Page 36 of It Had to be You

Mirroring his gesture, she reached up and traced along his hairline at his temple. "I’m just not very good at this," she might as well come clean with him, "I’ve spent so many years traveling. Dating, or whatever this is, isn’t my forte." She chuckled. "It isn’t my anything."

"And I didn’t help things by being distant."

"I was beginning to wonder," Tatum bit into her bottom lip and rubbed her teeth against the

swell, "if maybe you took one look at my Cracker Jack box of a room and realized I was so far out of your league you started to think twice."

She could see that she’d startled him with her question.

"You think I changed my mind because you have a small room on the ship?"

When he put it that way…

"I haven’t seen the rooms on the upper decks, but I’m pretty sure it’s a far cry from what you’re used to. It had to be a shock at least." She lowered her hand to his shoulder, letting it slide down until her palm was resting on his chest. The fabric of his shirt was warmed by his skin and felt like a little bit of heaven. Lifting her gaze back to his she couldn’t help but feel a little silly for saying the words, but in for a penny…

"I thought you were going to kiss me last night."

"I was." His lips pressed into a thin line for a moment and she felt the weight of his gaze on

her face. "But you’re right that I changed my mind, but not for the reason you think. That," he smoothed his hands down from her shoulders to just above her elbows, his thumbs sweeping softly against her skin, "is the reason I was on the phone. I should have waited for a better time."

Sighing, she leaned into the warmth of his hands and his smile. "You don’t have to apologize."

"Yes," he nodded, "I do. You should have at least that and more."

"And speaking of more," she widened her eyes, full of curiosity, "do you have any plans?"

"Actually, I do."

"Do tell," she grinned.

"Do you want me to tell you? Or just show you?"

That was music to her ears. "So, I’m part of this plan?"

"Tatum." He held her arms gently as he stepped in, close enough for her to feel the warm rush of

his breath on her face. "It’s all about you."

This time, she knew it was coming.

And it was even sweeter for that reason.

At first, it was just a brush of his lips against hers. A tender touch.

When he kissed her again, she could only call it a taste of what she’d been missing. She could easily be starved for more of the same. His hands trailed back up her arms and the feather soft touch against the backs of her arms gave her shivers.

Alexander ended the kiss with a tender kiss against her temple, bringing back memories of the

night before.

"We should get going."

Her shoulders raised in a languid shrug and she sighed. "Do we have to?"

"You’ll thank me later, I promise."

Tatum laughed. "I’m sure I will."

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