Page 98 of From the Moment We Met

Jacob smiled and nuzzled Lilly's neck. “That night with you was perfect.” His eyes fell upon the necklace as he nipped her collarbone. “You’re wearing it.”

Lilly returned his smile, recapturing his lips with her own. “Do you mean it? No regrets regarding our evening together?” He deepened the kiss, his tongue ravishing every corner of her mouth, and Lilly had her answer. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him, relishing his scent and the feel of his hard shoulders beneath her hands.

She lost track of time as they caressed each other, their mouths insatiable. A knock on the door snapped them from their reverie, and they separated with a guilty smile.

“Lilly? It’s Janie, are you okay in there?”

Lilly giggled as Jacob opened the door. “Yeah, she’s fine.”

Janie’s eyes widened. “I see, here I was about to send out a search party; meanwhile you’re holed up in here together.” Her words were sarcastic, but her smile belied her happiness.

“We needed to have a little talk.” Jacob smiled, ruffling his sister’s hair.

Janie’s eyes scanned Jacob and Lilly, taking in their swollen lips and mussed hair. “Talking, obviously. A ton of talking happening here. Do you two have more to discuss or would you like to join us for a game?”

As much as Lilly would love to stay locked in the bathroom with Jacob the rest of the night, she hopped off the sink, kissing Janie on the cheek. “Let the poker games begin.”

∞∞∞

Roger greeted Lilly and Jacob with bemusement, stating how glad he was Jacob was no longer such an angry pickle.

It was a fantastic evening. Lilly won the last three hands, and Janie jokingly accused her of being a hustler, but it was Jacob’s hand on her thigh and his adoring gaze that made her night.

At first, she was uncertain how to behave around Jacob, considering how many of his friends were present. She opted to let his behavior guide her own and realized he had every intention of showering her with affection. He seized any opportunity to touch her, whether it was a kiss on her nape while refilling her whiskey or a caress of her shoulder when he got up to change the radio station.

Roger smiled at Lilly over his cards. “I, for one, am bloody thrilled. Thank you, Lilly.”

Lilly gazed at him, perplexed. “You’re very welcome. What did I do?”

Roger gazed in Jacob’s direction. “You have managed the impossible, you have tamed the elusive Edmonton. Bravo.”

Lilly’s cheeks flamed. “I wouldn’t quite go that far. I doubt he’ll be tamed by anyone, least of all me.”

A fellow actor named Edward spoke up, he had remained silent up to this point, but Lilly noticed him observing her interactions with Jacob. “I didn’t realize the two of you were dating.” Lilly couldn’t determine if he was curious or voicing disapproval.

Lilly’s jaw slackened at his pointed statement. “We’re—we’re not—”

“I suppose she’s the woman you were speaking about earlier?”

Jacob nodded. “It’s a new relationship, Edward. She’s upended my world, and I couldn’t be more grateful.” His arm slid around Lilly, his hand caressing her back.

Lilly shot Jacob a questioning look. Were they officially dating? Feeling the need to collect her thoughts and quiet her hammering heart—she excused herself to the bathroom.

Jacob offered to escort her, and Roger snickered. “About time you two tended to that electricity sparking between you. It’s lighting up the damn room."

Lilly flushed, stopping outside the door to wait for Jacob. He slipped his hand in hers and walked her down the hall, pointing out various paintings in the hallway he jokingly dubbed ‘Roger’s Millions.’

Stopping at the bathroom, Lilly offered him a shy smile. “Thank you, you don’t have to wait for me.”

Jacob caressed her cheek, his lips capturing hers in a soft kiss. A flush crept over his cheeks. “Are you okay with what I said in there?”

“With what, specifically?” Lilly knew the answer, but she needed him to repeat the words.

“That we’re dating. That is if you want to date me.”

“Is this we’re casually dating and seeing other people and all that jazz?”

Jacob’s eyes widened. “Is that what you want?”

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