by Karen Ferry
My tummy flips at his words.
Calm down, Amelie, this is not a date.
“How very sensible of you, Mr. Jensen.”
I hope he doesn’t hear the tremor in my voice, but if he does, he doesn’t show it. Quickly, I do as he asks and hand the mobile back to him.
“Ta.” He picks up his spoon and jerks his chin at my bowl. “Eat up, Amelie.”
I open my mouth to protest, but my stomach growling makes me jab it shut, and before I know it, I do as he says.
I break the silence a couple of minutes later.
“Don’t make it a habit.”
His eyes shoot up to his hairline, his hand pausing in mid-air between the bowl and those luscious lips of his.
“Do what?”
“I’m a Virgo,” I mutter around a bite of bread. “I don’t take orders well.”
He gives me a crooked grin and nods once.
“Duly noted.”
6
Finlay
“Am I going to get into trouble with a boyfriend if I walk you home tonight?”
The words slip past my lips before I can stop myself, but if I have to be honest, I’m not sorry. All through dinner, I’ve had the most fun I’ve had in a long fucking time, and while the lines between us are blurring – a fact I shouldn’t forget – I don’t want it to end yet.
She shakes her head and gives me another shy smile. An adorable blush creeps up her neck and cheek, and she looks down.
My fingers itch to run across those flaming cheeks, but instead, I rest them loosely in my lap.
“I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“That surprises me.”
I grin, delighted that she’s not taken. I can’t stop myself.
“I don’t have time for a boyfriend,” she murmurs softly as she runs her hand up her neck again.
“I don’t believe that.”
She sits up straighter and meets my gaze.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
I take a sip of my pint before I voice my answer carefully.
“I can’t say I’m an expert on these things, but I believe that if something is important enough, you make the time for it. That if you want something with every fibre of your bones, you do what you have to do to get it. Doesn’t matter if it’s professionally or personally – if you don’t take what you desperately want, you’ll wilt away.”
Her eyes are riveted on mine, and I get the sense that I’m not really answering her question anymore. I’m asking for her to give me a chance.
“Is that so?”
I flash her another smile.
“Yeah.”
“And what if I tell you that I’ve never had a boyfriend?”
This girl keeps surprising me in a so many ways.
“I find that hard to believe.”
Her lips fall and if I knew her better, I would’ve sworn there’s a glimmer of disappointment aimed at me when she breaks our stare.
“Believe what you want.” She dabs at her lips before she folds her napkin, placing it down next to her empty bowl. “I have to get home.”
The dismissal is clear as day, and I’ve run out of excuses for us to spend the rest of the night here at this quaint little pub.
“Of course. I’ll go settle our bill.”
“You don’t have to…”
“No arguments, Amelie.”
She opens her mouth but shuts it when I give her a firm shake of my head.
“Seeing as I practically forced my company on you tonight, it’s only fair I pay for our dinner.”
“That’s very kind of you.”
I stand up and move to stand behind her, ready to help her. As her chair wobbles, I’m quick to reach out and wrap my hands around the top of it to steady it, and I come close to touching her.
I want to touch her everywhere, but I can’t.
The strangest sensation of needing to feel her in even the smallest, most innocent way simply to know what her skin feels like runs through me, but I don’t want to scare her off – or to overstep the boundary there has to exist between us while I get to know her for the sake of my job. And yet…I can’t deny the attraction I feel slowly building between us. The confident woman I saw dancing tonight hasn’t been present tonight, making me wonder why that is.
There are two sides to Amelie Winters, and I’m curious to uncover both.
As if of their own volition, my fingertips brush the nape of her neck, and I breathe deeply at the feel of her soft tendrils of hair. She lets out a low gasp and I lean down, unable to stop myself.
“That’s the second time tonight you’ve told me that,” I whisper, “but it’s not who I am.” I come dangerously close to brushing her earlobe with my tongue, but I tamp down the urge to taste her. “I’m not a kind man, Amelie. Only an honest one.”
