“She was saying you don’t drop by her house much?”
I sigh heavily. “We don’t get along well, you know that.”
“She’s still your mother,” he points out. Like I don’t know that.
“Well, if this is turning into lecture time, I’m out of here. I’ll be back before you leave to pick up the beast,” I say, kissing him on the cheek.
“The car is female!” he complains.
I say bye and walk out of his house. Humming a song, I’m almost to my car when I see a familiar face.
Saxon Tate.
My heart races at the sight of him.
My best friend Lexi’s ex-boyfriend, and one of the best looking men I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing in person. He is dreamy. He exudes sex appeal.
Oh, the things I’d do to him if I had the chance…
Unfortunately he is also not one of my favourite people, seeing as he cheated on my best friend and once broke her heart.
Sure, it all ended well.
Lexi is now happy with Ryder and has forgiven Saxon, but what’s the saying?
Once a cheater always a cheater.
I’d be stupid to even consider going there.
I’d also never sleep with the ex of a friend. It’s a little weird, not to mention Lexi is like a sister to me.
So many reasons not to go there, yet…
I’ve noticed how Saxon looks at me. I’m not a naïve girl—I know when a man is interested in me. It’s not an ego thing, it’s just a feeling. I can tell by the way he always watches me or tries to make conversation.
Like right now, for instance.
Saxon has also let me know he’s interested.
He has even asked me out in the past.
And I say no each and every time.
Not because I don’t want to, but because I do.
I, Tenielle Crawford, the most stubborn and proud woman on the face of the earth, have a secret.
A weakness.
And he’s standing right in front of me.
His eyes devour every inch of me, and I let them.
I even like it.
Damn him!
“Saxon Tate,” I say in greeting, trying to keep my voice even. I stare into his soft brown eyes, then take in the rest of his facial features. Sharp cheekbones, full soft lips, and a jaw full of stubble. I zone in on his pierced eyebrow then back to his eyes.
Such long, thick lashes.
I clear my throat.
Show no weakness.
I try to see myself as he would see me. Black hair, caramel-coloured skin from my mixed Sri Lankan and Australian heritage, a tight white top showing a lot of bare stomach, baggy ripped boyfriend jeans and black combat boots. My usual attire when I’m not at work.
“Tenielle Crawford,” he replies, checking me out. “How have you been?”
For the first time ever, his brown hair isn’t spiked up. Instead, it frames his face, curling around his ears. “Did you run out of hair gel?”
He laughs, his warm brown eyes twinkling. “As a matter of fact I did.”
I tilt my head to the side. “I like it.”
He grins back at me. “You took out your piercings,” he says, pointing to my eyebrow. I did in fact, take out all my facial piercings except for my nose ring. He has his eyebrow pierced—the one without the scar. It looks good on him.
“Yeah, I had to get a real job,” I reply, pouting. I don’t exactly look how a lawyer is expected to look, so I tried to tone it down a little when applying for a job.
“Law firm, right?” he asks, seeming genuinely interested.
“Yep,” I reply, smiling. “Criminal law.”
He nods. “Your cousins are all so proud of you. I am too.”
I smirk. “Thanks, I actually enjoy it.”
He drums his fingers on his jean-clad thigh. “Good.”
We stare at each other.
“Listen,” he says a little hesitantly. “I was wondering if I could take you out sometime.”
He stares down at me, patiently waiting for my response.
“Ummm…” I try to think of an excuse. The only one I can come up with is that I have to wash my hair—which let’s face it, is kind of lame.
“Look, I know you don’t like me much,” he says, grimacing. “But a lot of time has passed and I’m done waiting.”
A lot of time has passed.
The whole Lexi/Saxon/Ryder fiasco seems like a lifetime ago. Lexi and Saxon used to date until she found him cheating on her. Then, I met her overseas, and we became best friends. When she came home with me to Perth, she fell in love with Ryder. Ryder didn’t know Lexi was Saxon’s ex, and when Saxon found out shit hit the fan.
After it all blew over, Saxon started to show his interest in me. I tried to ignore it—because it was an extremely uncomfortable situation.
“How do you know that?” I ask him. I choose to ignore the rest of his comment.
He raises his scarred eyebrow. “You haven’t exactly hidden it. How about the fact that you’ve been giving me evil looks ever since you met me, or the fact that I know it was you who spray painted ‘dickhead’ on my new car.”
He knew it was me?
I school my expression, trying to act casual.
“You also have called me a cheating bastard on a few occasions,” he continues.
I clear my throat. “I won’t be talking about that incident without my lawyer present.”
He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “The past is the past. Lexi and I are cool with each other, and for some stupid reason, I can’t stop thinking about you.”