Imperfect Strangers by Mary Frame

Author:Mary Frame [Frame, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781730719387
Amazon: 1730719384
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: 2018-11-03T00:00:00+00:00

~*~

I’m ready with coffee by six thirty, feeling more upbeat and positive than I have all week. I’m excited to show Bethany around my city and see her reactions to everything. But it’s more than that. I love spending time with her. Except it’s getting harder and harder not to take her in my arms and kiss her.

She emerges from the bedroom at six fifty-five with a zombie-like moan. “Coffeeee.”

I hand her a cup as she comes into the kitchen, which she takes without comment.

She’s wearing a soft long-sleeved shirt with a large neck that exposes one shoulder. Her hair is a mess of curls and she’s the most delicious thing I’ve ever seen, even with puffy eyes and a tired face.

She takes a sip of the coffee, leaning back against the counter and eying me.

I glance down to see what she’s looking at. I’m dressed simply in jeans, a long-sleeved grey Henley, and an old-school pair of Vans.

“After you get ready, we need sustenance.” I rub my hands together.

She lifts a brow. “Are you on the menu?” Immediately, her hand claps over her mouth and her cheeks flush.

Laughter bubbles out of me. I was thinking something similar a minute ago. “I think your filter is broken.” I give into the urge to reach over and push a lock of her wild hair behind her ear. The fleeting touch of her soft skin sends a frisson of yearning through my body.

I want so much I can’t have.

And why can’t I have? Would it really be so bad to consider more? I know Bethany is attracted to me and we have fun together. Would it be so horrible?

Although, she’s been vocally averse to being “date-y” with me from the get-go.

And then there are my medical issues. But what if her thoughts have changed now that we know each other? And what if I told her everything? Would she run? Could I blame her if she did? I can barely face my own demons. How can I expect someone I care about to face them with me?

“It’s because it’s early,” she whines and drags my thoughts back to the moment. “How are you so happy and energetic?” She squints at me. “Satan?”

I chuckle. “Don’t worry. I’ll feed you and you’ll be as good as new. You’re going to eat what all good New Yorkers eat in the morning: a bagel from a cart. Now hurry up and get dressed and I’ll make you more coffee.”

She frowns at me but saunters down the hall anyway. “Fine, fine, I’m going, I’m going,” she mutters.

She reemerges ten minutes later in form-fitting jeans and a T-shirt, looking much more awake and a lot less cranky.

“I’m ready for my tour, Mr. Lord of the Underworld.”

“Good. The River Styx awaits you, my lady,” I say as I’m opening the door for her.

We leave the Porsche behind. “No having to deal with parking,” I explain. “We’re using cabs and subway only.”

“What if people recognize you?”

I shake my sunglasses at her before putting an Oakland hat on, making her laugh.

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