Stolen Hearts Read Online Free

thought.
    “Nah.” He shook his head, a faint smile curving his sensuous lips. “I appreciate you taking the time though, and keeping your cop friend from frisking me.”
    She laughed, couldn’t seem to help herself, which caused his smile to widen, revealing dimples that bracketed either side of his mouth.
    Oh my.
    “Oh no problem, really. And your name is?” She had to ask, had to know what this man’s name was. She might never see him again.
    “Alex.” He extended his hand toward her. “And you’re Celeste, right?”
    “Yes.” She nodded, taking his hand. Long fingers wrapped around hers, his skin hot and electrifying to the touch and the brief contact sent a frisson of excitement up her arm. Her nipples hardened instantly and she released a shuddering breath.
    Never in her life had she reacted so strongly to such a simple touch. Heck, she’d never reacted so strongly to any kind of touch.
    It made her crave more.
    “Nice to meet you, Celeste.” His voice was a low murmur, making her toes curl in her shoes, her nipples hardening even more beneath her sensible bra.
    “You too, Alex.” His name rolled off her tongue and she could easily imagine herself calling it out while he buried himself deep inside her, her fingers tangled in his thick, silky hair, his big, hot body pressed against hers.
    Blinking, she released his hand as if burned, mortified by her train of thought.
    This was not normal. She did not think this way about men, especially a complete stranger. It didn’t make any sense.
    There was no denying the invisible energy buzzing around them though, filling the room, making their bodies lean toward each other. Her lips parted. She could actually imagine herself kissing this man right here, right now and the way his head cocked toward her made her think he was about to do it too—
    “I didn’t find him.” The bells jangled with Johnny’s arrival and she and Alex sprang away from each other.
    “You didn’t find who?” Her voice came out shaky, even a little husky and she risked a glance toward Alex, who watched her from beneath lowered lashes. The seductive expression on his face made her think of satin sheets and naked skin.
    No! She needed to stop this. It was ridiculous.
    “The perpetrator you told me about. I looked up and down both sides of the street, couldn’t find anyone.” Johnny shook his head, resting his hands on his hips in that annoying wide-leg stance he had.
    Annoying? When had she ever thought of Johnny as annoying before?
    “Well, thank you for looking, Johnny. I appreciate it.” She smiled at him, hoping he’d get the hint and leave but he didn’t. He just stood there watching both of them with a goofy grin on his face.
    Standing next to the giant Alex, Johnny looked downright puny. Like a boy compared to a big strapping man. What had she ever seen in him?
    “ Wanna grab some dinner tonight after my shift ends?” Johnny shuffled his feet, glancing down at the floor. “I thought Luberman’s sounded good.”
    This was the moment she’d been waiting weeks for. Johnny had been coming by the shop off and on for almost two months and she’d laid it on thick, hoping he would ask her out on a date. Now that the time was here, her automatic urge was to turn him down.
    All because Alex was watching her with narrowed dark brown eyes, his full lips pulled tight into a slight frown. He didn’t look pleased with Johnny’s attempt at asking her out on a date.
    “What do you say, Celeste?” Johnny finally looked up, his expression hopeful though his body was tense, as if waiting for her to say no.
    Her mouth opened, her gaze sliding toward Alex—but he answered for her.
    “She’s going out with me. Tonight. For dinner.”
    “Huh?” Johnny’s mouth hung open, his arms dropping to his sides. He looked from Alex to Celeste in disbelief. “Do you even know this guy’s name?”
    “Well, yes, I know Alex.” She smiled, her tummy tingling at the thought of going out to