Page 68 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Seven

She tried not to flush with pride. One of Sunshine Bridal’s clients demanded a wedding based on Dr. Seuss and she’d wrangled specific rare flowers that looked like they came fromThe Lorax. “Yeah, that was one of my finer moments.”

“I’m impressed.” He turned to face her. Hands on hips, feet a few inches apart, his jacket stretched across his broad shoulders, cutting an intimidating figure. The black glasses perched on his nose only emphasized his sexiness. “Making good money in a small beach town isn’t easy to do.”

She shrugged. “Neither is running a successful restaurant in New York City. Your place averages 4.9 stars, too. The oysters and duck seem to be the most raved about.”

His dark brow arched. “I see you Googled me.”

“As you did to me.”

The silence simmered. She felt the tension and shifted her weight. Why was she suddenly nervous? “Did Bear really have a breakdown over a ten-pound dog?”

Jameson snorted. “More like six pounds. And yes, he wailed in a very unmasculine way. Which made the Chihuahua puff out like she was hot shit, and that just pissed me off. Bear could’ve taken her easy.”

And then she was laughing, and so was he, and suddenly he was inches away. Their gazes met and locked. The humor faded, and she found she was gripping his arm, and his palm touched her cheek, and within seconds, electricity crackled between them.

Devon was good with men. She was rarely awkward. She was confident in her body and her mind, and had no issues making the first move, or carrying through with his. But right now,a flicker of vulnerability made her pause. She stared at him, wanting something she couldn’t put a name to, wondering about this complicated man before her.

“You’re really pretty,” he said huskily. His finger caressed her cheek, then tipped up her chin. He pressed in, slow and steady, giving her plenty of time to move away. “I’ve been thinking about how you drive me crazy.”

“You drive me just as crazy,” she retorted a bit too breathily. Her heart pounded as his mouth lowered. His breath whispered over her lips.

“I didn’t expect this. I don’t do messy.”

A flash of temper overtook her, and then she was leaning in, grasping his jacket with her fist, challenging him with her body and words. “Then maybe you should walk away.”

His hot stare was all lust and sexy demand. “Maybe I should. But I’m thinking how damn good messy can feel.”

Then he kissed her.

His lips were firm and warm against hers. His movements were slow and seductive as he explored her mouth, refusing to rush. His teeth nibbled, asking for full entry, and she arched into him, wanting more. With a sigh of surrender, she let him in, and his tongue surged forward, taking the kiss to a whole other level.

He swallowed her gasp, his delicious taste of mint and coffee swamping her senses. She hung on, digging her nails into his shoulders, meeting him halfway as their tongues tangled together in a sensual battle that left her knees shaky and her body weeping with need. It was a kiss that blistered her alive, full of demand and promises, and she hung on the precipice, shocked at the depth of passion burning from within, released with every delicious thrust of his tongue. His hands burrowed in her hair, holding her head still for his ravishment. Devonhung on and gave him what he wanted, toes curling in her boots, foggy with need for more.

Oh, how she needed more.

Slowly, he retreated, still pressing tiny kisses to her swollen lips as he pulled away. Breath uneven, his eyes were like charcoal, banked fire burning into hers.

“Will you go on a date with me?”

Devon tried to find her words since she’d gone mute. She blinked and pressed her trembling fingers against her lips, still reeling from the kiss. “Huh?”

His smile was gentle. “I’m asking you out.”

“Aren’t we both going to the Fur Gala this weekend?”

“Technically, yes. But we’re both working and I’d like to spend some one-on-one time with you.”

“Okay.”

“Good. How about Thursday night? I can make us a late-night supper at Vintage if you don’t mind the hour.”

It was an easy answer, because Devon wanted to kiss him again. “I won’t mind. That works.”

“Excellent.”

He looked ready to leave, but her brain cells had returned and she had an important question. “What about not wanting to get messy?”

He surprised her by pressing a hard kiss to her mouth. “You convinced me it’s more fun in the playground than on the sidelines watching.”

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