OBSESSED

9

LEAH

My face felt unusually warm. I listened intently to Jarrod speak with the bartender.

His voice was mesmerizing. Like warm, melted caramel around the tongue. I could listen to his voice forever and never get bored of it.

My eyes rested unashamedly on my hot doctor, wondering how I ended up here with him.

This entire experience felt like a dream come true. Jarrod checked all of my boxes.

1. Attractive
2. Kind / Patient
3. Funny / Laughs at my stupid jokes
4. Takes me to cool places I've never been

I circled my finger around the rim of my cocktail glass, contemplating. No man ever fulfilled every box—which was pretty sad, considering there were only four.

Jarrod's deep voice continued to rumble on. I made out enough to know the men were speaking about gin, but I couldn't have contributed in any capacity. As usual, my thoughts were running away with me.

As I looked him over, savoring the sight of his raw masculine presence, Jarrod paid rapt attention to the bartender. Every few minutes, he'd steal a discreet glance in my direction.

I thought long and hard about how I wanted this night to end.

Ironically, long and hard was exactly the solution I needed.

The alcohol in my system probably contributed at least slightly to this desire, as I'd never had sex with anyone on a first date. If we could even consider this a date—we ran into each other by accident, after all.

How were so many coincidences possible when we'd never met once during the time we'd both lived in Atlanta?

It felt like one monumental collision of our timelines turned into a gravitational pull that neither of us could escape. I certainly wasn't going to complain.

My gaze slid over his white button-down. The fabric clung to his well-defined muscles, emphasizing the sculpted biceps and toned abdomen beneath.

My core clenched. He was so fucking sexy.

God, I was so ready to escape with him. I hoped he shared that sentiment.

He didn't have to think I was the hottest woman he'd ever seen. Because let's face it, there was no way I was. But I was cute and I guess that was enough for him.

I sighed and rested my chin on my hand. My gaze stroked admiringly up and down his profile again before I forced myself to look away, lest I look as obsessed as I felt.

If this whole thing flopped, I hoped I'd at least get some sexual release. Jarrod was the only remotely interesting man I'd met since Danny and climaxing on a dick was so much better than my hand.

Feeling brave, I leaned forward and placed my hand on Jarrod's thigh. His leg tensed beneath my fingers in acknowledgment, the underlying muscles hard like stone. He sat straighter and flashed me a smile.

"I'm going to run to the bathroom," I said. "I'd like to head out in a bit."

He nodded, eyes following me as I slid off the stool.