In Love with a Stranger Read Online Free Page B

away.
    I’d been plied with English accents for the past few days, causing random memories to pop up like mad. Then there was Mr. Greyson, I didn't know what it was about him. I’d nearly thrown myself into his arms, when I’d returned his phone to him, and I’d hated when he’d set me right and let go of me. I wanted him to touch me again. He was a complete stranger, and the way my body had vibrated when we’d touched was just shocking. I’d never felt anything like it before.
    I wondered if that was what being attracted to a person really felt like. He was devastatingly handsome. So much so that my instincts were telling me to run, that he'd only hurt me if I spoke to him, but his touch, his odd captivating touch, erased my apprehension. It was ridiculous, really. The man lived on another continent. I knew I was setting myself up for trouble. My insides twisted with fear, and my mind flashed to another time. I remembered the man I’d run away with, but not really. I suddenly remembered the café…
    I sat alone, glancing at my bus ticket to Silver Springs. I had another three hours before it was time to go home. I had two boxes and my suitcase. That was all I had left from my life in the dorms. I thought it was so little, and my life was so unplanned at this point. I had a degree, but no prospects. I was going home to live with my father, with only two boxes and a suitcase to show for my years of hard work. My dad had been so proud of me when I’d graduated, but once I realized how bleak the job market was, I felt as if I’d failed him. I was supposed to grow up and do great things, but I was returning home instead, back to the beginning, with my two boxes and my suitcase.
    " Is this seat taken?" The accent in his voice made me blush. Just those few words made me swoon a little. I looked up to see he was turned away from me, waving a waitress over.
    " No, you're welcome to it."
    He sat down across from me, but my eyes stayed on my lap, too shy to look up. I saw his fingers slide my bus ticket to his side of the table. "Hannah Madison is headed to Silver Springs, Nevada. I've never heard of it."
    " Most people haven't," I nearly whispered.
    " Would you tell me about it?"
    I looked up to see if he was serious, but he’d turned again and was asking for a menu. His foot bumped my suitcase, knocking it over, and he scrambled to catch it.
    When he turned back, he was looking down, his ears were tinged red, and I knew he was blushing. "I'm so sorry."
    " No, it's fine, there's nothing to be sorry about."
    " I'm usually not so awkward."
    " Well, I am, so you'll fit in at my table just fine."
    There had been more, I knew there had been more, but that was where my memory stopped, and I hated that even in this new memory, I didn't get to see his face. My subconscious was teasing me, and I hated it. I was so close to seeing him, his long fingers, and his taut back. His hair color was so close to Mr. Greyson's that it was disturbing. I was worried my sudden infatuation with him was based solely on the memory of another man.
    From what my father had told me, I’d run away with a British man who’d lived in the states, obviously in New York. Mr. Greyson didn't live in the states, and most likely never had, since his business was established so deeply in Britain. I had to keep the poor man at arm's length, so I didn't wrongfully get his hopes up. It wouldn't be fair to him if I pushed my feelings for another man onto him. He wasn't my mystery love, and I needed to tread lightly, so neither of us got hurt.
     
    WILLIAM
    It was three weeks later when Duncan called Carter Harper to discuss expanding our contract with Mr. Harper’s company and set up a time for all of us to meet for negotiations. I’d been pushing for the expansion, needing a legitimate excuse to show up on Mr. Harper’s doorstep and ask for his sister's information. I didn't want to look like a stalker, but I was dying to be one. I had to see this Mary Harper