expenses and security deposit on this dump. Not to mention the fact that I had resigned from my position at the mental health center in the town where I grew up and accepted a job in Florida with a large mental health facility. I was kind of stuck with my what-now-seemed-like-a-rash decision.
I changed into shorts and a tank top and decided to get to work. I could get everything moved myself expect for my bed, dresser and couch. Hans said he would give me a hand with some of the larger items, when I needed the help. Luckily, they were all at the back of the truck.
It took me a little over an hour to get all of the small stuff moved in and all I had left were the large furniture items. I was exhausted and thirsty, so I decided to take a short break before I went to get Hans. I wondered if there were any small convenience stores within walking distance, where I could get a cold bottled water or soda.
Then I heard a pounding on the front door, which I had left propped open.
“Is anyone home?” called out a male voice.
I went over to the door and opened it fully. I could feel my mouth drop open when I saw the guy standing at my threshold. He was bare-chested, wearing just swim trucks and flip flops. And, oh what a wonderful chest it was, six-packed and bronzed from the sun. The guy was about six feet tall; muscular and toned. When I could finally steal my gaze from his magnificent physique, I looked into smoldering brown eyes and my breath was momentarily stolen from my body. His dark hair was messy and damp. That’s when I noticed he also had a bit of sand on his broad shoulders. I guessed he was one of the surfer boys, as Hans called them, who lived next door.
The gorgeous guy gave me a titled half smile that showed off a sexy dimple in his cheek. The man was clearly the whole package and he definitely knew it. He carried himself like he owned the world. He could easily own any girl with the dimple alone.
Any girl, except me, of course.
It would be a very long time before I was interested in any involvement with the opposite sex. My heart was still broken into a million little pieces from my messy break-up with Jeff.
“Just move in?” Mr. Whole Package said.
“Is it that obvious?” I quipped.
“The moving truck out front kind of gave it away,” he said. He held out a hand. “I’m Eddie. I live next door.”
I stared at his hand for a second, wondering how rude it would look if I didn’t shake it. A big part of me was scared to even touch him. Finally, I just thought fuck it and grabbed his hand.
Oh, God. What a HUGE mistake.
Why hadn’t I listened to my inner, obviously much smarter voice, which warned me not to touch him? His grip was firm and his hands were rougher than I had imagined they would be; but what got me were his eyes. As he held my hand, I was captivated by the intensity of his fiery stare. I nearly drowned in the cascade of shivers that flooded my body.
Eddie had game and knew exactly how to use it. Shit.
“I’m Lexie,” I said as I quickly removed my hand from his grasp.
He arched an eyebrow. “Short for something?”
“Alexandria.”
“Pretty name.”
I smiled. “Well, I’ve got a lot of work to do.” I wanted him to leave. He was making me nervous. He was making me feel things I didn’t want to feel. A lot of things I didn’t want to feel. All the things I was trying to escape by moving to Florida.
“Need help carrying in the rest of your stuff?” he offered. It was tempting, but it also meant spending more time with him, which might put us near the danger zone.
When I moved to Florida, I decided that I would put up an invisible sign: Slow No Wake. I didn’t want any waves or any drama. I had had enough of that in Illinois. Men usually caused waves and Eddie definitely seemed like the heavy wake kind of guy. I needed him gone as quickly as possible. I had a foot in dangerous waters and I didn’t want to get swept up in the tide.
“Hans said he would give me a hand with the furniture,” I said.
Eddie leaned in very close, like