Page 87 of The Mistletoe Makeover

Now that he’s giving me the option, I want to break all the rules.I want this moment now, not later. The way Jace is making me feel with his arms wrapped around my waist, how could Inotsay yes to him? And if it’s just this one time, am I really breakinganyrules? Because you can’t break rules for a relationship that doesn’t exist.

“In that case,” I begin, shifting my body around so I’m facing him. “What if I choose now?”

His smile drops. “Are you sure?” he asks, suddenly looking nervous.

If he could feel the way my heart is exploding inside my chest, he’d know for sure. “You promised we’d finish what we started.”

“I did,” he says, not letting go of me. “And I always keep my promises.”

“I need someone to guide me through this. For when it really happens,” I say, pretending like I’ve got so many guys lined up at home. Jace doesn’t have to know there’s not a single guy I’m interested in but him. “You’re a stage performer, right?”

Jace laughs, then rubs the back of his neck. “I’ve never had to instruct anyone on...this. I don’t even know where to start.”

“Start at the beginning,” I say. “What would you do first?”

“Like right now?” he says, his eyes darkening.

I nod.

He hesitates, then levels his gaze on me. “First, I’d make sure you were close to me, so we don’t awkwardly lean forward from too far away. From a practical standpoint, it’s so much easier if you’re close.”

“Like this?” I take a step forward so our bodies brush.

“Then I’d make sure I was touching you.” He wraps one hand around me, while the other one sweeps the hair away from my face. “I want to see you. In my opinion, there’s nothing more beautiful than a woman’s face.”

I can feel my cheeks flame as he tucks my hair behind my ear. His hand tightens around my back, while his fingers caress my cheek.

I can barely concentrate, and I haven’t even kissed him yet. “What do I do?” I ask, feeling like limp spaghetti under his touch.

“Whatever feels comfortable.”

I slowly wrap my arms around his neck, and suddenly my heart is beating frantically, like I’ve been pushed down a black diamond slope.

“Then what?” I say, looking up at him.

He swallows, his eyes turning into dark pools. “This is the part where there are no rules. You kind of figure it out as you go.”

I frown. “Figure it out... how?”

“Close your eyes and go for it.”

“That sounds like jumping off a cliff.”

“It is. Kissing is like jumping with no parachute. You just hope the other person catches you.”

He reaches up and cups my face. His eyes hold mine before they close, and he leans forward and hesitates. For a second, I forget to close my eyes, I’m so transfixed by him. I want to remember this moment, this feeling of being so happy in his arms. I’m ready to jump, even if there’s no guarantee he’ll catch me.

As his lips meet mine, they’re tender and soft and not demanding at all.

Without even realizing it, I close my eyes, focusing on the pressure of every place he’s touching me. One hand moves across my face, sliding down my neck, while the featherlight stroke of his thumb sweeps across my cheek.

I run my fingers through his curls around the edge of his neck, and it’s like my hands are controlled by something outside my body.

One hand finds the warmth of his collar, stroking it lightly, while my other hand explores his jaw and the sharp cut of his cheekbone.

Everything about this man is perfect, and I’m suddenly eager for more of him. I press into the kiss, every part of me wanting to know what Jace likes, what makes him deliriously happy.

If this is what it feels like to fall for someone, then I want more. More of Jace. More of kissing him on rooftops at Christmas.

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