“You do realize that I’m going to make it my mission to get you in a hot air balloon eventually, right?”
“Not if you want future dates you won’t.” I give him a saccharine smile.
He chuckles. “So as long as tomorrow’s date does not include any heights, apart from elevator rides, are you amenable?”
“I am.” I nod. “And I’d also like to state that I’m confident the date will go well and that the kiss you’re hoping will happen is already highly anticipated.”
“I’m very pleased to hear that.” His breath breaks across my cheek, and a moment later I feel the press of his lips, soft and warm, leaving a promise of more lingering on my skin. “What are your plans tomorrow?”
“I usually arrive fairly early so I can oversee takedown and make sure I’m around to say goodbye to all the guests.”
“What time would you be free?”
“Around two in the afternoon or so. Then I’ll have some Etsy orders to take care of.” Last I checked, I had at least fifteen orders to fulfill.
Jackson frowns. “How long will that take?”
“A few hours maybe.”
“Is it something I can help you with?”
“I guess it depends on how crafty you are.” I smooth his lapels for a reason to touch him.
“Hmm. Maybe I can just supervise, then.”
“It won’t be very exciting,” I warn.
“I don’t care if it’s exciting. I want to spend time with you. And after your Etsy orders are done, I want to take you out for dinner.” His gaze darts to my mouth and then back to my eyes. “I’m looking very forward to our first official date, but let’s not tell Serious London because I rather like Fun London, and I’d like her to be the one who shows up tomorrow night.”
I roll my eyes and grin, but I’m honestly worried that Fun London is going to do a disappearing act because Jackson is so intent on calling this a date. “I’ll try to keep Serious London on lockdown.”
“I would greatly appreciate that. I hear she’s not quite as adventurous as this Fun London I like so much.” His smile is full of mirth.
I swallow hard and whisper, “What if I’m not a fun date?”
“We’ve been on at least a dozen dates so far. The only thing that was missing was the label and me getting to kiss you at the end of each one.” He tucks a loose tendril of hair behind my ear, even though I didn’t feel one. I don’t mind. I appreciate the contact. “You’re a fabulous date, London. Every time we’ve done something together, it’s been more fun than the last.”
I meet his amused gaze. “Can I be honest about something?”
“Absolutely.” The humor in his expression fades, and he regards me with mild concern.
“What you said in regard to finding out what my lips taste like.” I bite my lip, nervous that I’m going to mess this up.
“What about that?” He nods solemnly and his eyes dart to my mouth.
I run my hands over his suit jacket-clad shoulders. “I was wondering, since you’ve pointed out that all of these business meetings you’ve organized over the past couple of months have been more like dates, if maybe waiting until tomorrow night to find out what my mouth tastes like is a little pointless.”
“Interesting. I’ve actually wondered that myself.” He cups my cheek in his palm.
“I suppose if we’re both wondering the same thing, then maybe it would make sense to just throw caution to the wind and find out before the date.”
“That seems like something Fun London would definitely do.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” I bite my lip.
“And we both know how much I like Fun London.” He bows his head, lips an inch from mine.
I tip my head up and push to my tiptoes. At the same time, I slip a hand around the back of Jackson’s neck and tug, just a little. His lips touch mine, a barely there caress. He comes back again, lingering this time. We tilt our heads, lips parting at the same time, tongues stroking out to meet each other.
One of his hands stays on my cheek, but the other arm wraps around my waist, and he pulls me against him. I loop my arms around his neck and slide my fingers into his thick hair. He had it cut recently, the back shorter than usual.
I feel like I’m freefalling into heaven. His mouth is magic, his lips soft like satin. His kiss is both tender and commanding, and I find myself wanting to get caught up in the wave of bliss and ride it all the way to his hotel room. And then ride him.
I can’t remember a time in my life when a kiss had the ability to undo me entirely. And this kiss definitely possesses that quality. I want to get closer, put my hands all over him. It’s as though this one single kiss has lit a fire inside of me. One I didn’t even know existed.