Dream Date (50 page)

Keep reading for an exclusive excerpt from
Infiltrating Your Heart
, an upcoming adult romance novel from debut author Kassy Markham…

Mercedes

Today, I’m finally going to meet Gabriel O’Hara. I’m standing in front of my mirror, adjusting my makeup. I want to look irresistible. In fact, Patrick demands that I look that way. Though he assured me I’d look desirable wearing just about anything, Patrick would rather not take his chances of Gabriel not liking me.

I look at myself from all angles to make sure I look just right. I’m wearing a violet blouse with inch-thin straps. The V-cut shows a modest amount of cleavage. I paired the blouse with a pleated cream-colored skirt that reaches to a couple inches above my knees. Expensive black sandals complete my look. As I stand there, I think to myself that it’s been a long time since I dress up without wearing fuck-me high heels. This is refreshing.

After making sure I look perfect, I stand up and apply my perfume. I decide to leave my glasses behind. I want to make the best impression possible. Once I’m ready, I walk out of my room. I only have to wait now. Patrick said he would call to let me know where Gabriel will be.

To pass the time, I watch TV. I want to grab a cookie from my jar on top of the fridge, but I don’t want to have to brush my teeth again.

My father comes out of his room a moment later. He always does so at around this time of day to take his medicine. He looks at me on the couch.

“Are you working early today?” He asks me. I turn to him. He’s stopped on the doorway to the kitchen.

“No. I’m just hanging out with a friend,” I lie. He must have made the assumption because I’m dressed up. I only do that for work or special occasions.

My father nods, and gets on his way. I turn back to the TV. It may not be obvious, but I worry about him.

A quarter of an hour later, I hear my familiar ringtone. I grab my purse from on top of the coffee table and pull out my smartphone.

“Hi.”

“Good afternoon, Mercedes. It’s Patrick.”

“I know,” I reply. It comes out chillier than I intend.

Patrick scoffs. I’ve got to try to be friendlier towards him. He’s never done me any wrong.

“You’ve got such a sunny personality.”

I laugh.

“So do you.”

“You need to move. Gabriel is going to be at the Sports Authority shortly.”

Patrick gives me an address. It’s not that far from the Academy of Art.

“And remember: make sure that your first encounter seems accidental. You don’t want Gabriel to think that you intended to run into him.”

“Of course not. I know what to do.”

“Good. Get going, then.”

I hang up and then put my phone back inside my purse. After grabbing the remote, I turn off the TV.

Here it goes.

I head outside to my car. I’m already quite full of anticipation. Patrick told me he wouldn’t text me a photo of Gabriel until I get there. It’s not fair.

A little while after, I pull up into the parking lot in front of the Sports Authority. Patrick already texted me the photo a couple of minutes ago. I know because I heard my smartphone beep. I pull it from my purse and check the messages. Then I click on the photo.

Holy shit.

Gabriel is handsome. He’s no Chris Hemsworth, but he’s a man any wife would be proud to have. It seems Patrick wasn’t kidding when he said any woman would love to be handed to his brother on a silver platter. The only thing I’m not happy about now is that Patrick spoiled the surprise. If I’d met Gabriel without seeing him before, I would have been breathless.

Well, maybe that’s a good thing. I’m glad that I’m a pretty good actress.

I take a deep breath, and step out of my car. I’ve got a good plan to run into Gabriel. Trying to seem calm, I walk right into the store. I’ve visited it a few times to buy my exercising equipment. Keeping a great body shape is beneficial to your health. And it keeps me looking good, which is crucial for my job.

I hope Gabriel is still here. I want to find him before he sees me. That will turn the tables in my favor.

Wishing I could don sunglasses indoors, I walk around the store. I make sure to appear to be searching for
something
rather than
someone.
As I walk, I think I could use the opportunity to buy new exercise pants and sports bras. A bike would be useful, too.

I walk through the clothing section, keeping alert for any sign of Gabriel. Patrick hasn’t told me anything about his brother, so I’m not sure where to look.

After grabbing a couple pairs of exercise pants and a sports bra, I go to the fitness section. When I walk past a corridor, I halt in my tracks.

Gabriel is there, holding a heavy-looking dumbbell. I look at his arm. He looks ripped, all right. Gabriel must pump serious iron.

Don’t look nervous. Don’t look nervous.

Now that I know where Gabriel is, I’m going to keep an eye on him. I want to bump into him at just the right moment.

Gabriel loads some barbells of different weights into his cart. He’s already got other stuff in it.

