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between having a good time while tossing a few back and tossing a few back just to have a good time. I knew this well. Too well.
    I ignored that familiar feeling of burgeoning meltdown.
    It wasn’t your fault. Not your fault.
    My private affirmations were just enough to squelch the sensation of pending meltdown. I glanced down, trying to rein in my emotions. I could feel his eyes on me in a way that made me feel exposed, transparent.
    I cleared my throat and looked beyond the panorama of floor-to-ceiling glass windows to view the Manhattan skyline. It twinkled and shimmered, reminding me of how much I loved this city, especially at night.
    “Mind if I check it out?” Matt asked, jerking his head in the direction of the seemingly hidden glass door leading out to a large rooftop terrace. Ambient light coming from propane torches dotted the outdoor space, making it feel cozy in spite of its size. Low profile outdoor couches filled with plush pillows lined the perimeter of the glass wall enclosing the space.
    “Please,” Graham said with a nod.
    I watched Matt look curiously at the seamless glass panels, obviously unsure of how to get out.
    “Um,” he said glancing back at us. “I kind of feel like I’m stuck in a giant terrarium.”
    Goliath’s eyes twinkled and he smiled full on, displaying a set of dimples that were sure to incinerate panties—regularly. He reached over the bar and pressed a button in a panel that I hadn’t seen.
    A barely audible hum began emanating from the glass wall and one, two, three, four wide panels of glass slid to the side, creating four wide openings out to the terrace beyond.
    I drifted closer to one of the wide openings to the terrace to better admire the luxurious space, thinking that I could read out on that terrace for hours.
    I could feel him before I saw him join me where I stood. “I’d like to take you out some time.”
    “I’d like that too,” I admitted, feeling slightly shy. I chanced a glance up at the goliath man next to me and wondered what on earth compelled him to take interest in me.
    Sure, the physical attraction radiating between us was tangible, but it was no wonder. He was gorgeous. I, however, was unremarkable, really, and I was okay with that. Some women tried hard to impress others with their looks and that was fine, but it wasn’t me.
    I liked being sort of simple. I didn’t have a closet filled with gorgeous clothes. I didn’t have a killer athletic body because I never worked out. I was lucky that in terms of genetics, I had inherited my mother’s ability to stay lean without much effort.
    My hair was plain brownish-red and just to the middle of my back. My boobs were average, I guessed, though Matt had told me more than once that I had a “superb rack, biotch.”
    I had gray eyes like my father, the only attribute that I loathed. It was difficult to look in the mirror in to the gray eyes that had come from him and not see them bloodshot, which was the only way I recalled his.
    I frowned thinking of it and tried to shake off all thoughts of my father and anything to do with my upbringing.
    “So, should we exchange numbers?” I asked bravely, looking up at him.
    There was that twinkle again.
    So much trouble.
     

Graham
     
    Living Breathing Monster
     
    M y apartment felt painfully lonely after my night with Flor at Four-19. I’d spent a good amount of time wishing that she were here with me, sprawled on my bed.
    The fact that I was here alone made me want to go to my brother’s place to hang out and ground myself.
    Instead, I took a shower, got ready for bed and then just sat on the edge of my bed allowing my mind to wander.
    Her appeal went well beyond the fact that she was stunning. She seemed to have no idea that she was… intoxicating .
    Who needed a drink when you had a beauty like her to drink from—visually, at least. For now. Though, I had hoped to rectify that in the very near future if she’d allow me to.
    I didn’t just want to