Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16678 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16678 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
I couldn’t fight the urge any longer. Reaching up, I brushed his hair awayfrom where it was in danger of tangling with his long eyelashes. Since I was already taking liberties, I dragged the tips of my fingers along his cheek in a light caress that had Kaylan tipping his head up like a cat seeking affection.
“I create digital art and doodles every once in a while. Not nearly as much as I would like. Since it’s my day job, I don’t feel like drawing in my spare time like I used to.”
“That sucks,” Kaylan mumbled.
One shoulder lifted in a weak shrug. “I enjoy my job, so I don’t mind much. There are plenty of other things, such as hours of anime watching, to keep me occupied.”
I continued on the path to leave the room, but Kaylan caught my elbow, holding me back. The spot we were standing in was heavy with thick leaves crowding close on all sides. It was easy to believe that we were alone in a tropical forest with only a soft trickle of water and hidden animals watching us.
“I’m sorry about what happened with your ex at the bridge,” Kaylan apologized.
“What?” I whispered, completely confused. Was he apologizing because there was a chance Tim had cheated on me? I was over that bullshit. There was nothing between us any longer. Tim had Karl and right now, all my focus was on the frowning man at my side.
“I shouldn’t have kissed you without asking first. Something about Tim made me angry, and I just had to show him up. To prove that you were over him and so much better off without him in your life.” Kaylan’s adorable nose wrinkled. “One of my less-than-stellar traits—I can be impulsive.”
Pinching one of his coat lapels between my thumb and forefingers, I tugged Kaylan in close enough to bump his chest against mine. “You have absolutely nothing to apologize for. Maybe I was pissy at first, but you reminded me that I am over him and my life is better off without him.” I dropped my head so that my forehead pressed into his. “As a side note, I am so glad you kissed me. I’ve been wanting to kiss you since you confessed that your boss set you up on this date. I was afraid that you’d think I was too aggressive if I kissed you too soon.”
“That is very good to know.”
“Good.”
“This would also be a good time for you to kiss me to prove that you don’t mind me kissing you,” Kaylan teased.
I wanted to laugh, but I wasn’t stupid enough to pass up that oh-so-subtle hint. Tipping my mouth just right, I captured his plush lips in a deep kiss to leave him hungry for a hundred more kisses, just like this. Kaylan’s free hand landed on my chest and slid up, gripping my shoulder as if he wanted to get closer.
But that wasn’t possible. Not here.
This date needed another stop. A secluded, private one—like his place. Or mine.
5
KAYLAN
The date I hadn’t wanted to happen was about to end, and that sucked.
We’d wandered through all the rooms of Krohn Conservatory. The only spot left was the tiny gift shop.
Before Arden could take a single step toward the exit, I darted into the gift shop that was loaded with pretty knickknacks and room for only two or three customers at a time. I had no intention of purchasing anything, but I panicked.
How did I keep this going?
The kisses we’d shared made it clear that Arden was interested. Should I ask him out for an early dinner? There weren’t any other romantic indoor spots to hit in Eden Park. If I suggested we wander the park in winter, we would freeze our butts off in a matter of minutes.
Movie? Clichéd.
Back to my place? He’d think I was moving too fast.
But where to go? I’d rather we go to my place or even his. We’d been interrupted enough by random people and ex-boyfriends. I wanted to talk to him alone.
Okay, I wanted to suck on his tongue and other body parts without the risk of being pulled apart.
“Perfect,” Arden announced as he closed his large hand around something. The man was already turning to the cash register before I could see what he’d found.
“What’s perfect?”
“It’s a surprise,” he answered over his shoulder.
I frowned at his back for a second and then looked at the display he’d been standing in front of, trying to figure out what he’d picked up. Flower bulbs, wind chimes, small blown-glass hummingbird feeders, and different handmade ornaments filled the shop. My eyes skimmed over the colorful items, all of it gorgeous, but nothing that struck me as “perfect.”
With no ideas coming to me, I completed a quick circuit through the rest of the store and made it to the cash register run by a white-haired woman as Arden accepted his receipt with one hand and placed his purchase into his pocket with the other. A smug smile graced his lips, and that only made me want to kiss it off his mouth.