware of a client before. The way his skin radiates heat as I lean forward to brush his bronzed skin with setting powder. The way those shoulders are so broad, his massive form hulking in the make-up chair. And I can’t get over Dylan’s physical similarity to Ricky – after all, they’re identical twins, although also different in subtle, idiosyncratic ways. Because Ricky was lazy, rude, and vain. The bad twin was arrogant, and commanded no respect.
By contrast, I’ve only known Dylan for about two seconds and already I can tell that he’s totally different. His straight posture makes him look taller than Ricky, even though they should be the exact same height. He’s gentle and kind, yet commanding, without having to do or say much.
Oh god. My attraction to him is making my hands shake. I hope he doesn’t notice! But I can see from the corner of my eye he’s keeping his eyes on my face as I work. The fact that I’m into him must be obvious as day. I bet Dylan can walk into any room and make women swoon, falling over themselves like idiots. But for him to be into me? No, that’d be a pipe dream. Ricky may have been hot, but he was still a loser, whereas Dylan is clearly nothing of the sort. He’s an alpha prime. What would a man like this want with a brunette with a couple extra pounds?
Suddenly, I’m jolted from my thoughts.
“How do I look?” asks Dylan in deep, gentle voice. I allow myself to meet his gaze and notice that he’s smiling, those perfect lips molded beautifully. His blue eyes are warm and kind, and not cold like Ricky’s. Butterflies flutter in my stomach.
“Um, handsome - very handsome,” I stumble, holding the make-up brush in mid-air, my hand trembling. He smiles and suddenly his hand is on mine, gently enveloping it within his. Even his grip is different - purposeful and confident, not clammy and sweaty like Ricky’s always was. My breath stops in my throat.
Because I have to be careful. Things didn’t end well with Ricky. He was so charismatic in the beginning, but then quickly turned into a prick and dumped me. Why would Dylan be any different? Only this morning I’d sworn I wouldn’t go out with a guy that hot again, and yet here I am, flirting away like a nincompoop.
But Dylan seems so different from Ricky. The good twin seems genuine and sincere in his interest in me, and there’s a charisma that radiates from this male form, pulling me in like Ricky never did.
All this flashes through my mind in the split second after he takes my hand, making me freeze. I must look like a startled rabbit, because Dylan abruptly lets go of my hand, looking at me with a sudden concern in his eyes.
“I’m so sorry,” he growls. “I didn’t mean to shock you.”
But I interrupt him, saying in a hoarse voice thick with emotion.
“No it’s no problem. You didn’t shock me. In fact, I want it,” comes my dulcet murmur. His blue eyes flare.
“Oh really?” comes that low growl. “You want it?”
I blush. What are we talking about here? But somehow, the language between men and women is universal no matter the setting. We both know what we’re talking about as the electricity crackles between our forms so bright that heat sparks in my heart.
“I do want it,” I confirm softly, looking deep into those blue eyes.
And my words are true because I do want it, despite my previous relationship with his twin. Because there are good twins and bad twins, and maybe this time will be different. Maybe this time, Dylan could really be interested in me despite all my faults and foibles, despite all my idiosyncratic tendencies and extra curves. Maybe this time things will be different … and I’ll get lucky.
* * *
To be continued …
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About the Author
Cassandra Dee is a bestselling author of dozens of hot and steamy contemporary romances. She started out writing erotica but transitioned to romance after falling for one too many book boyfriends.
When she’s not tapping away furiously at her laptop, Cassandra can be found drinking gallons of coffee and watching lots of reality TV. She also enjoys taking the neighbor’s dog for walks, aimlessly wandering the local grocery store, and of course, reading too much about the lives of her favorite celebrities.
Cassandra is living her own HEA with her husband and a beautiful baby boy.
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