The “snow” dissolved on her hand. “It’s amazing. Floating in the air like this, it looks just like the real thing.”
“It’s weird, isn’t it?”
“What is?”
“That it’s not cold. If you’re used to real winters, it’s weird to see snow when it’s not cold. At least, I think so.”
“Yeah, I get what you mean.” Just the sight of the snow made her want to cozy up to him for warmth…or for the pleasure of cuddling with that hot bod.
In total, the snowfall lasted all of five minutes. When it was over, Jess turned to Nik. The twinkling fairy lights reflected in his eyes. “Okay,” she said in a soft voice. “I guess that was pretty magical.”
The smile that eased over his features was pretty damn magical, too, and set her heart to thumping in her chest.
He stepped closer, and even though they were surrounded by people, it was like they were completely alone.
“Jess.” His voice was soft, and the look in his eyes made her breath catch. “I’ll stay, if you want me to.”
“Stay?” The word trembled out. She wouldn’t even let herself consider what it might mean.
“In Los Angeles.”
Oh. He did mean that.
Jess took a sip of cocoa she carried to give herself time to sort out her thoughts. He’d put the ball in her court. While she couldn’t deny there was a spark between them, the fear that he’d leave as soon as the next gig popped up was too strong. What if she said yes and he left anyway? It would break her.
She needed to buy some time.
“New Year’s Eve,” she said, lowering the cup and meeting his eyes. “At midnight. If I kiss you…”It means you convinced me. That I want you to stay. She couldn’t bring herself to say the words.
“If you kiss me, I’ll stay,” he clarified. “And if you don’t…then I’ll know where we stand.”
“Yes.” All of this had started with a kiss at midnight. It seemed right to bring it full circle, no matter how it turned out.
Nik nodded. “It’s a date.”
After they finished their drinks, Nik walked her to her car in the garage.
“Did you have fun?”
“Maybe I did,” she replied with a coy smile. She couldn’t lie and say she hadn’t, but it was still too soon to give him the upper hand.
When he passed her the bag containing her new lipstick and the gifts she’d purchased for Naomi and her agent, their hands brushed. The barest contact, but it pulled at her and made her want more.
He stood close, looking down at her with brown eyes gone soft and dreamy. Was he going to kiss her? Her breath hitched in anticipation of the touch of his lips. A beat passed, and when he didn’t lean in, she realized he was waiting for her to make the first move.
Jess didn’t consider herself shy, but something made her want to take things slow. Instead of a kiss, she reached up to give him a hug. It had been an excellent date, and he deserved that much, at least.
And also? She just wanted to.
She shut her eyes for a second to savor the feel of his hard, capable body surrounding her, to breathe in the subtle scent of his cologne—something woodsy with notes of amber that made her think of the color of his eyes.
Because she wanted to hold on, she let go. “You have my number,” she said, opening the car door. “Keep me posted about date number two.”In other words, the ball’s back in your court, buddy.
“I will.” The words rang with a note of promise.
She hoped he did. Not because she fully believed in him or this holiday magic business. But she’d had fun, and yeah, she wanted to see him again.
Hopefully her heart’s defenses were strong enough to withstand whatever else he had in store for them.