Seemingly done, Gabriel turns and walks out of the corridor. I walk into an adjacent one. Just when he’s about to walk past me, I step out. I time it with care to bump into Gabriel and
not
into his cart. This moment is crucial. I can’t make myself look like a fool.

I walk straight into him. My would-be purchases fall to the floor. Gabriel quickly looks in my direction. He grabs me by the arm to keep me from falling.

“Oops!” Gabriel says, looking apologetic. I can’t help but look openmouthed at him. There’s nothing like seeing a person in the flesh. He looked handsome in the photo, but he seems dazzling in person. My gaze drops down to his jaw. He’s got sexy stubble.

“Um…no problem,” I reply. Gabriel looks at me like I’m the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. His eyes look down my entire body, stopping longer on my breasts. He then looks at the floor.

“Oh, sorry,” Gabriel tells me. He bends down to pick up my merchandise. When he hands it to me, I smile.

“Thank you.”

Gabriel nods. He still looks dazzled by me. To tell you the truth, I’m also dazzled. I didn’t expect that.

“Anytime,” Gabriel says. He flashes a smile that just about melts me into a puddle. What I’m feeling is real. This is no acting on my part.

After a few seconds, I blush. I’m a little embarrassed at my behavior. I wish I
was
acting.

“Sorry, I d-don’t mean to keep you,” I stammer.

“It doesn’t matter. I—er, you look stunning, if you don’t mind my saying so.”

I look down at what I’m wearing. Now that he says it, I feel a bit overdressed. What must Gabriel think now? That I dress up just to go shopping?

“I don’t mind,” I reply, laughing softly. I look down before his eyes can hypnotize me further. Right now, I’m starting to feel like a moth to a flame. Gabriel’s the one that’s supposed to be feeling like that.

When I raise my eyes, I sense that Gabriel truly feels drawn to me. I decide to turn on the charm a little bit more. I need to make myself impossible to forget.

“What’s your name?” I ask. To my surprise, he laughs.

“Funny. I was about to ask the same question.”

“Oh.”

We both laugh together. I don’t know what’s up with us now. I’m sure we look like teenagers.

“I’m Gabriel O’Hara,” he tells me, holding out his hand. I reach to shake it. His grip is firm, and his skin is just a little rough. The muscles are well-developed.

“I’m Mercedes,” I say, looking at him through my eyelashes. You may not guess, but this is a practiced move. “Mercedes Roberts.”

Gabriel nods, as if he really wants to memorize my name. That flatters me.

“Mercedes,” he says. I like the way my name sounds coming from his lips. “Nice to meet you.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

We stand looking at each other. I’m on full seduction mode. I hope that he’s mesmerized.

Gabriel admires me for a few seconds longer. He then looks at his watch.

“I’m sorry, but I must be on my way. I have work.”

“Oh. I didn’t realize I was keeping you waiting.”

“Don’t sweat it. I’d waste time admiring a gorgeous woman any time.”

My eyes widen. He thinks I’m gorgeous!

“You’re not bad yourself,” I tease. He laughs again. “Maybe we could run into each other some other time?”

Gabriel’s eyes light up.

“That would be great. Um, I work at a gym nearby. We could meet there.”

Gabriel tells me the name of the gym. I have other ideas, so I reach into my purse. I pull out a pen and a little notepad and write my number on a page. When I’m done, I hand it to Gabriel.

“Call me anytime,” I tell him.

“Sure,” Gabriel replies, reading the paper. He seems thrilled that I gave him my number without his asking. “Have a good day, Mercedes.”

“You, too.”

Gabriel nods, and I let him go on his way. I look at the stuff I’m holding. There’s just something else I need before I go.

I sigh as I walk. Things went considerably well. If I’d come up with an actual plan, I couldn’t have had better results. For now, I must wait until the next time I see Gabriel. I hope it’s soon.

Kassandra “Kassy” Markham writes steamy romance with just a touch of suspense. She enjoys writing about couples who share sizzling chemistry. Most days, Kassy can be found typing away on her laptop, often while listening to Cher Lloyd. At night, she
’
s most likely reading a great book or watching TV dramas
.
That’s if Kassy’s not busy acting out scenes she could add to her books (such as playing the seductress).

Infiltrating Your Heart
is Kassy’s first novel. A new installment is expected for the summer of 2015. Kassy lives in the great state of Kansas, home of Clark Kent.

Connect with Kassy online at:

@KassyM_Author

http://kassymarkham.jimdo.com

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