Redesigning Fate (Revive #1) - A. M. Wilson Page 0,6

surrounded by those clear pools of blue, but somehow I know down to my soul, if I’d just jump in and let go, I’d drown peacefully in those endless blue depths. And that would be perfectly fine with me.

This powerful man lowers himself gracefully into a squat on the floor next to me, and the movement breaks my focus, reminding me I’m an idiot. His gaze slowly rakes my face, searching for signs of… what? Pain? Discomfort? Because I have plenty of discomfort. His stare is causing me discomfort… right between my thighs. It takes all my willpower not to squirm.

“Can you get up? Do you need to see a doctor?” The concern in his voice envelops my body in warmth, like soaking up the sun on a bright summer day.

“I’m fine. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking. My phone was ringing, and I was just so distracted. I didn’t mean to run into you.” Word vomit. A product of my anxiety.

He chuckles a low, deep sound that makes my body tingle. He reaches down to grip my hand and help me to my feet.

As I place my hand in his, a shock of electricity shoots through my palm and races up my arm at the contact. I barely stifle a gasp and my knees go weak, causing me to stumble forward back into that damn hard muscled chest. The aroma of cologne and pure male aggravates my senses in a psychological way. As if I’ve undergone Pavlovian conditioning and my body automatically responds to the slightest whiff of his delicious scent. Has a man every smelled so intoxicating? Slowly lifting my gaze upward, I catch his looking down at me. He’s still gripping my hand tightly.

“Are you certain you’re okay? You’re not woozy or anything?”

Humiliation rushes through me. I rip my hand away from his, shake it a few times, and wipe my palms on my pants as if I can erase the lingering tingle.

“Are you always this persistent? I said I’m fine the first three times you asked!” I snap.

Now thoroughly embarrassed, I gather my spilled belongings as quickly as I can manage and push my way out of the elevator door. I resist looking to see if he is following me as I stomp, not so gracefully, toward the lobby. The feel of his hand and his chest pressed against me still affect me. His scent still overwhelming my olfactory bulb.

I pointedly ignore the few people in the lobby, but I swear I catch a nasty grin from the receptionist as I pass by her station. Surely, she didn’t miss the exchange in the quiet elevator bank. I throw out a haughty, “Have a nice day,” as I glide by and push my way out into the midday sunshine.

CHAPTER TWO

“We have to go out to celebrate!” Carly, my best friend of four years, and biggest supporter, would never miss an opportunity to party.

We met in high school after she transferred from being homeschooled her whole life. Unfortunately, she had a hard time fitting in. Carly was so painfully shy she could hardly string a few words together, let alone carry a full conversation. High school was a catty, judgmental place, and in the beginning she simply didn’t fit the mold. She wore her raven colored hair long with a moderate amount of frizz and a slight wave, as if she didn’t own a straightener, or curling iron, or any styling product. Her clothes weren’t the most fashionable, although she wore them well. She was pretty, but did nothing to accentuate those features.

It wasn’t until sophomore year when we were paired as lab partners in Chemistry that I discovered she was a true gem. Being forced to work together for lab assignments, she opened up and showed what a kind, funny, smart girl she was. She got me like no other. We liked the same bands, read the same books, and after a small amount of persuasion from me, liked the same clothes. I helped her grow out of her awkward stage, and now I’m a little envious of her. College has taken that growing bud I nurtured and helped her bloom into a beautiful, inspiring, spirited woman. If I didn’t already know she wasn’t a virgin, I might be a bit scared for her. She has guys from all walks of life knocking on her door. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

Carly had moved away from our hometown about a year ago so I feel extremely lucky to have