Perfect for You

creepy, but somehow it was nice. Comfortable. "I have a proposition for you," she said as she finished. "You cook for me and I'll clean up."
    "No." He stood up.
    "Please." She batted her eyes and made the puppy face that always made her sister cave.
    "No." He took her bowl and then guided her out of the kitchen with a hand on the small of her back.
    His touch felt right. She grinned. She knew it. And soon she'd feel that hand all over her body.
    He held out her coat so she could slip into it. "I'll walk you to your car."
    "Okay," she said eagerly, not because she needed the protection but because it meant she'd be with him that much longer. "I'm this way."
    He frowned when he saw the junk bucket she drove. Whatever—it was all she could afford for now. It got her around safely.
    She faced him. "When do I get to see you again?"
    "This will not happen again."
    Yes, it would. "I have one more question for you."
    He sighed. "Just one more."
    "What's your name?"
    He blinked at her, and then his lips curved into a slow amused smile that took her breath away. "Max Corazao."
    "Anna Godwin." She held out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Max Corazao."
    He took her head. Before he could withdraw, she stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. His skin rasped against hers, making her shiver. She breathed him in. Delicious.
    Happy, she stepped back. "Thanks again, Max."
    She got into the car. As she pulled out, she looked in her rearview mirror, satisfied by the befuddled expression on his face.
    He was totally hers.

 
Chapter Eight
     
     
    To: [email protected]
    From: [email protected]
    Subject: Your ad.
    Hi. I saw your ad and I thought we'd get along really well. My name is John. I'm 5'11" and I have brown eyes. I have most of my hair. I have an excellent relationship with my mom. In fact, I still live with her.
    Maybe we could get coffee sometime?
    --------------------------------------------
    To: [email protected]
    From: [email protected]
    Subject: Hey Baby
    When I saw your ad on craigslist I knew we were destined to meet. So I checked with my astrologer and she said because Venus was in my first house it was a good time to contact you.
    Here I am, baby.
    Are you a Taurus? I feel like maybe you are. Just so you know, I'm highly compatible with Taureans.
    Email me.
    Blessings,
    Rolf
    --------------------------------------------
    To: [email protected]
    From: [email protected]
    Subject: Hello there.
    I was so intrigued by your ad I had to email you. I don't usually do this, but there's always a first time. :)
    My name is Lynn. I suppose you want to know what I look like, right? I'm just over six feet tall and slim in build. I'm not Brad Pitt, but I can hold my own.
    I'm a sculptor—yes, I make a living as an artist. I also play bass in a band but that's just a hobby. I'm ashamed to say that I really love reading philosophy. :)
    I expect you'll email me back, but you can't really know if you click with a person until you meet. So I'd like to propose a museum outing one afternoon. What do you say?
    Lynn
    --------------------------------------------
    To: [email protected]
    From: [email protected]
    Subject: One more thingÉ
    I guess I should tell you one other thing about me. I'm currently undergoing some changes in my life. Big changes, but good ones. I haven't had the sex change operation yet, but it's scheduled for next month.
    Anyway, I hope we can get together. I have a good feeling about you.
    Lynn (again)
    --------------------------------------------
    To: [email protected]
    From: [email protected]
    Subject: yo
    you sound hot. want to hook up?
    --------------------------------------------
    "No." Freya hit Delete, set her laptop aside, and flopped back onto her bed.
    Today at work, Charles had cornered her and given her an ultimatum: initial mockups in one month, or else. And Charles really meant it when he said "or else."
    The thing was, she wasn't any closer to feeling sexy than she was a week ago. She'd had the ad on craigslist for several days, and so far she'd only attracted freaks.
    If she were being honest, she'd admit that the there'd been a moment when she'd felt that spark she used to have, and it'd been at the Ethiopian restaurant with Cavanaugh.
    Honesty was overrated.
    It was only four days since she'd put the ad online. She needed to give it time.
    Only she didn't have time.
    She pounded the mattress