She didn’t seem to buy the lie at all. “Sure. Well, I guess you weren’t lying when you said you read my books. That place was amazing.”
“I don’t lie. And just because I don’t like you doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate talent. You’re a really good writer, Blair.”
She smiled. “Wow. Thanks for the backhanded compliment, I guess.”
She scowled at me when I opened the passenger-side door for her. “What?” I asked.
“Are you sick or something?”
I laughed. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, hasn’t anyone ever been nice to you?”
“Of course, just not you.” She smirked.
“Fine. Remind me to never do it again, then.” I took a step closer and lowered my voice. “Just get in the car, Blair.”
Her breath hitched and her eyes darkened. She didn’t say anything as she got in, but I didn’t miss the subtle lick of her lips. Did she like being told what to do? And why did the thought turn me on?
I shook away the thought and rounded the car to the driver’s side.
“Thank you.” My only response was a smile. I really had to pull it together.
I rested my hand on the gear shift as I drove, but my fingers were itching to reach out for her.
“I feel like I’ll never be able to eat again.” She groaned.
After the cafe, we stopped at a bakery and ended up sharing an abnormally large piece of chocolate cake.
I laughed. “I’m sure after some sleep, you’ll be starving again.”
“Nope. Not going to happen.”
We were silent for the rest of the drive until I pulled in her driveway and stopped the car.
“Well, this is me,” she joked. “Thanks for today. I had a lot of fun. Who would’ve thought?” She laughed.
“So funny! But I’m glad. I did too.”
My smile disappeared when she became serious. “And thank you for the other night. That was so embarrassing, but you didn’t have to be nice to me. I haven’t done anything to deserve it.” She shrugged.
“Even if I didn’t like you at all, I’m not some neanderthal who can’t see a lady in need. You went through something horrible. I don’t blame you for feeling the way you do. Don’t ever feel embarrassed. After seeing you handle those comments at the festival… You are one of the bravest people I know.”
A tear slid down Blair’s cheek, and she quickly wiped it away. She made a motion to grab the door handle, but she pulled her hand back.
“I’m sorry, I’m usually not this emotional. I don’t open up like that to anyone. You must think I’m crazy.” She laughed nervously
“I could think of a number of things to call you, but crazy isn’t at the top of my list,” I joked.
“You are insufferable!” she said as she rolled her eyes in amusement. “But seriously, Drea, I really had a great time with you tonight. I got to see a side of Drea Voss I didn’t know existed.”
I looked at Blair’s lips, then at her eyes. I could see fire burning inside them. “I don’t know, maybe your kiss has put me under some kind of spell.” I shrugged, but it was true. Kissing her had opened something that had been closed inside me for a long time.
Blair licked her lips and stared into my eyes. In that second, she closed the space between us as she crashed her lips into mine and pulled me toward her.
I moaned into our kiss, desperately wishing for more. After a few fantastic seconds, I knew I had to break away sooner or later.
“Well, do you want to come in? Maybe your apology doesn’t have to end so early,” she whispered, bringing me in closer.
Did I want to? That seemed so very risky… “So tempting,” I murmured.
