Luv Shuv in New York (Luv Shuv, #1)

by N.M. Patel

Before I could focus more on her or her blinding fashion choices,

Ha! What a completely American thought lol

In the last two weeks, Akira had worn bright-colored tops with blue jeans, dresses with prints of big flowers, cats, lines, hearts, and even sushi. Every day was a surprise, and sometimes I was horrified by her outfits, and other days I couldn’t stop staring at her.

I love how this man is so bafled by how vibrant she is

“What do you mean by childhood home? And these are my family. We all live together.” Holy fuck. That was fifteen people. And I couldn’t believe she lived with her family up until now.

I would love this

I noticed a Frappuccino in a Starbucks cup beside my laptop. I was about to hold the cup and holler out to ask if someone had a missing frap when Sam informed me, “I got it for you.”

Okay. Sam is officially on my cinnamon roll hero list

I gave myself one moment to breathe. One moment of that blissful warmth. Just one more second. And before he could hug me back, I let him go.

Luke got this big, stupid smile on his face. “Akira? Who’s that? She hot?” The moment he saw my glare, he shut up and asked me to proceed. So, I told him. Everything. How she wore the loudest colors, the way she got excited about something like Starbucks, her huge family, her nonstop talking, us working together in the studio until late at night, and her regular disappearance from the studio that had been bothering me. By the time I was done, Luke and I had finished off three beers each. He got this serious look on his face. “Sam, I haven’t seen you go crazy over someone in a long time.” Like I didn’t know that. “Nah, man. We’re just good friends,” I claimed. Luke snorted loudly. “Have you looked at yourself in the mirror, man? We’ve been friends for years, and I’ve never seen you like this over a girl. You fucking blushed when you started talking about this girl.”

Our gazes never strayed. I saw the heat in her eyes, the desperation, the desire. But I also saw the hesitation. So, I touched her hand. Just for a second. Just a graze. I allowed that to myself. “Good night, Akira.” I clenched my fist so I wouldn’t pull her into my arms and kiss her. I looked at her for a second longer, turned around, and walked home.

The piningggggggggggggggggg!

But the moment Akira turned around to walk ahead of me to get down the steps, I saw it. Her. Entire. Fucking. Back. Was. Bare. The blouse. It was completely backless. Only two strings held that thing together. I could see the entire line down her back, and it might be the sexiest thing that I’ve ever seen. My throat dried up, and I was pretty sure my jaw was hanging open. It was at that moment when she turned and caught me checking her out. She raised her eyebrows.

“There’s nothing in the back," I stupidly pointed out. She laughed. “No shit, Sherlock.”

That’s when my eyes met Akira’s across our circle. And my world stopped. She became the focus. Just her. She’d never looked happier.

I ran my hands in Sam’s hair and kissed him. Sam was quiet while I kissed along his neck. His sex-soaked smell renewed my arousal, and I kissed him more. I don’t think I can feel this with another person ever again, I thought. It was both terrifying and utterly exhilarating.

Before entering, I turned around and looked at my family, tears in their eyes but acceptance and encouragement too.

This feels very much her family giving a “nobody puts baby in the corner” moment and I love it so freakin much. (I really hope we get her brothers and cousins HEA books)