I shiver as she tips her head back to gaze up at me, but the innocence in her eyes takes my breath away. She glances to my lips, and it becomes near impossible to breathe.
Fuck. I’m trembling as if I’m a young schoolboy. Instead of lingering so close to her, I straighten my back and take a tentative step away from her, but her questioning gaze only follows me, tempting me.
Asking me something in a hidden language that I can’t translate.
“I’ll go settle the bill.”
I don’t care that my voice sounds brusque. I need to get back in control, and the only way I can do that is by putting some distance between us.
I can feel her stare at my back as I wait for my turn at the bar, but no matter how much she’s calling to me, I refuse to give in.
Oh, but what I wouldn’t give for a kiss goodnight…
Finally, Gavin turns my way, and again, I ignore the speculative glint he aims at me.
“The bill, please.”
He bends to retrieve Amelie’s bag from below the bar and shakes his head.
“It’s on the house.”
I frown at him.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he warns as he crosses his arms. “It wasn’t my idea, but Maggie said given what day it is, we should treat Amelie.” A long-suffering sigh leaves his lips. “Told her it’s bad for business, that customers will start thinking we’ve grown soft, but she never listens to me. Nope. Women, eh?”
Thoroughly confused, I lean my elbows on the bar.
“What’s today? Why is it so special?”
He grunts. “Don’t tell me you don’t know?”
I shake my head, wishing he’d stop talking in riddles.
“I don’t.”
“Why, it’s Amelie’s birthday, lad.” He narrows his eyes at me. “You’re in a wee pile of horseshit now, aren’t ye? You forgot it’s your girlfriend’s birthday, and now it’s too late to get her a present.” He whistles softly and relaxes his stance. “Almost feel sorry for you now.”
“Thanks.”
He turns an almost sympathetic glance my way, as he moves away to serve another customer, but I don’t have time to dwell on his revelations before I feel her presence close to me again.
I steel my features, not giving my thoughts away, only giving her a polite smile when she extends her hand, and I look down to see the handles of my bag firmly grasped in her small fist. I crack a small smile as we exchange bags.
“Thank you. I’d almost forgot I had it with me.”
She nods once before she turns and in silence, we leave the pub. I follow her lead, all the while trying to come up with something to say. But for once, the words tumble around in my head, completely nonsensical and vapid, that I feel it’s best to keep them to myself.
How ironic: words are my life, what I make a living of, and yet here I am, unable to make head or tails of them.
She stops walking abruptly, and I practically stumble into her back and take a hold on her arms to prevent falling flat on my arse.
“Everything we’ve talked about tonight is still off the record, right?” she asks and glances back at me.
I nod. “I gave you my
word.”
Once again, desire pools in my gut when she wets her lips and turns in my arms.
“Good, because I want to tell you something, but I don’t want it to be part of your piece about me.”
“Okay?”
I don’t mean for it to come out as a question, but truth be told, I’m almost scared of what it is.
“I’ve never had a boyfriend, Finlay.”
I wait a beat, but I must be dense because I don’t understand why she’s so anxious, but her body language gives her away. She won’t meet my eyes, instead staring down on her feet, and her fingers fumbling with that wretched bag.
Finally, I speak up.
“And you feel this is important to tell me, because...?” I prod.
She shrugs as she lets out a long sigh.
“I just do…”
I frown and push my hands into the pockets of my jeans.
“Right. Well, I suppose you need to spell it out for me, Amelie. I’m confused.”
She seems to mull over my words for a few seconds, but as she raises her head, the vulnerability that bores into me is like a punch to my gut.
She squares her shoulders.
“I’m sure you mean for your story to give a very personal insight into who I am, correct?” She doesn’t wait for my answer. “If your story – my life, actually – is going to be sent out into the world, I might as well be as upfront with you as you’ve promised you’ll be with me.”
