loud bang came from somewhere else. The dining and social areas were only a few feet in front of her. Breakfast was still being served. Rich aromas of coffee and baked goods filled the large room where casual guest and staff conversations lingered just below a tranquil, piped-in melody. That, and the tasteful decor, made the place resemble an upscale private club.
She passed up everything from freshly baked croissants to made-to-order omelets. Instead, she scooped up some scrambled eggs, grabbed some toast and coffee, and looked around for a place to sit. In the far corner, she spotted an empty table for two. As she slid into her seat, a man, not too much older than she was, settled into the seat opposite her. They glanced at each other, lowered their heads, and started eating. The awkward silence was uncomfortable.
“Kinsley,” she said, expecting him to respond with his name.
No acknowledgement came, only the blank gaze of his compelling brown eyes with golden, starburst-patterned irises that stared from beneath fallen strands of sun-streaked hair. As far as she could tell, nothing was registering. Yet, he continued to stare. They were the type of eyes you’d want to take a second peek at. She didn’t and turned away, but not before noticing his near perfect build. A few minutes went by before he spoke and interrupted her short infatuation.
“Jackson.” His voice was authoritative. Yet, his response was long and drawn-out as if he were distracted. Possibly, her silky, dark curls falling beneath her full breasts sidetracked him. His eyes lingered smack dab on them as he said his name. She wouldn’t be surprised if he pulled out a post-coital cigarette. If he did, he had better make it a chocolate one. His long silence and spacey introduction got to her, and she responded with an annoyed half-hearted smile. Yet, she didn’t look away. She kept willing herself to, but she never did.
His head tilted in a pleading way, and he met her gaze. “Honestly—I’m sorry.”
“No problem.” She wasn’t sure why, but she softened her voice to sound especially forgiving. Finally able to lower her eyes, she continued fiddling with her food. The last thing she wanted to do was encourage him.
He cleared his throat, politely catching her attention. When she didn’t respond, he glanced away and back again. “Give me a break. Okay?” He grinned, and the little clef in his chin deepened, making his smile even more appealing.
Sincerity radiated from his eyes. That, combined with their jewel-like quality, was indeed an unneeded distraction. “Break given. Forget about it.” Trying to avoid continuing with the conversation, she gave him another brief smiled before returning to her meal.
Looking doubtful of her forgiveness, he cocked his head and laid on the charm. “Okay, I’ll even admit I was staring. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. You’re stunning.”
Apparently, smiles weren’t enough for him. His persistence bothered her, but only because he stirred her up inside. Although flattered, she was only concerned with leaving Florida, returning to New York, and getting Max settled into a semblance of a normal life again. She placed her fork on her plate and gave him her full attention. “Me? Or my breasts?”
“Both.”
She softened her expression, and his smile broadened. How could she fault him for picking the absolute worse time to flirt with her? With a nonchalant scan, he gave her the once over. She felt his eyes sliding over her body. When he angled in for a better look, his smile pulled to the side, and he appeared thoughtful. She could tell he approved. The sensations it brought on prompted her to squish into her chair in an attempt to extinguish the sparks his smoldering eyes created.
Once his eyes returned to hers, they didn’t waver. “Sweet. A woman who gives second chances.”
She almost giggled at his persistence and lowered her head, hiding her cheeks that were becoming hotter by the minute. “Aren’t you afraid you won’t be able to get rid of me?”
He didn’t answer until she looked up curiously. When she did, he had the oddest expression. Soft and dream-like. “I decided that wouldn’t be such a bad thing,” he said. And then he laughed. He had a great laugh.
She was sure she appeared dumbfounded.
The intensity of his stare grew hypnotic, seeming too intimate; she broke the connection and stirred more unneeded cream into her coffee. They continued with their meal trying to avoid being caught stealing glimpses of each other. Unable to resist after a few minutes, she looked