In one fateful night, their worlds collide in ways no one saw coming… Road to the Mansfield (An Express Investigations Prequel) by CB Laurence
In the doorway stood the most handsome man Rose had ever seen. Rain dripped from a well-pinched camel fedora and matching trench coat hanging on the cherry hat rack. His slick, jet-black hair and tan complexion accentuated strong features. He could have seemed intimidating, but at the moment, the edges of his mouth curled in a sweet smile, exposing deep laugh lines. “Sorry, miss.” The baritone voice fit him perfectly. “I didn’t mean to alarm you.”
Stunned silent by the surprise audience, Rose gawked as if she had never seen another human being in her life.
His midnight eyes, amused and sparkling, held Rose’s wide-eyed stare. He crossed the room in long, easy strides. “You are amazing—” Pulling his eyes from hers, he read her name tag. “Rose.” He brushed aside a stray lock of her hair before lacing his fingers into the shiny, brunette ribbons surrounding her face. His thumb made lazy circles along her cheek. “Beautiful.”
Completely captivated, Rose couldn’t move.
His heavy-lidded gaze followed his caress as it lingered under her chin, traveled down the soft curve of her neck, and played in the magnetic hollow of her collarbone. Her hand trembled in his as he raised it to his lips. “May I have this dance?”
He crooned softly to the music, the deep timbre of his voice igniting every nerve ending.
Rose caught a glimpse of her reflection in the store window. In this dark stranger’s arms, she appeared radiant, sensuous…wanton. Suddenly frightened, she stiffened against him and pushed away.
“Uh-uh, Rose.” His lips grazed her ear, and he strengthened his hold on her. “Dance with me.”
She shook uncontrollably as if all at once every cell became aware she was locked in an embrace with a very strong, total stranger. Her breath came faster and faster in panicked waves as she pushed on the solid wall of his chest. “Please, leave me alone.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want?”
The simple question caught Rose off guard. She honestly didn’t know. Her body, heart, and soul wanted to dance with him forever, but her brain insisted. She nodded. “Let me go.”
He released her and placed his hand over his heart. “I’m a passionate man, Rose. If I’ve frightened you, please accept my humblest apologies.”