MY SWEET GIRL

"Can I help you with that?"

Nicky jumped, dropping the box of books he held in his hands. It crashed to the ground, books spilling all over.

Nicky's hand fluttered at his neck as he looked into the deepest, darkest chocolate-brown eyes he'd ever seen.

"I'm sorry," the man said. "I didn't mean to scare

you."

"No, that's okay. You just startled me." Nicky tried to give the man a smile but his heart raced a million miles a minute. He wasn't sure if it came from the man's sudden appearance or by the fact that the man was simply drop

dead gorgeous.

Nicky squatted down and began piling books back into the box. He glanced over when the man did the same.

He had a generous mouth, an aquiline nose. His handsome face kindled with a sort of passionate beauty. He was simply gorgeous.

"Calling Dr. Love?" the man mused as he looked at a book held in his hand. He reached for a few more books.

"Teacher's Pet, Unnecessary Roughness, A Man's Best Friend," he said as he read the title on each book. "You seem to have a lot of books by G.A. Hauser. Is he any good?"

Nicky blanched, grabbing the books quickly out of the man's hand and shoving them into the box. "Yes," he whispered. "She is very good."

"She?" The man chuckled. "A woman writes these books?"

Nicky snickered at the surprised look on the man's face until he noticed him looking down at the covers, the very hot covers with sexy men displayed on them. Nicky felt his face flush. He grabbed the rest of books and piled them into the box.

"Yes, a woman writes these books." Nicky grabbed the box and stood to his feet. The man also stood, making Nicky realize he was several inches taller but not so tall that Nicky couldn't see his face easily.

"Thank you for your help," Nicky said as he scooted around the man. "If you'll excuse me, I have a lot more boxes to bring in."

"I'd be happy to help."

"No, thank you."

"Nonsense," the man said as he lifted a box into his arms and started following Nicky into his apartment. "What are neighbors for?"

Nicky had a few ideas but none of them would come to see the light of day. His present situation didn't allow him to get involved with anyone, no matter how much he'd like to. Besides, Nicky doubted the man was truly interested in him.

"My name is Seth," the man said, "Seth Leighton."

"Nicky."

"You'll like it here, Nicky" Seth said. "This is a

good neighborhood, quiet. The people here are very friendly." The man chuckled. "Well, except for maybe Mrs. Ferguson. She lives down in 2B. You might want to stay away from her. She can get a mite riled on occasion."

Nicky nodded as if he understood a thing the man said. It wasn't like he would be getting involved with anyone, let alone Mrs. Ferguson in 2B. Nicky didn't have plans to get to know any of his neighbors, not even the sexy

one standing before him. It just wasn't safe.

"You don't say much do you?" Seth asked. He

shook his head a little. "I never met a woman that didn't talk your ear off."

Nicky flushed as he looked down at the faded

denim shorts and simple white v-neck cotton shirt he wore.

The pink nail polish on his toenails shined brightly on his flip flops. They matched the nail polish on his long acrylic fingernails.

Nicky knew the carefully applied makeup on his face and the sandy blond hair that fell in curly waves down his back only added to his disguise. He looked just like a woman. And didn't that suck?