Violet realized she was staring and felt her cheeks warm from embarrassment. “Nothin’. Did you drive?”
Simon jerked his chin in the direction of the B and B. “Walked.”
Made sense. The bed and breakfast was only a short walk down the street and then across Walker Park.
“Well, this is me,” she told him as they approached her 2019 KIA Soul, her favorite thing after Harry and Hermione, her family, her friends, the bookstore, and her house.
She clicked the fob to unlock the doors. Simon reached down and opened it for her.
Violet peered up at him. “I’d say thanks for dinner, but I paid for myself.”
His eyes glittered with amusement. “Next time, I get to pay.”
“What makes you think there’ll be a next time?”
“Wishful thinking.”
Swoon.
No! No swooning allowed. Nice guy, remember? The curse doesn’t allow for nice guys.
Was he moving closer? Yes. Yes, he was.
So why wasn’t she stepping back and making a joke of it? That was what she’d normally do in situations like this.
Then again, she’d never found herself in a situation like this. Not once had she ever met a nice guy she was attracted to. Not the way she was attracted to Simon.
“Violet?”
“Hmm?” She tilted her head back, keeping her eyes on his face. Or rather, his lips. He had really,reallynice lips.
“Would a nice guy do this?”
She didn’t get a chance to ask what he was referring to. The next thing she knew, his mouth was on hers, one hand cupping the back of her head, the other on the side of her neck, his thumb grazing her jaw.
It was just like in the movies. Sweet, romantic. Very muchunlikeany of the kisses she’d experienced before.
Unable to speak or think, she succumbed to the kiss not only because it was unexpected but because she couldn’t refrain. His lips were soft, his tongue dominating despite the leisurely tempo. Simon Jennings somehow managed to ravish her mouth while maintaining decorum and control.
He pulled back first but didn’t move away, his hands remaining on her. His thumb brushed against the pulse in her neck. Yeah, it was racing. Harder than it had in a very long time.
“I’m not nearly as nice as you think I am,” he said, his voice low.
“I find that hard to believe.”
“If you knew what was going through my mind right now, you wouldn’t think so.”
Curious, she pulled back enough to meet his gaze. “Tell me.”
His thumb swept her jaw again, sending tingles dancing down her arms. “I can’t stop thinkin’ about you.”
“Sounds sweet,” she teased.
“Did I mention in nearly every one of my thoughts you’re naked?”
Violet swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. “Sounds …nice.”
“Nice doesn’t begin to describe it.”
