Spark by Jennifer Ryder Page A

My eyes are glued.
    “Hi,” I say shyly.
    “Hey. Nice to meet you, Genevieve.”
    “Please … call me Eevie.” I say, and smile.
    “Eevie, then,” he says in a deep head-swirling voice, and my God, my name has never sounded so sexy. Swoon! “Here, let me give you girls a hand with these bags.” How thoughtful .
    Aidan picks up a couple of heavy bags, and Crystal and I take what we can. We carry them over to the building, and Crystal unlocks the entry door, holding it open for us.
    Aidan heads up the stairs first. I take the opportunity to unsuspectingly watch this mysterious, ridiculously good-looking stranger as he walks a few steps in front. I turn to Crystal and mouth oh my God to her, trying not to get caught as he reaches the next landing. Crystal flashes me a wide grin before opening the door to our apartment. We dump the bags on the kitchen bench, and I head back to the front door and open it.
    “I’ll grab some more,” I say.
    “I’ll help,” Aidan says, standing close behind me. Any closer, we’d be touching. He smiles. That is what I call a smile … Come on legs, move! “We can manage the rest Crystal,” Aidan says looking back at her.
    I take my time down the stairs while Aidan catches up. I swear I can feel his eyes on me the whole time. The thud of his work boots echo throughout the stairwell, becoming louder as we reach the foyer. As I bend down to put the wedge under the main door, so we don’t have to be buzzed back in, he is right behind me, holding it open. The hairs on the back of my neck stiffen, and for a moment I have to really think about what I’m supposed to be doing. Like, putting one foot in front of the other. For someone I have just met and barely said two words to, Aidan has my heart pounding harder, and butterflies bouncing around my stomach like they’re on speed.
    We walk to the car in silence, but there is this tension between us. It’s not uncomfortable, it’s more like, I don’t know … excitement? I wonder if he notices it, too.
    I gather a couple of bags, and Aidan takes the last two. A few apples have come loose, and are right up the back. I move in to reach them, and he puts his arm in front of me to stop me.
    “I’ll get those.” He puts his bags on one arm, and leans right in to reach the stray fruit. As he does, I can’t take my eyes off the muscular lines of his back, or that toned-to-perfection arse beneath those tight jeans. I picture running my hand through his hair, down his neck, the middle of his back, and squeezing said toned arse.
    Where the hell did that come from ? I need to get a grip, and not of him.
    I close the boot of the car, and we walk over to the building.
    “After you,” he says politely, and I walk in front. I can sense him grinning at me … that same cheeky smirk he had on his face when he was sitting on the bonnet of his car. I’m not sure if he’s being a gentleman, letting me walk up the stairs first, or if he’s checking me out.
    His eyes flick from my waist to meet my eyes at each landing on the way up, the smirk on his face giving away what I suspected. I am so glad I have some decent jeans on … how embarrassing if I was wearing my usual Sunday daggy track-pants.
    Crystal waits with the door open, and smiles as we enter the apartment. “You guys took your time,” she says in jest.
    I frown at her, and give her a what’s-that-supposed-to-mean glare as I walk past . I decide not to say anything.
    “Do you wanna drink, Aidan?” Crystal asks, as he puts the remaining bags in the kitchen. “I think we’ve got some Coronas.”
    “Yeah, thanks. I’d better hang around and talk Rob through how to install this part. He’ll have no clue, otherwise.” Aidan moves into the lounge area, and looks around the apartment.
    “Beer, Eevie?” Crystal asks, as she opens the fridge.
    “No thanks. I’m off for a run. I’ll see how I feel when I get back.”
    “Are you girls happy with the new place?” Aidan asks, as