I didn’t understand what I was feeling. I’d never met the man standing in front of me, but there I was feeling like a schoolgirl standing on the playground when her crush walks up.

“What’s your name?” the attractive man asked in a low, throaty growl. His voice was sexy as hell and made my knees weak. It was almost hypnotizing. As a matter of fact, it was so hypnotizing that I didn’t even realize he was talking to me at first.

“Me? Oh, hi, I’m good, thanks.” I’m good? What the hell was I doing? “I mean Alexa. My name’s Alexa.”

Yes, I was that smooth. I couldn't believe how stupid I had just sounded in front of that man. He asked me what my name was and I replied that I was doing good? What in the hell was my problem? All I could was look down at the floor, embarrassed that I’d just made a fool of myself.

I figured I’d probably just ruined that before it even got started. Surely, he must have thought I was an idiot. Eventually, I got the nerve to look back up at him and could feel my cheeks burning with a rosy glow that only blushing could create. When our eyes met again, it felt as though he was staring directly into my soul. His eyes were dark, and his face was rough, yet still very attractive at the same time.

His face was scruffy and looked as if he hadn’t shaved in at least a week. That wasn’t a problem as far as I was concerned because I’ve always liked a man with some facial hair. He was also big. Massive would be a word that would describe him well. He towered over me, which was another plus in my book. If there was a guy who could make me feel safe and secure in his arms, I had no doubt it would be Nick. He was more than a little intimidating though, and I’d never been around someone quite like that.

He had dark brown hair. It was thick and a little longer than I typically liked, but it seemed to work for him. It curled just over the top, giving him an unexpected dose of boyish cuteness, even though it was clear that he was all man. Before I knew what I was doing, I found my eyes scanning up and down his body again.

Get yourself together Alexa. He’s already caught you checking him out once. You’re acting like a horny bimbo, and the only thing you know about this man is his name.

I was trying to get a handle on what my problem was. I never acted like that around a man, especially after what I had been through. My last few relationships had ended badly, and the last thing I wanted to do was get involved in another one. Yet, there I was, drawn to this handsome stranger, which was entirely out of character for me. I had no idea what it was, but there was something about him. When my eyes returned to his face, he was still looking at me.

What the hell am I supposed to do now?

I was afraid of once again saying something stupid, so I held my breath so nothing could escape my lips. I don’t think Nick knew quite what to make of me, so he curled his lip slightly before looking away.

What was that all about? Did he just smile at me? Was he grinning because I’m acting like an idiot? Nice, Alexa. Real nice.

I glanced over in Kim’s direction in hopes that she would give me a little bit of backup and help me out of the situation I found myself in. Instead, she smiled a knowing smile in my direction. The wink that followed the smile told me that she could read my mind like a book. She knew that I knew I was making a fool of myself. She could also tell I was attracted to Nick. After all, she had seen some of the guys I’ve dated in the past.

Not only could she tell, but she also thought it was hilarious. She was fighting back laughter, complete with tears in her eyes. If it weren’t for her being my best friend, I’d wonder why I hung out with her at all.

I couldn’t believe how quickly my heart was beating. I could actually hear my pulse in my ears. It was ringing so loud that I didn’t have a clue what Kim and Curtis had been saying to one another. Before I knew it, Nick and Curtis were exiting the room, leaving me relieved yet disappointed.

“What in the world was that?” Kim asked, still trying to prevent herself from breaking out in laughter.

“What was what?” I responded, hoping that I could play dumb and make it believable enough for her not to grill me. It didn’t work.

“Don’t even try to play that off. That was the opposite of smooth you know.”

“I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about,” I insisted as I grabbed my purse and coat. “The only thing I know about right now is the fact that those roads look like they’re getting back out there so I should be heading home.”

“Mm-hm, I’m sure.”

“You stop that,” I told her, my face blushing. “Are our plans for tomorrow still on?”

“As long as the plows get out here and do their thing on time. Do me a favor and call me when you get home, so I know you got there safe.”

“I always do. Talk to you soon.”

“Okay, bye you smooth stalker.”

I made my way out into the cold winter night. The chill in the air bit through me instantly and I was surprised by how much the temperature had dropped since I arrived that afternoon. The snow was really coming down from the sky, and the visibility was easily less than a quarter mile. Everything around me was covered in white, and it was beautiful. I inhaled deeply, allowing the crisp, refreshing air to fill my lungs.

Everyone has always thought I was weird, but I love the cold. Most people will tell you that their favorite season is spring or summer, but that just isn’t true for me. I love winter.

I was jealous that Kim and Curtis got to live out in the country. They had their own little spot away from anyone and anything, and it’s always so peaceful at their house. It was a stark contrast to the small apartment that I lived in. I was living on an assistant manager salary at the convenience store that I worked at, so I didn’t make nearly enough for a place like that. That would change one day.

My job might have sucked, but there was a reason for my being there. I started as a regular cashier, but because of my work ethic, I was on the fast track that almost nobody was ever placed on. Within a few years, I’d be a general manager with multiple stores under me. That would make all the grinding more than worth it.

I didn’t just use needing to get home as an excuse to get out of an embarrassing situation. The weather was really getting bad, and I knew it was only going to get worse. As the night wore on, the snow was just going to pile up even more. I got into my SUV and backed carefully out of the driveway, my mind still thinking about the man I’d met just moments before.

From what Kim and Curtis had told me, it seemed like he was going to be hanging around for a while, which meant I was sure to see him again, especially when you consider how much time I spent at that house. At least, seeing him again was what I was hoping for.

There was just one thing I was worried about. I’ve always heard that you only get one chance to ever make a first impression. If that statement was indeed true, I might be in big trouble. The only thing I could hope for was to make my second impression so good that he’d completely forget about the first. I was sure that I wouldn’t be able to do any worse.

It took me forever to drive home in the snow, which gave me a lot of time to think, particularly about the way Nick’s eyes pierced straight into me. For the first time in ages, a man was giving me butterflies in my stomach. I couldn’t remember the last time any man made me feel that way.

One of the things that attracted me most to him was the fact that he was so big and strong. I was sure that if you were to look up the word manly in the dictionary, Nick’s picture would be there. Just thinking about him started to make me wet. I squeezed my thighs together. I just needed to make it through the ride home. I could take care of myself once I got there.