Page 39 of From the Moment We Met

Lilly sputtered her whiskey, receiving an incredulous look from Jacob.

“Can I finish?”

Lilly cleared her throat, a smile curving her lips. “By all means.”

“Do you know why I dated those women? It was easy, I met them on set or through connections. I never get the opportunity to meet someone the old-fashioned way and let things progress naturally. But those starlets are only concerned with advancing their career and upping their notoriety. They didn’t give a damn about me, and I didn’t care about them.” Jacob poured himself another finger of whiskey before turning the tables on Lilly. “I’m done with the hot seat; it’s your turn. What type of blokes do you date?”

“I don’t have a type.”

“Everyone has a type.”

“It has to be someone who gives me butterflies, which is a rarity.”

Jacob leaned against the cushion, regarding her. “Butterflies, huh?”

Lilly felt her cheeks fire up. “I know it likely sounds trite for someone of your experience, but I believe you know the moment you kiss someone—” She broke off the sentence, wishing she could crawl under the couch.

Jacob inched closer, running his fingers along her jaw. “You were saying?”

Lilly’s lower lip quivered. How in the world could she talk her way out of that statement? “You know as soon as you kiss someone if there’s chemistry.”

His eyes scanned her face as if considering her words, before sitting back and taking a swig of whiskey. “Butterflies are a rarity indeed. Nine times out of ten, it’s just hormones.”

Fuck, I’ve made the biggest fool of myself. Lilly stood up, determined to get the conversation back on track. If she acted casual, then he might not think she felt anything when they kissed. “I’ve dated within the medical field, because it’s easy, like you date within the Hollywood set.”

Her return to the previous topic caught him off guard, but he recovered quickly. “Do you only date within the medical field?”

“No, but I don’t date actors or musicians.” Lilly paused, surprised by her bluntness.

Her statement also piqued Jacob’s interest. “You’ve never dated an actor or musician? I find that surprising.”

“I’ve dated my share of musicians, dated one for five years. Unfortunately, they have issues keeping it in their pants, and I’m not one to look the other way. That, and you’re expendable if you’re not helping them build their empire and fame.”

A muscle twitched in Jacob’s jaw. He looked contrite at her statement. “Anyone who treats you like garbage is an idiot, you’re fabulous. But you can’t hold it against all of us.”

Lilly blushed, sipping her whiskey. “He was an idiot, but so was I for believing in him.”

“So, no more musicians? What about actors, you said you don’t date them either?”

“I’ve never dated an actor. I don’t think I could.”

Jacob leaned on his hand. “I don’t know what to say to that statement, except it’s very unfortunate for me. Can you tell me why? You think we’re abhorrent liars or playing a part?”

Lilly barely heard his last question, her mind spinning around his first statement. She snapped to and giggled. “It’s a stupid reason, but I stick by it.”

“Now I demand to know what this reason is for casting aside the thespian world.”

Lilly’s New York heritage took center stage as she paced the carpet, waving her hands around. “It’s the whole sex scene thing, kissing other women, rolling around naked with gorgeous starlets, it feels like cheating—why are you laughing?”

Jacob tried to stop, but it only increased his amusement. “I’m not laughing.”

“Okay, now you’re lying.”

Jacob grabbed Lilly’s hands, settling her on the couch. “First, I don’t have sex on-screen with anyone, ever. And the kissing isn’t real kissing; it’s a screen kiss.”

“But it looks real…like, really real.”

Jacob’s smile broadened, and Lilly felt her entire body pulsate. “But it’s not real.” He stood, grabbing the whiskey bottle and filling her glass. “Picture this, your lips press together, but there is no tongue involved, it’s imagined—” He returned to her side. “Let me show you.”

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