A sinking sensation settles over me and for the first time since I met her tonight, I hold my breath, anxious for what she’s going to reveal about herself.
“Wait,” I mutter. “Do you have a girlfriend?”
Her eyes shoot up.
“Pardon me?”
The sinking feeling intensifies, but I have to know.
“Are you gay? Is that the reason you’re so nervous about me writing this story?”
Fuck, I really hope she’s not gay.
Her lips quirk up at the corners and she shakes her head.
“No, I’m not gay.”
I release the breath I’ve been holding, and relief floods through me.
“Thank fuck for that.”
A snort escapes her lips before a charming giggle erupts.
“What an odd thing to say.”
I crack a smile at her and shrug,
“Sorry, but I’m going to let you in on a matter that’s quickly becoming vital to my health, Amelie Winters.”
She tilts her head at me, that small smile still grazing her lips.
“What’s that?”
I can’t stop my eyes from roaming her face, needing to memorise her every feature.
“I want to date you.”
Her mouth falls open, and I grin at the disbelief shining back at me.
“I know it can’t happen while we’re going to have a working relationship, but…” I take a step closer and she cranes her neck. “You’re beautiful, and I’m attracted to you, so once it’s all over, I want to date you.”
Her mouth shuts and opens a few times, and I fucking love that I’m already able to surprise her.
“I’m a virgin, Finlay,” she blurts out.
Fuck. Me.
I did not see that coming. How the hell is it possible for a lovely creature such as herself not to be shackled to some bloke?
Before I have time to gather my wits, she soldiers on.
“I don’t know how it’s possible for me to date you, because when it comes to men, I’m utterly clueless.” She shakes her head, but I take it as a good sign that she hasn’t backed away from me. “I get tongue-tied, I stammer, I get so nervous I can’t think straight, and to top it all off, I’m a workaholic – dancing is all I do, Finlay. I’m not even sure who I am without it.”
I glance at a couple as they pass us, astonished looks on their faces, and it’s no wonder as Amelie’s voice has grown louder by the second.
“Calm down, sweetheart,” I murmur and raise my hands to frame her face, but she doesn’t seem to take notice of my intentions.
“You’re probably thinking I’m daft, or stupid, or that there’s a tragic thing from my past that keeps me from dating – which there isn’t, by the way – or…” Her eyes turn wide with horror. “Oh, gosh, I can’t believe I told you. I-I’m so stupid.”
I frown down at her.
“Don’t ever let me hear you tell yourself you’re stupid,” I rumble.
The air grows thick with tension as she stops blabbering, and the longer I keep her gaze captivated with mine, the harder it gets to ignore her sweet, tempting mouth.
“I’m mortified,” she breathes and shuffles closer, her hands resting on my biceps.
Back away, Jensen. She’s not yours to keep.
But I can’t. The tension between us grows thicker, as if the air itself sizzles with the burning attraction I feel for her, and I can barely resist her. I thumb her lower lip, and a low growl erupts from so deeply inside me, I hardly recognise myself.
“You have no idea how badly I want to kiss you right now.”
She wets her lips, her grey-blue eyes falling to my mouth, and it’s a fucking miracle I manage to hold still. I want to fuse our lips together, swallow her moans as I push my tongue inside to taste hers. Warmth and desire run through my blood as I stare down at her, and I pull her flush to my chest. As crazy as it sounds, I’ve never felt this imminent need to taste another woman’s lips, and I can’t resist pushing my hardness into her belly. Her eyes widen as she feels how turned on I am, and I tip up her chin. Knowing no other guy has been inside her makes all thoughts of responsibility vaporise into the thin air, and I’m so far gone, I don’t care we’re not a regular couple coming home from their first date.
“Since you’ve never had a boyfriend, does that mean you’ve never come?”
She shakes her head slowly.
“Tell me,” I rasp.
“I didn’t say that.”
