“You thought you’d try me out, too?”
She flashed a surprisingly wicked smile. “I thought I’d try a date with you. And, unfortunately, I thought I’d do it in front of Victor. I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry. It was a momentary impulse. I’d already changed my mind when you weren’t at the brewery, but then you walked in….”
He shrugged. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t have shown him up. But I would’ve appreciated a warning.”
She touched his arm. “I really am sorry. Let’s leave.”
“I don’t know. You’re already using me. I’m all dressed up. We may as well make the most of it.”
“Jamie—”
“Hey.” He took the hand she was gesturing with and curled it against his chest. “Just answer one question. Are you interested in me or not?”
Her fingers squeezed his. “I’m interested in you. But I think—”
“That’s all I need to know right now.” He eased a little closer as she brushed her hair behind her ear. A nervous gesture. “Exactly how jealous do you want to make him?”
“I don’t want to make him jealous. I just want him to stop flaunting his girls in front of me. It’s rude.”
“Rude,” he said with a smile. “You know what? You’re right. It’s definitely not polite. So how deep do you want to drive the point?”
Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
“A kiss? Just to teach him a lesson in etiquette?”
“Etiquette, huh?” She laughed and the sound danced over his skin. But when she was done laughing, the question still hung between them, and she eyed him with a different sort of nervousness. “You mean out there in front of everyone?”
“No. Right here.”
“But…how will he know?”
He watched as she licked her lips, her tongue flashing just quickly enough to make him want more of it. “Oh,” Jamie said. “He’ll know.”
“Well, if you think it’ll work…”
“I know it’ll work,” he said softly, easing closer. She looked like she’d be easy to startle, and he didn’t want to do that. Just as he’d expected, she shifted a little, drawing her head back a fraction of an inch.
He smiled. “Where are you going?”
“I don’t know. I just…”
But her words died when he touched his mouth to hers, a careful touch, barely a kiss at all.
“Okay,” she sighed, her eyes closing. “Just a kiss.”
Jamie closed his own and kissed her again. A longer taste, but still soft. But this time when he drew away, she closed the space between them, and this was a real kiss. Her lips parted just enough that he could feel her breath and the warmth of her mouth. He kissed her top lip, then her bottom, touching his tongue to that plump, pink flesh.
She sighed again, whispering the sound against his skin, and Jamie couldn’t wait another moment to taste her. When he slipped his tongue into her, she was hot and sweet with wine. But he still held back, barely rubbing his tongue over hers, allowing himself time to enjoy it. They were in a kitchen at a stranger’s party. There’d be nothing more than kissing, and he wanted to feel every moment of it.
A few endless heartbeats later, Jamie drew back, slightly dazed as he opened his eyes to the glaring lights of the modern kitchen. Olivia looked dazed, too, blinking as if she was waking up. Her pupils were dilated, her cheeks flushed, and her lips were red as cherries. Her ex wouldn’t be able to miss that, even if he wanted to.
“Wow,” she whispered. “You’re good at that.”
“I like kissing.”
“I think I do, too,” she said, and he couldn’t help but laugh.
“Come on. We’d better get in there before it wears off.”