The wind whisked away my breathy laugh.
“Don’t meet anyone in the next thirteen days.”
The endearing softness had vanished from his expression. I frowned. “What do you mean?”
His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “You’ll break my heart if you’re off the market by Christmas.”
“Oh, I w–wouldn’t w–worry about that.”
“I’m very worried.” He reached a hand up, bracing it behind me on the side of my car. He leaned closer, effectively blocking the wind. Body heat radiated from him even though he only wore a sweater. My breathing shallowed as his gaze fell to my lips. “And I have every reason to be.”
He lifted a hand, cupping my chin with his cold fingers. He skimmed my lower lip with the pad of his thumb. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move. I’d never been kissed before, but I suddenly hoped with my entire heart that Garrett would give me my first.
My head spun with unreality. How could this fine, accomplished businessman wantme?
I felt like I’d walked into a romance movie.
His hooded eyes drew nearer, his face pressing closer until his warm lips gently brushed over mine—respectful, quick, feather-light. I blinked in the aftermath as his minty breath washed my face. Finally, he whispered, labored and raspy. “Goodnight, Hollie.”
I couldn’t speak if my life depended on it. He opened my driver’s door for me and I stumbled into it, melting into the cracked leather seats as he lifted his hand to wave through the window.
FOURTEEN
Jesse
Nine weeks ago
“I’ve danced with a lot of people who don’t dance. And you, Hollie, aren’t one of them.”
Hollie’s chest expanded with every breath, torturously pressing into mine.
I didn’t know what I was doing, holding her like this. But I didn’t want to stop.
Couldn’t, more like.
I realized the music had turned slow. It was hard to hear over our conversation. Maybe it turned long ago and my brain was just now catching up. Didn’t matter much, we were dancing to our own tune anyway. Nevertheless, I prodded her into a gentle sway, our bodies following the soft guitar strings. “Okay, the truth this time. Do you dance?”
She rolled her lips, breaking our eye contact. “I did. A long time ago.”
“Tellme about it.”
“There’s not much to really tell.”
“Then give me the boring stuff.”
“Alright then.” She took a deep breath. “I was in a contemporary troupe in high school, got basic training in most styles, but it’s been forever. I can’t even remember the last time I danced with a partner.”
“Well, you’re a natural.”
“Thank you. I really do love it.”
“Why’d you stop then?”
She shrugged, her hold on my neck tightening. “Life, I guess.”
“Life shouldn’t keep you from what you love.”
“Yet it does all the time, doesn’t it?”
