Page 81 of From the Moment We Met

Lilly smiled, sweeping thoughts of Jacob from her mind. “Thank you, and ditto for you!” Her friend twirled in a circle, and Lilly laughed for the first time that day.

“Obviously, I look amazing, don’t I always?” Sabina’s eyes twinkled as they linked arms. “I’ve discovered the location of the closest bar.”

Lilly giggled. “Now I know why I love you, lead onward.” They crossed the room, a sea of tuxedos and ballgowns. Lilly opted for a floral gown in black and white, her hair swept into a French twist. She felt beautiful and judging from the salacious looks of the men around the ballroom, she wasn’t the only one with that opinion.

Lilly had just placed their drink order when she felt eyes boring into her. Peering to her right, she saw Jacob, debonair in his fitted tux, his eyes transfixed.

Sabina nodded in his direction. “He hasn’t stopped staring since you walked in.”

“I didn’t realize he was already here, I don’t see his girlfriend.” Lilly tried to sound nonchalant, but she choked out the words.

Sabina sipped her wine. “Jacob and I had a little chat about that situation.”

“How is reconciling with your ex-girlfriend a situation?”

“He hasn’t reconciled with her, it’s all a public relations ruse. He was supposed to escort Victoria tonight, but he arrived alone.”

Lilly’s eyes widened, but her voice remained steady. “Why would he do that?”

“Because,” a deep voice rolled like honey over her shoulder, “I wanted to dance with someone else.”

Lilly turned to Jacob, inhaling his scent as he kissed her hand. His beard was newly trimmed, his eyes as blue as the spring sky. He was grace personified.

Lilly smiled in spite of herself. “Is that a fact?”

He turned her hand over and kissed her wrist, his eyes never leaving her face. “That is a fact, but she’s no ordinary woman, she’s absolutely captivating.”

The electricity sparked between them, and Lilly was sure they would catch fire. His smile unhinged her, and her eyes fluttered closed when his thumb traced her lips. She should resist him, push him away, but it was pointless. Where Jacob was concerned, she was all heart and no head.

His mouth brushed her ear as he whispered, “Dance with me, angel.”

Lilly nodded, and Jacob escorted her to the dance floor. The guests stepped back to allow them room, eager to observe the Hollywood star in action.

The song ended as they reached the center of the floor and Lilly gave a self-conscious giggle. “So bad they stopped the music entirely.”

Jacob wrapped his arms around her, whispering, “Not quite.”

The first strains of the song rang out, and Lilly’s heart leapt. It was the same music that played their first night together. “My favorite song.”

He replied with a small smile as he tightened his embrace.

Lilly noted the growing group of onlookers, but they faded into the periphery as she gazed at Jacob. He twirled her, drawing her body to him.

“You’re exquisite, Lilly. I’ve missed you.”

“It’s only been a few days. It hasn’t been long enough for you to miss me,” Lilly retorted, although her statement was a lie. A minute away from him seemed an eternity.

“Every moment away from you is too long.”

Lilly sighed. Damn, but he knew how to say all the right things, and her foolish heart believed his words every time. “Jacob—”

He pressed his lips to her hair, a bold move in such a high-profile, crowded locale. “Will you stop fighting me on this? I know how I feel.”

“I’m supposed to be mad at you.” God, she sounded like a five-year-old throwing a tantrum.

She felt him smile against her skin. “How’s that working out for you?”

She looked away, feeling that familiar flush creep into her face. Jacob's fingers lifted her chin to meet his gaze. “No hiding that beautiful smile from me tonight. You can be angry with me, but it’s not going to stop me from showering you with adoration. So get used to it, angel.”

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