Page 58 of From the Moment We Met

Lilly’s body couldn’t contain the emotions stirred up from his words, and she bit her lip in a futile attempt to hold them back. "I hear it too, Jacob."

“Thank God,” Jacob whispered, smiling against her skin, and Lilly lost her grip on reason or reality. "Let me get you fed. I have plans for us this evening." Jacob moved to the counter, setting up their plates.

"Really? What plans?" Are you going to strip me naked and kiss every inch of my body? Please say yes.

His blue eyes twinkled, his long curls falling into his eyes. "You'll see."

Lilly pushed the curls back, pressing her lips to his jaw. "Fair enough."

The food was scrumptious, the presentation for takeout was beyond anything Lilly had ever seen. However, her focus throughout the meal was torn between not dropping sushi onto her lap and shooting glances at the man who was stealing her heart with the ease of a master thief.

She assumed their dinner chat would focus on trivial topics—the weather and day jobs—but nothing about Jacob was trivial. Even his more mundane questions held a deeper meaning.

"What was your favorite movie as a child? What one did you enjoy watching with your father?"

"No, you'll laugh."

"Never."

Lilly flushed, drinking her sake. "It's a Wonderful Life. I know it's cheesy and sentimental—"

"It's an amazing film."

Lilly beamed at him, grateful for his understanding, contrived or not. "We watched it every Christmas. Last year was the first year I missed watching it."

"How come?"

"I was so busy with moving, and I was alone, so it didn't really feel like Christmas."

She expected a 'keep your chin up' retort, but Jacob only nodded thoughtfully as he chewed his food.

He continued with his probing questions about her childhood, listening with intensity. It seemed he wanted to learn all Lilly's inner workings.

"You're not one for small talk, are you?" Lilly inquired, popping some sashimi in her mouth.

Jacob smiled, picking up her hand and pressing his lips to her fingers. "Not where you're concerned. I hate that I've missed this much of your life. I want to learn all the details, everything that makes you...you."

Damn butterflies were back—with reinforcements—it felt like an entire tribe of swallowtails had moved into her body.

"What about you, sir? You've lived such an interesting life—traveling the globe, being celebrated for your works—and your looks. You've experienced more in your first three decades than most people do in their entire lives."

He nodded, but the smile faded from his face as he stared into his glass of sake. "I guess to most people I have a perfect life."

"I didn't say perfect, I said interesting." Lilly leaned forward, her hand stroking his arm. "Where do you go from here? How do you top all the excitement that has been constant in your world?"

His gaze held hers, speaking volumes even before he opened his mouth. "I want to share all those experiences with someone, show her all the beauty I've seen around the globe."

"Won't it be trite for you, reliving the same cities and memories?" Lilly couldn't look away if she wanted to, she was riveted by him.

Jacob leaned forward, stroking his hand along her jaw. "It would be like seeing it all over again for the first time. We would create our own world together.”

Holy hell, there's no way I'm not falling head over heels for this man...even if he’s not referring to me.

"I think that would be beautiful." Christ Lilly, there you go again, planning the wedding.

Jacob stood, pouring them both some more sake. "Tell me, Lilly, where would you like to go?"

“Paris," Lilly blurted without pause. "I've always wanted to see Paris."

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