Page 49 of Heart Match

‘Yeah.’

Now it’s my turn to fill his back jeans pocket with my hands, then give his ass a proper squeeze.

‘Why haven’t you said anything?’ Luc pulls a strand of my hair behind my ear and leaves his hand there, his long fingers entangled in my hair.

‘I know where you’re staying.’

He smirks.

‘Fair enough.’

Our eyes keep locked for a long while, as he strokes my lips with his thumb.

‘I like that,’ I say, lifting my hand to his stubbled face.

‘What?’

‘Your stubble.’

The magnetic field created between our eyes is still intact.

‘Oh yeah? I’m thinking about shaving it off tomorrow.’ He narrows his eyes as if daring me to say something about it.

‘Don’t.’

The mischievous grin is back.

‘Yes, ma’am.’

Then he kisses me, soft and wet and slowly, our hands tugging on each other’s hair. His playlist’s still on, and the air smells like baked butter and flour. This feels better than Christmas, than taking a plane to a new place—even better than buying new lingerie. The feeling does weird things to me, I don’t know how to explain. All I know is that it’s better than anything I felt before.

Beep. The quiche’s ready.

Chapter Fourteen

I end up having to beg him for his grandma’s secret. Of course, without success.

‘This was amazing. I could eat this dough non-stop,’ I say, running my tongue over my lips. My stomach has stopped complaining long ago.

‘I know, right?’ Luc looks happy.

I can see satisfaction all over his face at the sight of my full belly.

‘You’ll need me if you ever want to eat Quiche Lamaire again,’ he says, watching me.

‘Or your grannie.’ This makes him laugh his delicious, easy laugh.

‘If my grandma ever shares her secret with you, I’ll have to marry you,’ he says, teasing, but it makes me flush. I down the remaining champagne in my flute.

‘Why?’

‘So the secret stays in the family,’ he winks at me and our eyes stay fixed on each other for what feels like minutes.

He pulls my stool closer to his, placing me between his legs. His face’s flushed too, his eyes pinkish. He looks tired, but relaxed. He decides that burying his face between my collarbone and neck is a good idea. I agree. He lingers there, breathing in my scent, his strong arms embracing me around my waist. I’m caught by surprise at first, but after a moment I let down my guard. I sniff his hair, hold him back and let my shoulders relax. Though it feels good, it’s scary as hell too. Whatever this is, it’s too late to stop without leaving marks. We stay like this for a while, until I realise I feel like sharing something he has asked me about before, something I never talk about.

‘Josh,’ I say. The name I avoid speaking out loud at all costs. Saying it right now even feels wrong, because Luc has nothing to do with Josh. Both names should never be said in the same room, it’s almost a crime.

He stays where he is, waiting for me to elaborate.

---