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“If it wasn’t for the deal. If it wasn’t for Mom.”
With a groan—it’s a noise that says,I can’t hold back anymore—he guides his lips to mine. I tell myself I’m supposed to be pissed, determined tonotkiss him, but the second I feel the contact, my resolve burns to dust. Burning is appropriate, too, since that’s what this feels like. He places his hand on my leg, then ends the kiss shakily.
“See, that’s another reason I should try to be good. You’re too damn tempting.”
“So, when we’re at the restaurant, we can’t do this?”
I’m not sure where this confidence comes from, except that I’m lightheaded after the kiss, my heart pumping as if urging me to let go of the nerves. Fine, things aren’t exactly simple. We have a lot to think about, but here in the car, it’s only us.
I lean forward, kissing him again. His lips shape into a smile, as if he approves, before our mouths open and we sink into the familiar feeling. Familiar, yeah, but each kiss has a spark of newness, too.
His hand squeezes against my pant leg, then slides higher. I reach down, touching his wrist and stopping him. With more crazy confidence, I pull himtowardme, driven by the heat between my legs. It’s the memory of yesterday, the promise contained within his touch.
“Sir, we’ll be arriving at the restaurant in five minutes.” The driver’s voice comes over the intercom.
Jacob and I pull away from each other.
“Our first proper date,” he says with a grin.
I reach up and touch his face. “I remember a time when I never thought I’d see this face smile.”
“Well, we only met recently…”
“Yeah, but I’ve been crushing—”
I bite down. I’m gettingtoocomfortable now.
He raises an eyebrow. “Don’t be shy.”
I’ve gone too far, but I press on.
“I had a crush on you pretty much as soon as Mom became your assistant. I didn’t know who you were, but then I looked you up online. I never thought anything would come of it. I never thought we’dmeet, and if we did, I assumed you’d look right through me.”
“Impossible,” he growls. “You’re too beautiful, for one, but it’s not just that. It’s your energy too, Maddie. There’s an aura around you… It’s hard to explain without sounding like I’ve turned into a hippy.”
“No, I get it,” I say quickly. “I felt it, too, the first time we met.”
He takes my hand in his. After maybe thirty seconds, a question occurs to me. It was niggling at me last night as I was trying to fall asleep.
“Why do I get the sense there’s something you want to say?” he asks.
I laugh in pure delight. “How did you know?”
“I’m starting to be able to read you, Maddie.”
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s something. Don’t worry. I won’t turn into a cold jerk again.”
“Whydidyou do that?” I ask.
“Nope. I asked first.”
“Nah-uh.” I nudge him in the side. “You have to answer, or I’ll invent a bunch of horrible stuff in my head. I’ll imagine you did it because you really hate me deep down. You’re tricking me. Something awful like that.”
“Jesus. Is your mind always such a traitor?”
“It’s my worst enemy, for sure.”
