I’ve got to move on. It’s as simple as that.
“Well, let me know if you need any advice for your next date. Believe it or not, I’ve got one lined up myself.”
“Wow.” But then she swallows, nodding repeatedly like she’s processing what I’ve just said. “Yeah? I’m sure she’s probably amazing.”
Is she jealous?
No,I tell myself.Definitely not.It’s got to be all in my head, right?
Except Ebony’s eyebrows lift, and she releases that same impressed smile she gives Cornelia when really, she’d rather throat-punch her.
It tickles me, watching her hide in plain sight.
“How about we test this out?” I stand, offering her my hands. But as she rises, caught in the middle of everything we’ve said, we both forget about her broken heel. She stumbles toward me, and I catch her, the soft curves of her body flush against mine. Our faces are inches apart, our breaths mingling, eyes locked, and for a heartbeat, we just stare at each other.
And then she kisses me.
Chapter Thirteen
Running Into You Again
Ebony
I’m spiraling.
Today, I’m supposed to go on a date with this guy that Leslie swears has “real long-term potential.”Whatever the hell that means.Meanwhile, I don’t know how I’ll get through the first five minutes when my mind keeps replaying my kissing Lincoln Bridges. Repeatedly, like an idiot. And with tongue. Like, did I not just outline Exhibits A through Infinity why we damn well shouldn’t let the ex-monster-in-law win?
And yet I did it anyway.
How could I not?
How could I not tell him about Cornelia’s revenge plot after he rescued me? Well, he scared the hell out of me first. But then, like it was nothing, he swept me off my feet and cradled me in his strong, capable arms. How could Inotfeel like I was precious to him?
Right then, I knew I was losing my will. And I thought maybe this was just leftover embers still glowing.
But no. This was so much more, explosively new. Somehow familiar and fantastical, watching this rough-and-tumble man so tenderly, sosweetly, bandage up my leg. It would’ve been criminalnotto kiss him.
And so I did.
With my heart thrashing behind my ribcage, I succumbed to temptation like IknewI would. I let him drag his tongue over my lips, teasing and tasting. I sank into the warmth and wetness of his mouth, loving the way his eyes softly glazed over with lust, and the tiny growl that seeped out of him. His needy hands set free on my skin, coaxing horny little moans from me, and my entire body vibrated against the thrum of his heart. All the while, my mind filled in the glorious blanks of what would inevitably come next.
I was at a point of no return—stop, or end up ravaged on the steps of Madison Manor, unable to move again, and be exposed to his entire crew within the next twenty-four hours.
Somehow, my mouth formed the words “We can’t.”
I broke the kiss.
We’d just established we’dbothplanned dates with other people, so what the hell was I doing?
I take several deep breaths, realizing we’ve been working at the manor together for twenty-three days. Twenty-three long, torturous days of fighting the good fight that…I don’t know, just doesn’t feel thatgoodanymore.
Why can’t I stop thinking about the kiss?
“Pause, peace, power,” I whisper into the air, hoping today it’ll work like a giant sage bundle, clearing my karma and banishing all the bad spirits. I grab my keys, lock my front door, and drag in a deep breath. Hopefully, along with the thick humidity, I’ll catch a strong whiff of the gumption I need to meet up with another guy who isn’t Linc, and somehow be witty and charismatic…in two different shoes and no earrings.
Lord.
“Okay, see? No.” I turn right back around, letting myself inside, then lean the full weight of my body against the door. “Snap out of it! It was just a kiss.”
