Lost in my own thoughts, I don’t realize someone has approached me until a warm finger taps my shoulder. Even the fabric doesn’t stop me from feeling the heat flowing into my body. The warmth lingers on my shoulder as I turn around with a smile on my face. Ready to answer questions, as early guests had already started coming up to me, asking for my business card. I was, however, not prepared to face the most incredibly handsome man I’d ever seen in my life! My smile wobbled at the same time my breath caught in the middle of my throat, as I took him in completely.
He’s tall. From where I stand, even in heels, he has at least eight inches over me. Well over six feet, and I only really noticed because of the way I had to arch my neck to look up at him.
He has light, creamy skin that contrasts attractively against his jet black hair. Slightly overgrown and wavy you would think it was naturally curly. My fingers itch to touch his hair.
His face is a masterpiece. Squared jaw with a cleft in the center, a clean shaven face highlights the flawlessness of his skin and makes me want to feel it, bare against my own flesh. His strong nose is completely masculine, with a slight bump on the ridge that makes me wonder if at some time in his life he’d broken it in a fight or by accident. Either way, it added a sense of ruggedness and of the bad boy hiding beneath the obviously expensive tuxedo he was wearing.
Every single thing about this man makes him stunning, but it is his eyes that make my heart stutter. The outside of his irises are dark, like rich, thick, black ink. His eyes are light pools of grey mixed with a slight hint of sage green, making them unusual. All I can think about is how I want to memorize his eyes, so that I can duplicate them in paint, they are that striking. But it wasn’t only the color of his eyes; it’s what is behind them, a light that shines through. A brightness children have when they are about to make a wish right before they blow out the candles on their birthday cake.
At the bittersweet thought, I can’t help the smile that washes over me. In an instant, a smile replaces his serious expression as he looks me in the eyes. The way he looks at me with that genuine smile on his face, makes me breathless. Like some nitwit heroine from one of the romance novels Lucy tries to push on me. I don’t have words to describe how handsome he really is, with just a smile, he literally makes my knees weak.
“Hi.” I say soundly slightly breathy in a bad Marilyn Monroe kind of way. I immediately want to run away. I’m such a nerd!
“Hey.” His deep voice rumbles. I feel a quiver go down my spine and out my toes.
Down my spine and out my toes? What the hell is wrong with me?
We stare at one another. I wouldn’t have been able to look away if my life depended on it. He is more than the stereotypical pretty-boy that L.A. offers. God knows this place has more than enough of those running all over Hollywood. No. He’s the perfect example of masculine beauty. To put it simply, he really is THAT beautiful!
“Are you from Izzy Tizzy’s?” He asks, his voice deeper than I would have thought possible. I nod since my mind decides at this particular moment, to stop functioning.
“Any chance that I can ask you a couple of questions about having a birthday cake made?” He asks looking completely amused. I silently curse and remind myself, that there was no way that a guy like this would be interested in a girl like me.
“Of course,” I croak out and clear my throat, trying to smile.
“How much time in advance do you need for a birthday cake order?” He asks, a single dark eyebrow going up slightly.
He wants to order a birthday cake. I want to sigh. Of course, Hottie McMysterious would want to order a cake, probably for his … glancing at his bare ring finger… for his girlfriend.
“We usually require at least forty-eight hours in advance for preparation, but we can rush one in twenty-four. Unless you were looking for something elaborate, then I’d stick to forty-eight.” I answer as if I’m on autopilot. At least I can try to sell him something.
“What do you consider elaborate?” He asks, one side of his mouth slightly tipping up gives him a cocky look.
“Six tiered fondant with hand piping or life-size creations.” I answer quickly and his eyes go wide, his lips go from a smirk to a smile.
“Okay. Any chance I can have your card?”
“Sure.” I walk to the table and grab a business card, not noticing as he steps closer.
As I turn around, his chest is now an inch or two from my face. I try to step back but of course I don’t lift my leg high enough, my heel catches on the carpet and I begin to stumble. My mind running with horrible images of falling dead center into the table that holds all the sweets that took forever to create and making a complete fool of myself in front of not only the sexy stranger but some of the rich and powerful of southern California. But instead of falling, his strong hands quickly go to my shoulders, bringing my body back close to his. Keeping his hands on me, as I make sure my feet are now solidly on the floor, saving me from falling on the table.