Page 49 of Never To Be Mine

“What? No.” I felt my face flush. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“You were looking at him like he was dessert. Actually, better than dessert. You didn’t look at that chocolate mousse the way you looked at Sebastian.”

“I did not.”

“You absolutely did.” He was grinning now, clearly enjoying this. “I thought you were going to ask him to sign your chest.”

“Oh my God, shut up.” I smacked his arm. “I was just… starstruck. That’s normal. He’s famous.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I’m serious. Anyone would react that way.”

“I know you’ve never looked at me the way you looked at Sebastian,” he said, and there was something in his voice that made me glance up at him.

“Are you jealous?” I asked in surprise, eyes widening.

“No.” He paused. “Maybe.”

I stared up at him. The elevator seemed to shrink around us, the air growing thick. My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could see it right through my dress.

“You shouldn’t be,” I whispered.

His eyes locked on mine. I saw the exact moment his control snapped.

He leaned down and kissed me.

His lips were surprisingly soft. One hand cupped my cheek and the other went to the back of my neck. I kissed him back and tasted the chocolate when my lips parted and his tongue slipped into my mouth. I grabbed his shoulders and held on.

It was everything I’d told myself I didn’t want. And it was perfect.

The kiss deepened, turned hungry. My back hit the elevator wall and I didn’t care. I just wanted more of this. More of him.

The elevator dinged.

I jerked back, my eyes flying open. The doors were sliding apart, revealing my floor.

I stared at him, unable to form words. My lips felt swollen. My entire body buzzed.

Hollis was staring at me, his chest rising and falling rapidly, his hair mussed where my fingers had tangled in it.

I stumbled backward out of the elevator, my legs shaky. The doors started to close.

Our eyes met one last time through the narrowing gap. There was shock in his eyes.

Then the doors shut, and he was gone.

I stood in the hallway, my hand pressed to my mouth, my mind reeling.

What the hell had just happened?

I fumbled with my key card, finally getting the door open and practically falling into my room. I leaned back against the door, my heart still racing.

Hollis Blackwell had just kissed me.

And I’d kissed him back.

And it had been the best kiss of my entire life.