Page 60 of Brighter Together

I laugh.

Then Ella looks at me from beneath her lashes.

“There is one thing.”

I narrow my eyes. “What?”

“We should probably establish a baseline.”

I stare at her.

“You cannot possibly be talking about data.”

“Good research requires it.”

“What sort of baseline?”

She bites her lip.

My eyes drop straight to her mouth.

The little minx knows exactly what she’s doing.

“That kiss on Friday was promising.”

“Promising?”

“Very promising.”

I turn slightly towards her. “I feel like I’m being reviewed.”

“You are.”

“And what score did I get?”

“I don’t know yet. I need more evidence.”

I laugh under my breath. “You really are enjoying this.”

“Immensely.”

I bring her hand towards me and press my thumb against the inside of her wrist.

Her pulse jumps beneath it.

“So you want another kiss for scientific purposes?”

“Obviously.”

“Very responsible.”

“I thought so.”

I lean closer.

Then stop.

Ella’s gaze stays on mine, her teasing smile fading into something warmer.