Free Unintentional by MK Harkins Page A

makebeauties like these back home.”
    He’s practically drooling on me. This guy is starting to become obnoxious. He rests his arm on our table, his face is about four inches from mine, and I think he’s trying to smell my neck. This is not going well.
    Cade senses my discomfort. He leans back in his chair, casually crossing his arms. “Well, this little beauty is mine, so you’re going to need to sod off now.”
    It’s my turn to laugh. I look at him and smile with appreciation. I notice his expression changes for a moment. His smile falters, but he regains it almost immediately.
    Handsome British Man, who doesn’t seem so handsome anymore, takes the hint and leaves in a huff.
    Cade, still in his relaxed position says, “So, go on. You were telling me how honest and reliable you are?”
    So many feelings war with me at once. I’m still angry at him for thinking I was a hooker. I’m totally embarrassed about the, um, detective work we did. Now, he’s taunting me about trying to shake the loser at the airport. What’s with this guy? He’s infuriating!
    “What would you do?” I respond. “It’s usually the easiest wayto get rid of unwanted attention.”
    Cade gives me a big smile. I need help, because those dimples are showing, and I’ve totally lost my train of thought. The feelings of attraction I had for him the first time I saw him a month ago make an unwelcome appearance. My entire body starts to heat up, and I’m so afraid he’s going to notice. Well, actually, it would be worse if Sophie notices, because she’d call me out on it. Here I was, enjoying Cade’s squirming, and now it’s my turn.
    “That happens to you a lot, doesn’t it?” he asks.
    “Sometimes. Why?” I respond.
    He shrugs. “I just figured as much. So you lie to get out of it?”
    Here we go, back to the honesty thing. Ugh.
    “I’m sure you have your share of girls approaching you, Cade. I’m not blind, so don’t sit here and tell me you don’t tell them a little white lie to spare their feelings.”
    He nods his acknowledgment. “Yes, I’ll admit to it, but I wasn’t sitting here two minutes ago telling you how honest I was.” I can tell by the expression on his face he’s totally enjoying this.
    I give him my best glare, and it only seems to improve his mood. “You like making me angry, don’t you? You’re enjoying this!”
    Cade chuckles. “Okay, okay. I’m done. It’s just that you get the funniest expression on your face when you’re backed into a corner. Did you know you have a little crease between your eyebrows every time you get upset?”
    Unconsciously, I reach up and smooth out the area in question.
    Sophie picks now to join the conversation. “Oh, you two! This is so fun to watch. It’s like watching a real-life sparring match.”
    Cade looks over at Sophie and laughs. “I knew I liked you.” And those dimples make another appearance.
    This time my body goes into total revolt. My palms are so sweaty, I think they may be dripping. My heart makes a treacherous leap, and resumes beating triple time. I have to force my breathing to slow down, so I don’t look like I feel, like I’ve just completed a marathon. I need to quit looking at his face. He’s too good-looking. I decide to check out his tattoos. He’s wearing a t-shirt so I can see about an inch of inked skin.
    I’m staring so intently, I don’t notice the conversation has come to a halt. I look back up into those eyes. They’re so beautiful, and they’re looking right back at me. I can’t look away. I’m captivated, frozen. I’ve stopped breathing for a moment. It’s electric.Cade takes his eyes off mine for a moment to glance down at my lips. Damn, I’m busted. I think he knows what he’s doing to me. Thankfully, at the very moment I’m sure I’m going to melt into a puddle, the waitress comes over to take our order. I’m saved, for now.
    The lunch was actually very nice. Both Sophie and I take turns asking Cade questions,