Page 23 of It Started with a Kiss
I tried not to laugh, and pursed my lips before speaking with a stern expression and a sarcastic tone. ‘Oh, well that’s okay then.’
He rolled his eyes and then looked up at the ceiling. ‘You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you?’
‘Makewhateasy? You made things perfectly clear—’
Before I could finish my snarky retort, he stepped forward, slipped his hand into my hair, and crushed his mouth to mine. At first, I shoved on his chest.How dare he presume he can kiss me and make things okay?But after a few seconds of fighting it, I gave into him. In truth, Imeltedinto him. The fact that we were half in and half out of my doorway didn’t bother me until I heard the voice of one of the neighbours.
‘Good morning, Scarlet.’ I jerked away from Fin’s lips and flicked my head in the direction of the lecherous middle-aged man who hadnevergotten my name right.Ever.
‘Oh... um... good morning, Sidney.’ I couldn’t be bothered to correct him yet again, and so I grabbed Fin’s jacket and yanked him inside. I shoved him up against the wall, almost squishing the flowers he still clutched. Anger and lust bubbled up from deep within, in almost equal measures. ‘What the hell are youdoing? You treat me like crap then show up on my doorstep with flowers and some lame-ass apology and expect me to be okay with youassaultingme?’
He laughed and that irritated me even more. ‘Assaultingyou? You kissed me back,Scarlet.’ He sniggered and I wanted to slap the stupid expression from his handsome, gorgeous, face, with its luscious lips, and eyes as blue as the...Oh, God. I’ve got it so, so bad.
‘That guynevergets my name right. And anyway... yeah... well... you...’ I fumbled around in my kiss-fogged head, but couldn’t find any more angry words to yell at him.
He smirked again and nodded. ‘Yes, that’s a very strong argument you’re making there, Star. Ever thought about being a lawyer?’ The sparkle in his eyes trapped me and I forgot why I was arguing with him.
A worrying thought crossed my mind and I narrowed my eyes. ‘How did you find out where I live?’
‘I did mention that I’m a former lawyer, didn’t I?’
‘That’s not much of an explanation,stalkerman.’
‘Let’s just say I wanted to find you so badly that I resorted to underhand tactics that included the misuse of my connections.’ He pulled me against his firm chest and kissed me again. His tongue slipped into my mouth and caressed mine in a delicious, passionate dance.Damn hunky Scotsman.He pulled away and my eyelids fluttered open to find his gaze fixed on me. ‘So... can I take you for breakfast now?’ he whispered.
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. ‘Take meforbreakfast,ortake meforbreakfast?’
He reached up and tapped his chin as he pursed his lips. ‘Hmm. I’m not entirely sure what you’re getting at, Star, but if that’s an invite...’ I slapped his arm and he chuckled. ‘Look, I’m hungry. Forfood.’
The sigh that left me was supposed to sound like exasperation, but instead made me sound like some loved-up, swoony teenager. ‘Gimme five minutes to change.’
13
Fin
I watched as Star disappeared through a door to my left and fought the urge to fist bump the air. She had agreed to go for breakfast. It was a start. I placed the bouquet of partly crushed flowers on the coffee table and glanced round the living room. The photo prints on her walls looked really familiar and I stepped further into the room to get a closer look.
Sure enough, the prints had the initials S.A.M in the corner, just the ones I owned and adored, and my excitement rose. Maybe this wasanotherthing she and I had in common. We both liked the same photographer’s work. How spooky was that? I made a mental note to chat to her about that. Next, I thumbed through her CD collection. It made me smile that she too had row upon row of discs in the days of playlists. My fingers landed upon a particular case and I pulled it out to examine it closer. My face stretched in a wide grin.
‘Oh, you found my The Darkness CD.’ I jumped and almost dropped the case. How had she sneaked up on me so quietly?
I turned to face her, holding the CD aloft, and we both spoke simultaneously. ‘Sexiest band ever.’
She burst out laughing, hands across her stomach. Her laugh was musical. Such a lovely sound. ‘Wow. Who would’ve thought, huh?’
I couldn’t help the wide smile that took over my face in response. She was truly fascinating, and I wanted to dig further. ‘So, what’s your favourite song of theirs?’
She pursed her lips and looked to the ceiling. ‘Hmmm. That’s a tough one. I guess it would be a tie between “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” and “Growing on Me”.’
I nodded my agreement. My admiration for this sexy American was growing by the second. ‘Wow. You’ve got great taste.’
‘Oh, I know,’ she answered playfully. ‘So, where are you taking me for breakfast?’
I placed the CD back on the shelf. ‘There’s a little place on Rose Street I think you might like.’
Her responding smile was encouraging to say the least. ‘I think I know the place you mean.’ We walked towards the door and she grabbed a camera bag from the hall table.
I shoved my hands in my pockets and couldn’t keep the inquisitive tone from my voice. ‘You’re taking your camera?’
