night to end. This date is way better than I ever thought possible. Reese is so easy to talk to, and I never would have thought it, but we have a ton in common.
“You’re smiling.” Reese reaches across the table and takes my hand. I’ve set my wine glass down, freshly filled and only a sip taken.
He’s right. I am smiling. “Is that okay?”
Reese flashes his teeth, and in his face, I see Shayne. I try to bring Shayne into my thoughts, but he won’t come. He’s slipped out of my mind; there’s not room for both of them, and right now, I’m totally occupied with the overpowering presence of Reese.
“You are totally sexy when you smile.”
I know my face must be bright red, but his comment only makes me smile more. “You’re not so bad yourself.” And it’s true. Reese has been perfect. Funny. Gorgeous. Reckless.
“I love you.”
His words stop my breath.
“I swear I’m in love with you.”
My eyes manage to find his and lock onto them. I’m sure he’s joking. But his eyes aren’t laughing. The blue’s darkened, and the emotion behind them makes me hold my breath until I realize I’ve stopped breathing.
“You’ve known me less than a week.”
His eyes continue to hold mine, not letting me go. “Just let yourself feel it, Piper. Let yourself believe in love at first sight. Think how good we would feel together.”
He’s chipping away at the wall inside me. “But love…” I say.
“I feel like I’ve known you forever.”
I’m not sure why, but I feel the same way. Like part of me has known Reese since before I was even born.
“I would do anything for you, Piper. Anything you want.” Reese won’t take his eyes off me. “If I can’t have you, it’ll kill me.”
My mind tells me this is not standard first date conversation. I try to lighten the mood. “Isn’t that a bit extreme?”
“Maybe. But I see nothing wrong with being extreme.”
I can hardly form a response. “You probably say that to all the girls you date.”
“Only girls named Piper who take my breath away.”
I smile but stand and pull my hand away. “Can you take me home?” What I need is some fresh air. I can hardly take my eyes off Reese. He’s permeated my soul and moved deep into me. I feel nothing like myself, but I absolutely love the way I’m feeling.
Reese’s smile returns and quells the edgy atmosphere. “Do you want to finish your wine first?”
“I’ve had enough.” Actually, I think we’ve both had enough.
Reese stands up, leaving a few bills on the table. Large bills. “Like I said, anything you want.”
We don’t speak as we take the elevator down, though his arm is around me, pulling me close as if he wants the world to know we’re together. When we reach the bottom floor and the doors open, Reese walks out first and then takes my hand.
My heart pounds, drumming in my ears so hard I’m surprised I hear anything else. But I listen to the doors shut behind us and the elevator gears start up again. Reese keeps hold of my hand, and sweat forms between our fingers. I move to let go, but he grabs my other hand, and with a single motion, he pulls me close to him. The wine’s thick and sweet on his breath, mixing with his already exotic fragrance. I can’t help but breathe it in, and I let it fill my lungs. But once again, I think of Shayne, and the image of his face finally comes to me. His black hair covering his forehead. His golden shoulders and mysterious eyes.
I shake my head.
“I’m just asking you to give me a chance, Piper,” Reese says. “That’s all.”
He leans forward like he’s about to kiss me. I freeze, and my mind spins. I’m searching for the right answer. Trying to decide if I should kiss him. But before I can decide, his mouth is on mine. His full lips press into my own, and I feel them separate, his tongue slipping into the space in between. Even with the image of Shayne in my head, Reese’s presence takes over, and my own tongue meets his. I kiss him in return. I put my arms around him, pulling him into me with ferocity equaling his own. He tastes even better than he smells, and my mind plays out infinite scenarios of what the future will hold. What our future will hold.
I never want the kiss to stop, but I force myself to pull back.
Reese is breathless as he stares at me. “Just give me a chance.”
The valet runs as soon as he sees us, and within minutes, Reese’s sleek, black car crawls around the corner. He helps me in and again buckles me up. His arm feels warm when it touches me, and part of me wants it to stay there. But the seat belt clicks, and he moves it away.
The car barely makes a sound when it comes to a stop outside the Botanical Haven. I’ve only left a single light on in the place—upstairs. Even the plants need nighttime to grow. Especially with unending summer.
I unclip my belt, and Reese does the same.
“Thanks for a nice evening.” And I’m suddenly wondering what will happen now.
Reese smiles with just a touch of humor that tells me he’s not ready for the night to end. “You’re not going to invite me in?”
The part of me that feels like an imposter is screaming to invite him in. To explore life a little. But I think if I invite Reese in right now, he’ll never leave.
I think I don’t mind.
“Maybe for a couple minutes.” I’m aching to see what the next level feels like.
“Right. Just a couple minutes.”
Reese opens his door and starts to stand up, but five seconds later he sinks back into the seat, and it’s like he’s transformed. He grips his hands on the steering wheel and looks straight ahead. “On second thought, I better go.”
“Really?”
He takes a deep breath, holds it for a couple seconds, and then blows it out slowly. “Yeah, really.”
“Why?” Have I done something to upset him in the last two seconds?
“It doesn’t matter.” His words are clipped, and there’s no question in them.
I put my hand on the door handle and pop it open and try to pretend I don’t care. “It’s okay. I’m tired anyway.” Which is a lie. My mind spins as it tries to figure out what happened.
In case I was worried about Reese trying to kiss me again, I’m assuaged. He reaches over and pats my hand. “I’ll see you around, Piper.”
Just like that. Like we hadn’t kissed back at the hotel. Like he hadn’t told me he loved me.
I push the car door all the way open. “Yeah, I’ll see you around.” And then I get out and shut the door behind me.
Chapter 11
Desire
I’m not two steps away from Reese’s car when it drives off. He’s left me, and now I stand alone in the darkness. I can’t help the tears that spring to my eyes. It’s like I’ve been dumped. He really left.
I wipe away a tear, and that’s when I see Shayne. He’s sitting on my front doorstep waiting for me. Had Reese seen him? Could that be the reason why he went away?
Our eyes meet, and Shayne stands.
“Hi, Piper.”
“Shayne?” I stop in my tracks and stand there and try to wrap my mind around the fact that he’s here waiting for me.
He leans against the railing and gives me a crooked smile. “You’re home early.”
