Prologue

    “Dammit!” Laura said as she spilled her coffee on her light floral blouse. She hadn’t seen the crack in the sidewalk as she was juggling her bag and coffee cup, trying to keep up with the foot traffic. “Just great. I hate Mondays,” she mumbled to herself as people hurried past her on their way to work on this bright, sunny day. She silently scolded herself for trying to cram a last-minute errand in before work. She carried on as she reached into her bag to pull out a napkin. She tried to wipe the coffee off, but only succeeded in rubbing it in further. Not looking up from tending to the stain, she bumped into a man, hard.

    “Ouch!” she exclaimed, but then realized she had spilled more coffee, this time on him. “Oh no, I’m so sorry.” Automatically she reached out with her napkin, already half-stained with coffee to wipe the coffee off of his suit sleeve.

    The man intercepted her hand.

    She looked up, expecting to see a disapproving frown and to be chastised for not watching where she was going by a busy, impatient New Yorker. Instead she saw a warm smile. He took his reflective aviator sunglasses off to reveal piercing blue eyes, which were framed by thick lashes. His dark, wavy hair had what looked like an undone, messy look, but purposely-styled. She inhaled sharply. He was drop-dead gorgeous. Her mind went blank.

    “I tried to dodge you,” he said, “but you were kind of careening down the sidewalk.” His deep, rich voice was kind, and he had a trace of humor in his expression .

    Laura was momentarily stunned as she took in the face of the man who held her hand. He had to be over six feet tall with broad shoulders and an exotic-looking complexion. He had high cheekbones and wide-set eyes. His teeth were white and straight and he had luscious full lips. He was sexy as hell.

    “Are you okay?” he asked, still holding her hand gently.

    She realized she was just standing there staring at him wide-eyed. She turned several shades of red. “Yes, I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…I-I should get going.” She was even more embarrassed now that she was so flustered. He was going to think she was an idiot. She had to go before she embarrassed herself even further. She pull her hand away and dropped the coffee cup on the sidewalk. The lid popped off and the coffee spilt all over his shoes and hers.

    “Okay,” he said, laughing and taking a step back. “I’m getting a coffee bath this morning.”

    “Oh no, I am so sorry…again.” She thought she would die on the spot.

    She fumbled through her bag to find more napkins. She always carried a pile of them for spills. Kind of like moms do, but she didn’t have kids. She hoped one day she would, but her prospects hadn’t looked too promising.

    He laughed again. “Really,” he said, his voice deep and gentle, “it’s fine. I can clean up at my office. That’s better than here on the street.”

    Passersby dressed in expensive suits glanced at them, snickering at the sight of the coffee fiasco.

    Laura was dying of embarrassment. She already felt like she stuck out like a sore thumb working in Manhattan. But she had been determined to find a career there. It was her dream. But here she was causing a scene. Maybe she’d never fit in, she thought. “Okay, again, I am so…”

    He cut her off, “No more apologies. It was a simple accident.” He grinned at her, the amusement sparkling in his intensely blue eyes. “Listen, my office is right in there,” he said as he pointed to the gleaming skyscraper they stood in front of.

    “Angelo, morning!” a young man called out as he waved. The man glanced at Laura, then down at their shoes. She saw him try to hide the grin on his face as he turned his head and walked into the shiny building.

    Angelo? she thought. Man, even his name is sexy. Her heart was beating fast in her chest.

    “Morning, Bernard,” he said. “See you upstairs.”

    Laura bent down to pick up her coffee cup and lid from the sidewalk. At least getting rid of the evidence would make this less of a spectacle. She tucked her shoulder-length straight auburn hair behind her ears.

    Angelo quickly bent down to help her, taking note of the hint of ample cleavage that showed through the V-neck of her floral blouse as she leaned over and her shapely legs and hips as her skirt sneaked up a little higher. He looked back at her chest. “You, um, have a spot there,” he said, pointing at her blouse.

    She looked down. The big, brown stain was plainly evident on her blouse, right where her nipple would be. Dear God, she thought, can this get anymore embarrassing?

    “Yes,” she said, “I got myself before I got you.” She went to try and brush the stain off some more, when it dawned on her that she was rubbing her breast in front of a total stranger. Then she also realized how revealing her blouse was at this angle. She stopped suddenly, feeling terribly self-conscious.

    “I’d offer to help you with that, but I think maybe it’s something you should do,” he said, grinning at her.

    She gave a nervous giggle and turned even redder.

    “I am a gentleman,” he said as he grabbed the coffee cup and lid before she could, as she was trying to balance her big purse and work bag. “Allow me,” he said. He put them in one hand, which she noticed were big and masculine looking, but well manicured, then held out his other hand to help her up.

    “Um, thank you,” she said. She took it, and he helped her stand up. His hand was warm and strong.

    “It’s my pleasure to aid a damsel in distress,” he said, then tossed the items into a nearby wastebasket.

    She then noticed his dark grey suit. It looked expensive and finely tailored. Boy, did she know how to make an impression.

    “Does Coffee Haven make a good brew?” he asked.

    “Uh, yes, the best I’ve found around here,” Laura replied as she straightened her skirt and blouse out. She was bummed she wouldn’t get her cup of coffee this morning. She didn’t have time to go back, she was already going to be late for work. She had also lost the five dollars that coffee had cost her.

    Nothing in Manhattan was cheap.

    “We have some good coffee up in my office,” he said, “why don’t I replace what you lost?”

    She looked up at the building. “Where do you work?”

    He pointed at the name over top of the grand entranceway.

    Holy crap, she thought as she read the sign. “Tsar Enterprises?”

    “Angelo Tsarkopolis at your service,” he said, giving her a playful half bow.

    A wave of intimidation washed over her as she connected the dots. That was his family’s company. She realized he was likely one of the wealthiest men in Manhattan. She found herself backing up. She was even more self-conscious now of her modest clothing, shoes and bags, none of it was designer. Then she took note of all the people heading into that building. All dressed to the nines and then some. She felt very out of place. “Oh no, I couldn’t,” she said, realizing the world he came from.

    “I don’t bite, I promise,” he said, grinning at her. He held out his hand.

    She looked at it, so inviting. She bit her lip. “I-uh, I’d love to, but I really need to get going. I’m going to be late for work.” She was completely flustered as she brushed her flyaway hair out of her face.

    His face showed disappointment. “Perhaps another time,” he said, nodding. “Call me here if you’d like to come by for that replacement coffee. I’m easy to find.”

    “Sure,” she said, gazing into his blue eyes, which felt like they were immobilizing her. Wow, she thought, I could get lost in those. “Another time.” She broke her gaze and straightened her bags on her shoulders. “Bye.” She turned around to leave.

    He took note of a shapely bottom and smiled. He was instantly charmed by her slightly awkward, but adorable mannerisms. “What’s your name?” he called after her.

    She turned back, taking in all six plus feet of him, standing there with confidence. She blushed again. “Laura.” She turned and left. Walking away slowly. She didn’t want to, but she felt compelled to.

    “Pretty name,” he whispered. “Pretty girl.”

    She turned back around. He still stood there watching her, admiring her curvy figure. He waved. “See you again, Laura.”

    She smiled and waved, feeling shy and out of place. “Bye.” She kept walking, a huge grin spreading across her face. Her temperature had spiked and she felt an electric buzz going through her. What an Adonis, she thought. Then she mentally kicked herself. Only in my dreams…

    Unknown to her, he kept watching her until she crossed over a couple of blocks, and then disappeared out of his sight.