Page 30 of Love Out Loud

For what felt like a ridiculously long time, their eyes met, and they stared at each other like something out of a mushy Hallmark movie. All that was missing was the romantic music and blurry edges of the screen.

And then he leaned close and kissed her, almost causing her to squeak in surprise. Surprise morphed into buzzy heat as she relaxed and wound her arms around his neck. Warm and confident, his mouth moved over hers. The kiss deepened until she became light-headed and buzzy. She couldn’t help the small sounds of pleasure that escaped her.

Slowly, Jake pulled away, and Fiona dropped her hands to her lap. Both breathing heavily, they met eyes briefly before she looked away.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

A little pin pricked behind her sternum. She wasn’t. Although, making out in the break room was probably a bad idea. She wasn’t sure why, but it had to be, right?

She ran a fingertip over her lip, keeping her eyes on the tabletop, and fought back a smile. Yeah, she definitely wasn’t sorry. She’d finally gotten up close and personal with his freckle. She’d also learned that his face was even more perfect when he laughed, something she was sure her overactive imagination would add to her dreams.

Jake cleared his throat. “Why don’t we meet again tomorrow, after you’ve had time to practice the speech out loud by yourself?”

Wait. He was leaving?

He stood.

Yep. He was leaving. She sighed. He was probably right. Getting away from each other right now before she said something silly or tried to kiss him again was the best course of action. Kissing wasn’t conducive to speech coaching, for sure. She forced a smile. “Tomorrow’s good.”

“Maybe someplace public…to get you used to distractions.”

She almost laughed. Nothing could be as distracting as being alone in a room with this man and his talented lips. “I’m off on weekends. Text me where and when. I’ll be sure to check my phone this time.”

He stood, looking uncomfortable, then glanced at his watch. “I, um, need to go. See you tomorrow.”

As he left, she noticed he went to the right, not toward their apartment lobby, which bothered her more than a little bit.

“Get a grip on yourself,” she muttered. It was just a kiss. Probably nothing to a guy like him. And it was Friday night. Maybe he had a date. A good-looking man like that probably had a date every night.

She straightened her spine. She could have a date, too, if she wanted one. Which was the problem. She usually didn’t want one. “What is it about this guy?” she asked Daisy and Otto. “He’s all wrong for me.”

Perhaps that was the draw—the opposites-attract thing.

“Come on, you two. Time for a glass of wine, a bubble bath, and hopefully, some sweet, sweet dreams.”

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