Page 94 of The Making of Marnie Jones

Well, yes, she did.

Holy crap.

A few paces from the guardhouse, she reluctantly relinquished his hand. “Any thoughts?”

He rubbed his hand along his lightly stubbled chin.

Endearing.

“I promised you I’d hear what you and Olivia have to say. I intend to keep that promise.”

“Good.” Pleased her voice was calm and relaxed, she tried to exude confidence when she felt anything but.

“You sound surprised.”

“Not surprised…pleased. You’re keeping an open mind, and I appreciate it.”

As she turned to walk away, he snagged her hand. She stiffened, her body reacting to a nonexistent threat.

Take a breath. He’s not going to hurt you.

So she took a breath. And another. Slowly she relaxed. She let him tug her back a step.

“I have one more request.”

Anything.No caveats. No hesitation. Just capitulation.

“May I give you a kiss?”

“A kiss?” She placed her fingers against her lips. “You want to give me a kiss?”

“Even better, I'd like you to kiss me back.”

“Why?” The same question she’d asked about their holding hands.

“Because it's what people do when they’re attracted to each other. They hold hands. They touch. They hug.” His grin was lopsided. “They kiss.”

She gazed down at their entwined hands. What was the harm? She’d survived holding his hand. How hard could it be to partake in a kiss? He had one thing right—she was attracted to him. That he felt the same way comforted her. Reassured her.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay.”

Be brave. Don’t lose your nerve now.“How does this work?”

He grinned. He squeezed her hand and drew it to him, then placed it on his heart and held it steady.

Gently she placed her palm against his chest. She kneaded his muscles with the tips of her fingers.

With his right hand he scooped up her left and placed it on the other side of his chest. “This is so you can push me away if you become uncomfortable.”

“Okay.” Soft. Breathy. “What's next?”

“You close your eyes, because I need to take off your sunglasses.”

She complied, and he removed her glasses. She waited, held in anticipation, until he spoke.

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