Nova stopped and blinked up at him, the haze of anger and hurt that surrounded her moments before clearing.
Damn. She was guilty of doing exactly what Ulrich had tried to do to her. Making decisions for Torin without his input.
Torin used his hold on her to pull her closer. “What are we doing here, Nova?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “But I promise you, I’m not trying to play games with you. I don’t think I’ll be good for you, Torin.”
“You might be right, but don’t you think that’s for me to decide?”
“It is,” she agreed. “But it could also be messy and it could affect everyone who works with us.”
“The last time I checked, we were both adults who could behave in a rational, mature manner.”
“Yes.”
“So, I think we can both agree that if things don’t work out, we can remain friends. Or at the very least, civil with each other.”
“Torin, I’m not sure this is a good idea.”
“You know, I’m surprised at you. You strike me as the type of person who thinks bad ideas are more fun because of the potential for adventure.”
He smiled at the look on her face.
“That’s not fair because there’s no way I can argue with it.”
“Yeah, I think I remember you saying something about bad decisions being the most fun.”
“I don’t think I did,” she argued. “But it does sound like something ridiculous I would say.”
He pulled her even closer until their bodies were touching.
“I know that I can be uncompromising in a lot of ways,” he admitted. “But you can’t be successful as a chef or restauranteur without taking risks. I prefer calculated risks, but I’m not adverse to other types.” He released her arms to wrap his around her waist. “Take a risk with me, Nova.”
Her hands lifted to rest on his upper chest. His heart thumped painfully against his sternum, and he knew she could feel the way it sped up beneath her touch.
“Torin…” she said. But even as her tone was reluctant, her body leaned deeper into his.
To get the answer he wanted, Torin kissed her.
As she had before, Nova leaned completely against him, her hands coming up to curl around his neck, her fingers spearing through the hair at his nape. Her mouth opened beneath his, and her tongue slipped into his mouth.
He could taste hints of buttered pecan and cinnamon and knew she’d consumed the bread pudding he’d added to her to-go box.
It was the second time he’d kissed her and the second time she’d tasted like a dessert he gave her.
He liked it.
Torin reached down, grabbing her ass, and hefted her off her feet. In a few steps, he was at the couch, and he sat down with her straddling his lap.
Nova’s hands moved up to fist his hair, tugging his head back as she leaned over him. Her teeth nipped his lower lip before she ran the tip of her tongue along its length.
Her hips moved against him, rolling, seeking, and his hands clasped them, pulling her deeper into his body.
Torin’s head fell back when her hands moved from his hair, down his chest, to the hem of his t-shirt. Her fingers slid across his abdomen, making the muscles jump, before sliding up his sides.
He pulled back, releasing her mouth. “Nova.”
“Hmmm,” she murmured, her lips moving to his neck.
