Page 6 of Unlikely Match

Staring up into those chocolate eyes, I want him to do everything he wants to me, just to see what it's like. He's the perfect guy to experiment with. Older, confident, unbelievably sexy. He'll definitely know what he's doing.

Alex steps back. "Sorry, did I freak you out?"

My head shakes as his thumb caresses my cheek. "No. I just… I don't think I want you to stop."

"Fiery. I like it." He smiles, his eyes smoldering. "Let's distract ourselves with some more art before things get too out of control, okay?"

We do a cursory circuit of the gallery, mostly to take a few photos to prove we've been there. Our conversations loop and flow easily as we discuss each painting.

Suddenly, Alex's hand wraps around my waist and he leans close. "Don't look yet, but when you turn toward me, check out the couple in denim jackets in the corner. Were they at Dora's office? I think they're another pair of contestants."

I turn and laugh as if he'd just said something completely hilarious, and slither my eyes to the side. "Yes."

"They've been checking us out," he explains as we walk away. "I wonder why."

Grabbing my phone, I open the array of photos we've posted so far on the website.

"What's that?" Alex points to a star beside our name.

Flipping through the contest page quickly, I gasp. "This is new. They didn't have a leaderboard last year."

"So they show who's winning in real time?"

Reading quickly, I can't stop grinning. "Yeah. Audience engagement isn't going to be the only thing deciding the winner, but of course it's going to help. We were in the top fifty whenyou wanted to buy my drawings…the top twenty when you let me drive your car…and then that photo asking if you should kiss me got so many likes… Holy crap – we're number three!"

Alex's eyes blaze as he hugs me close. "You're amazing, Jewel. Obviously killer at this social media stuff." An odd expression flickers across his face. "How old are you, anyway?"

"Twenty. Why?"

He frowns. "I'm thirty-two. That's twelve years older than you. Not a fan of social media. Probably out of touch with a lot of things."

"I don't know. I think we make a good team." My elbow digs lightly into his ribs, noticing…oh my…how rock-solid he is. "We both have the killer competitive instinct, right?"

"That we do. Time to think of something provocative for our next photo?"

"Sure."

"The photo of your lips really took off. How about we target them again?" He takes a photo of his hand feeding me a cream puff that's part of the dessert buffet. "Sweet pastry for a sweet girl," he types. Then he chuckles. "Kinda cheesy, but still cute, right?"

"I hope so."

As soon as the phone slips back into my purse, his firm hand grips the small of my back, pulling us together. "You'recute," he murmurs. "And smart, and funny, and gorgeous. I honestly don't know if Dora ran me through her matchmaking system, or if she just flung me at you. Either way, this is the best blind date ever."

"Agreed."

As Alex presses his lips to mine, I realize that he only kisses me or holds me against him when there's nobody around. I don't blame him, really. I don't know what he does for a living, but he dresses like a lawyer. I assume it wouldn't be good for business to be seen with some random artsy girl with blue hair.

But all of those thoughts melt away as his mouth consumes mine, kissing me deeply, slowly, as if we're the only two people in the world. My entire body is aching for something it's never had. This is my first experience of true lust. It's like crackling sparks zipping up my spine – then lower, through my belly, between my thighs.

His low moan makes me clutch him tighter as his hands roam slowly up my back and all over my hips. How would he touch me if we weren't in public?

A shuffle in the doorway makes us jump. We look over to see the couple in denim jackets hurrying away, the bleached blonde woman lowering her phone.

"If they took our photo, is that good publicity for us?" I laugh.

Alex looks very uncomfortable. "That would be a bit…underhanded." Then he shakes it off. "What's our next stop?"

"The Dripping Bucket. There are three bands playing tonight, and the one starting in twenty minutes is one I've been dying to check out for a while."

---