Love Revolution (Black Cat Records Shakespeare Inspired trilogy) by Michelle Mankin Page A

that she’d missed three text messages and four calls from Chris. Scrolling through the texts showed that they were all variations on the same theme. Listening to the one voicemail sent her scurrying to finish up her cup of coffee so she could jump in the shower. The doorbell buzzed, making her jump. Uh, oh. Too late .
    Muttering curses under her breath, she went to open the apartment door. Chris leaned one arm against the doorframe, giving her the once over before his face slowly broke into that sexy smile of his.
    “Chris, what a surprise,” Sara said, shifting uncomfortably under his gaze and feeling awkward in her comfy robe and striped socks. “Come on in,” she told him sarcastically, tossing her hair over her shoulder and leaving the door open for him. It irritated her that he looked so chipper and handsome this early in the morning fully dressed in a long-sleeve black button-down and tight jeans.
    “You look like crap,” he told her.
    “Thanks, so much. Figure flattery will get you somewhere, huh?” she snapped.
    “I’m just kidding, babe.” If he told her what he was really thinking, she’d slap him. Her robe was white terry cloth and short, barely concealing the top of her thighs, leaving her long tanned legs on glorious display. And her hair was all tousled like she’d just had a romp in the hay. His imagination went wild and his throat went dry.
    “Do I need to wipe that silly grin off your face then?”
    He winked. “Sounds like a challenge.”
    “Do you want it to be?”
    “Hell, yes,” he replied instantly in a low husky voice. He moved even with her, so close she could feel the heat radiating off his frame. This time it was Sara who had difficulty swallowing.
    “Where’s Sam?” he asked, tucking his hands in his pockets. Instead of all over her like he wanted. That would have to wait.
    “Still sleeping, like most people are at this time of the day.”
    He shrugged, pulling out one of the dining room chairs, turning it around, and straddling it. Watching the maneuver brought an image to mind that made her blush. The direction her thoughts took when he was around. It was ridiculous.
    “Can I have some coffee?” he asked, pulling her mind back to reality. “Coffee, caffeine, liquid energy” he repeated, pointing at the cup in her hand.
    “Sure.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll get you some coffee. Would you like some French toast, too, maybe? Some freshly cut fruit, perhaps?”
    “No. Just the java.” He chuckled, accepting the mug she handed to him.
    “Cream and sugar are on the table,” she said, lowering herself into the chair across from him. “Now are you ready to tell me why you’re here at my apartment at seven in the morning?” She raised a brow. “Uninvited I might add?”
    “I like my coffee black. Some things are nice just the way they are.” His lips curled into a wicked grin. “No additives necessary. Like you in the morning.”
    “Yeah, right.” She snorted, tugging at the frayed hem of her robe.
    It was true, though. Without even a lick of makeup on, her lightly tanned skin was flawless, glowing. She looked fresh and young, like a model from an Ivory soap commercial. “Didn’t you get my texts?”
    She started to deny it but what was the point. The guy was as persistent as a hound dog on a hunt. “I did,” she shrugged.
    “Why didn’t you respond, then?” His voice rumbled low in his chest and his eyes took on that same predatory gleam from the day before. “Woman,” he drawled, standing and advancing slowly toward her. “We’re gonna have that talk, right here and right now.”
    She took a step back, reflexively.
    He stopped. “You’re not afraid of me, are you?”
    “Pfft,” she dismissed him, shaking her head back and forth and chastising herself for letting on how much he rattled her.
    Chris took another step closer while watching her closely. This time she didn’t back away. He reached out and gently caressed her cheek with his thumb.