Page 62 of Failure to Match

Jackson’s fingers splayed across the thin fabric of my dress, covering a surface area so impressively large that it made my mind go blank.

It was to the point where I missed whatever was said next. I heard the words, but they didn’t register over the swarm of sparks floating through my body, ignited by the gentle stroke of Jackson’s thumb.

What the hell?

I blinked, trying to clear the static from my mind as Daniel asked yet another question I actively missed.

No, seriously, what the hell?

What was wrong with my body? I felt flushed, my heart was racing again, and before I even knew what I was doing, my shoulder pressed to Jackson’s broad chest, leaning into him for support.

He stiffened when it happened, but as soon as I went to correct my posture, his hand slipped to my waist and pulled me against him.

Andooohmmkay. The man was about as soft as marble, and those sparks from earlier? They were everywhere now. My skin was doused in electricity.

Before I could make another feeble attempt at putting distance between our bodies, Daniel turned around with a polite smile and walked away.

What was going on? Were we leaving?

Jackson’s palm pushed into my hip ever-so-slightly before I could ask, and my body intuitively followed the silent command, falling into smooth step beside him. I slid into a curved stool as Daniel made his way behind the bar. It was happening. It was really happening.

I mean, my initial excitement had somewhat waned, but that was to be expected. Whatwasn’texpected was Jackson hooking his fingers under the edge of my seat and pulling me a foot closer to him in one smooth motion.

“What are you doing?” I whispered, frowning at him.

He wasn’t even sitting properly. His body was turned toward me, legs spread shamelessly to accommodate the fact that my stool was all but tucked between his knees.

“You’re the relationship expert,” he said. “What do you think I’m doing?”

First of all, “I’m a matchmaker, not a relationship expert.”

Second of all, “If I knew, I wouldn’t ask.”

Thirdof all, his eyes were, um, even more striking up close. They were at least five different shades of winter blue, cutting over one another like thin shards of ice, fighting for dominance?—

I’m sorry, but what the actual fuck are you talking about?Shards of ice? Fighting for dominance? Are you okay?

No. I was not okay. I was familiar with what okay felt like, and this was not it. Breathing was a lot easier when I was okay.

“I’ll give you a hint,” Jackson murmured darkly. His pupils ate away at the surrounding color as he leaned to whisper in my ear. “I don’t share, Jamie.”

The sparks had infiltrated my brain. I couldn’t think.

“I’m a selfish, selfish man.” His nose accidentally brushed the shell of my ear and I jolted.

“I’ll make sure to add that to your profile.” My voice cracked.

Jackson leaned back again, a secretive smile toying with his mouth. “Eat.”

I blinked down at the twin small plates sitting in front of us. The same ones that had been empty a second ago. When had Daniel—holy shit, I’d forgotten about Daniel.

I blinked again, giving my head a small shake. How was that even possible? What the hell had been in that champagne?

I picked up the small piece of... I couldn’t remember what it was.

“Uni,” Daniel supplied, reading the impending question on my face. He was working a small serving of rice in his palm, prepping it for the next dish.

“It’s delicious.” I could barely taste it.

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