With one finger, he lifted her chin. “I like you. It feels like it’s mutual.”
In a swift move, she went up on her tiptoes, pushed her arms around his neck. His went around her waist, his hands resting on her lower back.
“It’s definitely mutual. I just don’t know if it’s wise.”
Before he could list the reasons it would be smart for both of them, she muttered, “Neither is this.”
Then she pressed her mouth against his, her lips soft and sweet, not one hint of their earlier teasing in the move. His arms tightened around her as she angled her head, pressing closer. Will groaned, one hand sweeping up her back, into her hair as they learned the shape and feel of each other. When her tongue touched his, he couldn’t hold back the low growl that left his throat. She didn’t seem to mind, tangling her fingers in his hair, tugging a bit as they held tighter.
Gentle presses, demanding ones, their mouths moved apart and together over and over until he thought he’d actually lose his breath. Kissing her was better than having oxygen.
When she pulled back, lowered herself to the ground, Will’s brain was foggy.
“Jesus Christ. You cannot deny we have chemistry.”
Lexi reached up, ran her thumb over his bottom lip. He took her wrist, kissed her palm, then held her hand.
“No. I can’t. And I won’t. But I’m not sure there’s room for this in my life, Will.”
He hated the hint of sadness in her tone. “Room for what? Fun?”
She smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. “You. You’re not just fun. You’re sweet, sexy, and smart.”
“So far I see no reason not to date me.”
She laughed even as she moved back. “I’ll think about it. Thank you for tonight.”
“Trust me,” he said, hating that they were saying goodbye. “It was my pleasure.”
She opened her door, got in, and looked up at him through lowered lashes. “I’m very glad I sat down at your table.”
When she pulled away, he stared after her car a minute before heading to his own.
“You and me both, Lexi,” he said to himself as he got in. “You and me both.”
Seattle Times
ENTERTAINMENT
Top Stories
• “Barbie” sequel in the works?
• Rock and roll memorabilia donated to Museum of Pop Culture
• Seattle’s own Grand Babies bachelor off the market?
• Pike Place hosting special holiday visitors this year
Nine
If Will didn’t find a way to wipe the wide-ass grin off his face in the time it took to walk from his parking spot to the boardroom, everyone in his family—his sisters in particular—was going to be all over him about the source of it. He’d had such a good time with Lexi. She made him laugh, in person and through messages. They’d texted throughout the day on Sunday, just going back and forth about random things. He liked talking to her and definitely liked looking at her. She was real, sweet with an edge that was wrapped in a hint of vulnerability. He wanted to know more.
But right now, he needed to get to the Monday meeting. His phone buzzed again. If he weren’t waiting on Lexi to text back about taking her out to dinner, he’d have silenced it. News outlets were calling, which was a concern. Will didn’t have much to do with the downtown Seattle socialite scene unless it was to build connections in the community or for work—it’d never been his thing.
Drinking and hanging out with other people his age who only knew each other because all their parents had money wasn’t his idea of fun. Since discussions of a merger had begun with Home Needs, the CEO’s immature and impulsive son, Nolan Banner, had been calling him nonstop for advice on “living in the limelight under so much pressure.” Will scoffed. The guy spent more time drinking than he did inthe boardroom and if Will was honest, Nolan was the real source of his reluctance to keep moving forward with the merger.
The two had been photographed a few weeks ago outside a downtown nightclub. Nolan had asked Will to meet him there because he needed some advice. Will had tried to befriend the guy but they just didn’t connect. The guy was an ass.
