Gemotions

"Coffee?" The soft question from behind made Clara jump, and a wave of warmth washed over her. It was Mr. Petrocelli, the new neighbor, holding a silver tray laden with pastries and steaming coffee. He'd recently purchased the sprawling mansion across the street. Clara, normally composed, felt her cheeks burn.

His eyes, she noticed, were the color of melted chocolate, and his smile sent a jolt down her spine. The way his tailored suit draped across his broad shoulders was… distracting.

She took a sip of the coffee, its bitterness a counterpoint to the sweetness that was blooming inside her. The proximity, the unexpected kindness, was exhilarating. Her voice seemed trapped in her throat as she thanked him, her gaze flitting to the manicured lawn.

As he walked away, she felt a delicious pressure build in her chest.