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Yet how could she stop herself from being invested in a man like Jace? She’d never met his equal.
Jace strode around the car and opened her door. He helped her out, but neither of them moved. She leaned back against the car and looked up into his deep-brown eyes.
“Thank you, Jace,” she said, suddenly out of breath.
“For?” He lifted his hand and gently cupped the back of her neck with his warm palm. It was a lovely sensation and pushed away any thoughts of past pain, a famous ex-wife, gold bricks, danger, and her inability to trust a man. She wanted to grow closer to Jace, because of how great he was to her and how drawn she was to him.
“For getting me this rental house, teaching me to ski, taking me to dinner, being willing to help me, rescuing me over and over again.” She wrapped both arms around his lower back and let her natural impulsiveness take over. She’d tamped it down too often since Tim had died.
“You’re welcome,” he said, easing a few inches closer. “Do you think you’ll thank me after I kiss you?”
Her eyes widened, her heart thumped out of control, and she leaned toward him. Would his kiss light up her world and disintegrate all her past worries? If anyone could accomplish that, Jace could.
“Oh, you want me to thank you for giving me the most incredible kiss I’ve ever experienced?” She couldn’t believe she’d just said that. She loved flirting with him.
“Hmm.” He grinned, and his dark eyes were full of her. “The most incredible kiss of your life? You’ve already experienced it, or you’re about to?” He winked. “I just want to make sure you’ll remember this kiss.” He edged closer and slid both of his hands around her upper back.
“Oh, I’ll remember it.” She arched up toward him. “This is a kiss neither of us will ever forget.” She hoped she could fulfill her confident words. She hadn’t kissed anybody in three years.
He chuckled, but then he sobered and his soulful brown eyes smoldered with an intense desire … for her. She quivered with anticipation and her heart raced in the best way. “I’m sure you’re right,” he said.
Then their lips met.
No other words were needed. The kiss was tender, warm, and fulfilled a deep need she hadn’t even known existed. The air around them seemed to sparkle as her lips tingled from the pressure of his lips.
Jace’s kiss made her feel cherished and valued. Ayla clung to him and hoped she conveyed how impressive and irresistible he was. She didn’t want to leave him. Ever.
That thought had her pulling back and staring into his deep-brown eyes.
She would have to leave him. She wouldn’t have a choice.
He looked her over with a warmth and longing that stirred something deep inside her, something she thought she’d never feel again. She didn’t want to leave him. No matter how hard it might be, she wanted to trust and grow closer to this ultra-appealing man.
“Ayla.” Her name came out as a husky groan that made her knees weak.
She leaned against him, powerless to resist him.
He lifted her off her feet, captured her mouth with his, and heat exploded in the wintry night air. This kiss was powerful and all-consuming. Jace took command of her lips and her heart. Her head buzzed and she floated on a cloud of happiness and love.
Love?
Not love. Not yet. But they could easily be working toward love. Could she trust that Jace would never damage her trust and her love? She didn’t know yet, but every indicator showed Jace was a man worthy of her trust and love.
She pushed all the questions away and simply kissed and let herself be kissed. Thoroughly. Very, very thoroughly.
Jace’s phone rang, breaking the moment. He set her down on her feet but kept one arm around her.
“This is Klein,” he told her, out of breath and looking a little disoriented.
Ayla blinked, trying to bring order to her thoughts. Had she just thought the word “love” in that haze of happiness and craving for his lips to never leave hers?
Oh, heavens no. She couldn’t go there. She was only here for another day and a half, then she’d go back to her boring, predictable, no-Jace, no beautiful Christmas postcard valley life. The thought made her want to weep. Even if she could trust Jace, she couldn’t change either of their lives.
“Okay,” she managed, her voice revealing how unsteady she was. “Do you want to come inside and answer it?”
“Sure. If that’s okay with you?”
“It is.” She trusted him, in a lot of ways.
