His rumbling chuckle shook us both slightly, then he kissed the top of my head again. “For the record, I find you electrifying. I already want to be around you constantly.” His arm slipped back to hold my hand for a second. “But we should finish our dinner before Mongkon and Pawida wonder what’s wrong.”
Somehow we cleared everything on the table, which definitely impressed the lovely owners. They gave us mango sticky rice for dessert, and I thought I might explode from so much incredible food.
Instead of going straight to the car, Matt led me to a park across the street. “Before we sit for half an hour, let’s stretch our legs for a few minutes and shake down dinner.”
“Great idea.”
The park was filled with looping paths that ran past beautiful gardens. Then we paused at a flowering tree.
“Look,” Matt said, pointing to the east, where the moon was coming up over the horizon. It was only maybe two-thirds full, but seemed extra large at that angle.
Then he nodded to the tree beside us. “All women are looking for moonlight and roses, right?
“Actually, I think this is a Rose of Sharon.”
“The word rose is in the name. Work with me, I’m improvising here.”
It was surprising how easily he made me laugh. It honestly felt like I’d known him for weeks or months, instead of a few days.
“Okay, Mr. Smartypants, what are you trying to improvise?”
Matt stepped closer, as his thumb ran gently along my cheek. “The absolute perfect first kiss.”
I half gasped, my lips parting. It was an invitation that he accepted.
My hand slipped up to his shoulders, drawing us together as he kissed me gently. I loved how cautious he was. So careful, as if he didn’t want to hold me too tightly, for fear that he’d frighten me somehow.
Yet this closeness was the opposite of fear. I felt completely safe and comfortable in his arms. For the first time, the inner chatter of my mind was silenced.
His lips were surprisingly soft as he deepened the kiss, tasting me tenderly as a soft moan escaped my throat. I could feel him smile, holding me tighter as the rest of the world melted away.
Time seemed to stop as my head swam. This sweet, handsome, adorable man seemed completely infatuated with me. And I was already lost in him.
Chapter 4
_____
Matt
I’d never felt this sort of connection from a simple kiss. It was as if gravity itself hadn’t really latched onto me properly until Julia’s lips met mine.
Her soft moan made me wonder if nobody had ever kissed her properly before. Good. She needed to stay away from those stupid boys and be with a man who would treat her right.
My arms clasped her tightly as her graceful hands wrapped around my neck. Her lips parted more, allowing my tongue to slip in, tasting her warmth, her sweetness.
Her entire body pressed to mine as I realized I was hard as stone without any direct contact. The sound of her halting breath was driving me to the edge. For a solid few seconds, I imagined walking her to the far edge of the park and taking her right there, against a tree.
Yet there’s no way that would be good enough for my darling angel.
“Let’s get you home before I get any supremely inappropriate thoughts,” I murmured, kissing over to her ear as she squirmed against me.
I placed one more kiss on those perfect lips before staring into her eyes. “I’m already falling hard for you, Julia. Please tell me that you don’t have any more dates planned with anyone but me?”
That sweet giggle was gentle music. “No, I don’t.”
“Good. I don’t even know how the dating world works anymore, but you’re mine now.”
“Geez, you’re bossy.” The twinkle in her eye said she didn’t mind one bit.