Pick-Up Lines, Clichés and Missing Socks (not in that order)+

“Damn you! That was my lucky pair! Why must you be such a –”1

“Excuse me, miss, are you having a problem with our dryers?” a masculine voice came, stopping her mid-shout. She turned to look at him, finding an older, shorter, much wrinklier man than she’d expected.2

Blinking, she realized how she looked. Her hair was a mess and wasn’t brushed, she was dressed in a baggy sweatshirt and sweatpants and she was shouting at a dryer. Crazy and insane were a few words that came to mind. She winced and murmured an apology. “I’m sorry. The stupid dryer ate one of my lucky socks.”3

The man smiled, but it wasn’t an easy smile. It was a shaky what-do-I-say-now kind of smile. She felt bad for the guy, but what could she do? Everything was so screwed up.4

Not only did she find her best friend – now ex-best friend – wrapped up in the arms of her fiancé – how cliché, she thought over again – but she’d lost her job because someone had ruined her presentation to their sort-of-interested client. Then only yesterday did she find out that her mother and father were separating and her baby sister was having a baby at seventeen.5

She hadn’t freaked out at all, but kept her calm and cool like everyone expected her to … that is until the damn dryer ate her sock. Feeling ready to cry, she rubbed her nose and nodded again. “Sorry.”6

“Not a problem, miss,” he replied, “but I’m sorry to hear about your sock.”7

Finding that comical, she muffled a grin. The look on his face was grave, like she’d just lost someone close to her. Turning around, she ran straight into something hard.8

She gasped, stumbling backwards, only to be caught by two incredibly strong arms. Eyes wide open, she found herself staring at the most delicious, hot, masculine, beautiful man she’d ever seen. He was huge, standing at six feet, six inches, with big strong shoulders and a rock hard chest. His hair was a deep brown, his eyes nearly the same shade only closer to black and his expression was guarded and revealed nothing.9

“Oh!” she said, surprised. It amazed her. He had a thin, small scar right beside his eye and it made him seem even more dangerous. Without thinking about it, she commented, “You definitely work out.”10

He grinned, almost a boyish charm, and nodded. “You bet I do, honey.”11

That’s where she smiled, blushed and looked down. It always happened. Some guy would hit on her, and she’d get shy. Nodding, she murmured, “Yeah, uh, thanks for, you know, saving me, from like, falling.”12

Luna Kiss had always sucked at the flirting thing. As soon as someone flirted with her or even showed signs of flirtation, she immediately panicked and fumbled. Usually she lost.13

“Now, now, little missus don’t you go all shy on me. You were,” he paused and gave her a slanted smile, “doing find with the machine a few seconds ago. You know, not being shy.”14

She couldn’t help it; she let a smile reach her lips. “Then I’m going to have to ask you to remove your hands.”15

I’m getting too hot, she almost added.16

Blushing at such silly thoughts, she was grateful when he released her. Feeling slightly foolish, she turned back to her laundry and frowned at the dryer. He stood beside her, and when she glanced up at him – she had to stretch her neck way up because she was only five foot four – she realized he seemed to be thinking about something.17

“So, what do you think?” he asked softly.18

“Think about what?” she replied, turning to look back at the empty dryer. She could still feel the heat coming from it, and crinkled her nose at it.19

“Your missing sock,” he said as if it was the most obvious thing ever. She didn’t say anything for a moment, so he added, “Know where it went?”20

“Into this thing’s dang stomach, that’s where.” She frowned. He laughed.21

Feeling like her own stomach had just jumped into her throat; she shifted slightly, glancing at the floor. It was strangely comfortable. Usually it was completely awkward to talk to a stranger but for some reason she was quite relaxed.22

“So, now what?” she asked with a hint of humour in her voice. Glancing back up at him, she wondered what it’d be like to just … kiss a stranger. Seeing as she’d never been comfortable with strangers, she’d never had the guts to do it, but her friends used to do it.23

Luna remembered how her best friend, Remy, had fallen in love with this sexy, smooth stranger she’d kissed. So … why not kiss this stranger? Sighing, she pondered what it’d be like to plant one on his lips and then just walk out as if she did it everyday.24

He was so gorgeous though … and she wanted nothing more than to steal a taste.25

“Now … I wonder if I should ask for your number or walk away from what would probably be the best thing in my life,” he said, sounding very serious.26

She laughed this time and shook her head. “What a line. Too bad it won’t work on me. Try again.”27

“Okay, how about … did it hurt?” he asked.28

She grinned. “No, it didn’t hurt when I fell from heaven.”29

“Aw, c’mon, honey, give a man a break.” Then as if he suddenly got an idea, he walked away. Surprised, Luna watched him go over to the vending machine, punch in two buttons, and pull out a bag of Skittles®.30

She was confused and a little sad that he gave up so quickly, so she moved to her laundry and picked up a bra to toss into her basket.31

“I just ate some Skittles®, want to taste the rainbow?”32

She burst out laughing, surprised and pleased. “Okay, okay, Mr. Cheesy, where did you hear that pick-up line?”33

“Just made it up, special for you, babe,” he said, winking. “So, do you kiss strangers?”34

No. She didn’t kiss strangers and she definitely didn’t flirt with them. It wasn’t like her to practically come-on to a stranger. She couldn’t believe herself as she whispered, “No, why?”35

“In that case, I’m Damon Jackson.”36

He looked so serious, so cute, she laughed again. Nodding, she murmured, “Alright then, Damon, I’m Luna Kiss.”37

“Luna Kiss?” he echoed. “For real?”38

“Like I’m going to admit my mother was crazy and thought it’d be cool to name her daughter ‘Moon Kiss’ if it wasn’t really my name,” she muttered, but smiled anyway. “My mom was somewhat crazy.”39

“I think it’s perfect,” he murmured, smiling. “Moon Kiss – it suits you because your hair isn’t sun-kissed, but moon-kissed.”40

She blushed, and ducked her head as she grabbed some more laundry. “Thanks, I think.”41

“It was definitely a compliment, Moon. You’re gorgeous,” he said, grinning.42

“Um…”43

She didn’t think about it, but instead, turned and stood on her tip-toes. With that, she let a smile reach her lips as she murmured, “Now that I know you and you know me … we’re not really strangers, are we?”44

“No, we aren’t. Not really,” he said, and she glanced to see a smile on his lips.45

Her lips touched his.46

It wasn’t awkward, not like she’d thought it’d be. It was soft, filled with heat, but gentle. He didn’t push for more. No, she realized that Damon wouldn’t be like that. She didn’t know him, but considered herself a good judge of character. It didn’t matter that she’d just met him after making a fool out of herself, all that mattered was right then … right there.47

“Holy,” he whispered. She couldn’t feel her lips since they were numb. Then, slowly, one part of her body by one part, she felt her toes curl up with pleasure, her knees start to shake and her entire body melt as her lips sparked to life like an exploding firework.48

“No kidding,” she said, with a muffled laugh. “That was amazing. Want to do some more experimenting back at my place?”49

Oh my God, was her first thought, did I really just say that?50

Then … she didn’t know what her second thought was because he kissed her again and her mind started to go to mush. She giggled against the kiss, until he pulled away. “What’s so funny?”51

“I never do this. Like, ever,” she told him, “but I think I’ll be glad I did.”52

He pulled away from her to hold up her lucky sock. She narrowed her look at him and he explained, “I needed an icebreaker. I wanted to talk to you.”53

Before she could mutter the ‘awww’ that was at her lips, he captured her mouth and she moaned.54

“Bah, you kids! Get a room!” the old man said, shaking his head.55

(♥) (★) (♥)56