My breaths come out in low huffs, and I rest my forehead against hers as images of her lying down on a bed, her small fingers between her legs as she teases and rubs her clit flash between my eyelids.
“Fuck it.”
I’m done for.
Shaking from head to toe, I take her lips, rubbing them softly against mine and nibbling on them. I keep my hands on her face as I gently take control of the kiss. Her mouth opens on the sweetest moan I’ve ever heard, and I do what I’ve ached to do since I saw her dancing. My pulse pounds in my ears, but knowing she’s as innocent as they come, I slow down. I trace her lips with my tongue, swallowing another gasp, and I groan when my tongue finds hers. Vaguely, I feel her arms move up and around my neck and I kiss her harder. Her lips are sweet, eager, as she tentatively sucks on my tongue, making my eyes roll back in pleasure and need.
I need to stop.
I hate that I have to end the best fucking kiss of all first kisses, but if I don’t, I doubt I’ll be able to let her go tonight.
I swipe my tongue around hers a last time, silently begging her to stop being so sweet, but I doubt she could if she tried. I hang on to the short thread of willpower I have left and pull back. Again, I can’t resist tucking on her full lips, biting gently only to swipe the sting away with my tongue.
As I open my eyes, I remove my hands from around her face, and move down to wrap her tightly in my arms. The realisation that I’ve not had my fill of her sends my head into a tailspin, and a wave of dizziness passes over me, causing me to blink several times until I feel steady again.
What the fuck was that?
I watch her flushed face as her eyelids flutter open, and I lick my swollen lips when the darkness of her pupils sends another shot of lust straight through my aching cock. Even knowing I’ll spend the rest of the night with a throbbing set of blue balls, I can’t resist pressing a hard, yet short kiss to her lips one last time.
“Holy fuck,” she breathes.
I grind my teeth, because that about covers it.
“I shouldn’t have
done that.”
A small frown appears between her eyes.
“Why not?”
I bent my head as I peer down, catching her searching eyes.
“I don’t regret it. But it’s going to be so fucking hard not to do it again for the next few weeks.” I release a unsteady breath, shaken to my core by the effect she has on me. It feels like a rope snakes it way around my heart, squeezing it painfully as I watch the disappointment shining back at me. “I already want to taste you again, Amelie, but I shouldn’t.”
Every molecule in my body screams at me to take the words back, but the words are stuck in my throat; knowing it’s the right thing to do doesn’t make it hurt any less. It’s a physical ache, so foreign to me, and yet, its claws won’t let go of my soul.
Doing the right thing fucking stinks.
Slowly, she pries her arms away from my neck, making me miss her touch instantly, but I don’t stop her.
“It’s because you have to write that article, isn’t it?”
I nod.
“Yeah, it is.” I run my knuckles gently down her cheek. “I can’t be involved with you while it lasts, even though it’s all I want.” I hesitate, unsure whether I should reveal my innermost feelings, but I don’t get the chance when her phone rings. I cock a brow at her as the sounds of The Words by Christina Perri fills the night air.
It’s ironically fitting for what has transpired between us tonight.
Amelie pulls out her mobile and frowns down at it.
“I have to take this.”
I wave a hand at her as she brings it to her ear, silently telling her I don’t mind. I’m almost glad we got interrupted. This is getting too intense too fast.
Whatever this is.
“Hi, Daddy,” she mutters. “I forgot I meant to ring you.” Her look turns speculative until her lips tip up in the corners. “Thank you, I’ve had a fab birthday.”
She glances at me, and the lingering desire in her eyes causes the ache surrounding my heart to flare up anew.
“Daddy, I’m almost home. Can I ring you back? Yeah, I’m with someone.” She turns and walks slowly, and all I can do is tag along. I said I’d walk her home, and I’m not going to break my promise. “No, I’m not mad about the interview anymore. I’d have liked for you to talk with me first, though, Mr. Smith.”