“I just told you something very personal about me. And let you read my articles. Spill it, Forrester.”
“Fine. But this is only a coincidence. I’m not a weirdo.”
“Oh,” she sat up straight. “This sounds intriguing.”
“It’s really not. I’ve just been considering a move to Seattle myself.”
“Is it because strange women yell at you in the park in Brooklyn?”
I laughed. “That was actually a highlight. And it gave me something to write about in my weekly column.” I gave her a cheeky grin. “But no. I just need something different. Something new that I can explore. I’ve started to feel…”
“Stifled?” she said, finishing my sentence.
I eyed her thoughtfully.
“Yes,” I said. “Exactly that.”
She nodded as if she understood.
“It’s a beautiful state with a lot to offer.” She peered at me. “I can totally see you there.”
“Yeah?”
“As soon as you grow out your hair again.”
“It’s growing!” I said and rubbed my jaw. “And the scruff is back.”
“I noticed.”
Her cheeks reddened and for a moment neither of us said anything.
“Well hey,” I said, getting to my feet. “I really should get home.”
“Of course,” Lior said.
We both stood at the same time and, in doing so, ended up standing inches from one another, the heat between us becoming something electric.
The quip on the tip of my tongue evaporated and I suddenly couldn’t speak, her close proximity overwhelming. For some reason, despite all my misgivings, in that moment every logical thought left my mind and all I could do was stare at her lips inches from mine.
She exhaled, a tiny puff of air that felt like a surrender, and then her lips were on mine.
I had no idea who moved first, and didn’t care. She tasted of snickerdoodles. Vanilla and sugar and cinnamon. And she kissed me so tentatively, with tiny laps of her tongue as if trying to figure me out mouth-first. It was maddening. And sexy as fuck. I wanted to press her against a wall and feel every inch of the body I’d glimpsed during our photo shoot before covering it with mine and having her so thoroughly, every wall she’d ever constructed would fall to pieces at our feet.
But a moment later I realized we were in front of the window. The window that faced the street. The window with curtains that were wide open.
“Shit,” I said, releasing her and taking a step back as I tried to catch my breath.
“Definitely not the most flattering review I’ve had of my kissing,” she said.
Her cheeks were bright pink and she was looking at my chest, not my face.
“Sorry,” I said. “It’s just?—”
“It’s fine. You don’t have to explain. It was an ill-thought-out moment.” She moved to the other side of the room, her entire demeanor turning defensive. “You should get going.”
“No, Lior?—”
“You don’t have to say anything. I swear,” she said. “It’s not a big deal. I?—"
