“And what makes you think that? Do you truly think I enjoy this? Enjoy the way you constantly push me and prod me?” she scoffed. “God, I hate that I cannot seem to stay away from you.”
“And I cannot stay away from you,” he murmured. “I do not want to.”
“And what if I want you to?” Jane breathed, her eyes searching his face.
“Tell me to leave, and I will leave right now.” His eyes met hers, and Jane took in the hardness of his face, the sharp line of his jaw, the serious set of his mouth. “But I do not think you will.”
“Why?” she asked, her heart still hammering in her chest.
“You, Jane, are not some gentle wallflower. You are like the sea in a storm, and no man will contain you.” He said her name, and it felt as though he had caressed her face, as though it were a physical touch. “You were not some river made to be damned, but the ocean made to be free. You will not tell me to leave because you do not want me to leave.”
“Why are you doing this, Blake? Why do you insist on challenging me at every turn?” Jane made to turn away from him, but he gently cupped her face in his hand.
“Tell me I am wrong.” Blake’s breath tickled the side of her face, the warmth of his hands seeming to spread across her skin.
“You are a fool,” Jane breathed.
“I may be a fool, but I know you. I want to know you.”
“You say that, but you do not mean it.” Jane rested a hand on his chest, marveling at his warmth. “You want to win. I am some prize that you wish to claim.”
“I am not playing games.” Blake shook his head. “I am simply speaking the truth.”
And before she could dismiss his words, he kissed her.
As soon as his lips brushed against hers, Jane felt as though her world had exploded. She felt as though her very soul was on fire. There was a wildness to his kiss, a passion that she had felt simmering beneath the surface, and now she recognized it.
She kissed him back, losing herself completely in the moment. The familiar smell of his cologne washed over her, and for a brief moment, she felt as if she could fly.
His hand cradled her cheek, and shivers raced through her entire body as his thumb stroked her supple skin.
She took a tiny step closer to him. She could feel the outline of his jacket, but just as he placed his large hand on the small of her back, a voice called her name.
They jumped apart, each breathing heavily. She could feel her heartbeat in her traitorous, swollen lips. Her cheeks were flushed as anxiety and happiness warred within her. She glanced at Blake, desperate to speak to him.
“Jane?” Emily called again, her voice growing closer.
If she finds us like this…
Jane glanced at Blake, who seemed just as dumbstruck as she was.
“Coming, Emily,” she called and rushed towards her sister, her mind still reeling from the kiss.
He kissed me.I kissed him.
She rounded the corner and grabbed her sister’s arm.
“Where have you been?” Emily asked curiously.
Jane shook her head. “I needed to clear my head.”
“Are you all right?” Emily surveyed her intensely.
“I am quite fine, thank you.” Jane avoided her gaze, absentmindedly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
When had that come loose?
“You look flushed.” Emily frowned at her.
