So I am saying oh my today... As the 100,000 copy of Spoilt was downloaded today, I’m feeling awestruck.

 

As she went to open the door to the station, it came away in her hand and she found herself face-to-face - well more like face-to-chest - with someone leaving the precinct.

She looked up and up, to set eyes on a tall, broad-shouldered man whom she assumed was a policeman. His dark wavy hair was longish and dishevelled. His chiselled, handsome face held an intense expression and the look in his hazel eyes was … she didn’t know what that was. He looked almost dazed.

He seemed for a moment to stare at her before his face become blank and he cleared his throat.

“Is there something I can help you with? I’m a detective here.” His voice was deep and soothing. Chelsea realised she was the one now staring at him. Those intense hazel eyes bewildered her already uneasy mind as she struggled to piece together her words.

Lucas gazed down into her face. Lust rushed through him and his mind went blank. Only one lingering thought remained. Wow! He gave her another once over and his eyes become locked to the vulnerable expression on her face.  Wow!

Eyes the colour of emeralds peered up at him. Her long, dark hair fell in waves past her shoulders. Her smooth, milky skin was calling him to reach out and stroke her face. She was petite. She was exquisite. He felt an overwhelming need to protect her, a concept foreign to him. Her anxious expression brought forth feelings long since forgotten. He wanted to grab her and … Sheer electricity.

“I...I...hope so. I’m worried about my friend, my roommate. She seems to have gone missing.” Her voice was so soft he almost didn’t hear her.

Great. He needn’t let her go just yet. “Come with me. We’ll write up a report,” he suggested, as his professional radar switched itself on - another missing girl. At least that was still working. He could scarcely concentrate in her presence. Thankfully, the previous day the two missing girls resembling the recent victims had returned home unharmed. Was this another false alarm?

“Um, thanks,” she murmured. 

She followed his lanky frame towards a room down the hall. Everything inside her was on fire. His broad, strong shoulders and amazing eyes did incredible things to her. She suddenly found it difficult to breathe, or to stand.

He’s just a guy, Chelsea. You’ve been alone too long.

Still, try as she might, she couldn’t ignore whatever this feeling was.  Emotions she couldn’t recall ever experiencing before flurried inside her like a swarm of tiny butterflies. The confidence oozing from him rendered her incapable of rational thought.

Totally amazed by the impact she was having on every one of his senses, Lucas attempted desperately to get himself back under control. She’s just another beautiful girl. He saw them every day. But, he couldn’t bury his urgent need to protect her, which was the totally opposite reaction to what usually occurred when he saw a pretty face. 

As they walked into the interview room, his hand shook as he gestured for her to take a seat. Lucas took out a pen clumsily, placed a notepad on the table and sat opposite her.