Page 47 of The Kiss Connection

He wouldn’t.

There are photographers outside.

They’d notice. That would be an even bigger story, and not one that would help his career. Plus, he’d have to get his vehicle from valet, and the pickup spot is right by the photographers.

I think I’m safe, for now.

I snatch one of his scallops, not that I don’t have my own, but they are so delicious that I want one more. Or, more importantly, I want him to have one less.

Call it payback.

Not that he’ll even notice.

I grab another bacon-wrapped shrimp, this time from his appetizer plate, and I glance at the window, realizing this is all being photographed. Well, shit.

I force a smile and then pop it into my mouth, waiting for him to come back.

Thankfully, Myles doesn’t disappoint me.

On his return, his hand is on my back and he leans down, kissing my cheek.

I freeze, not expecting his mouth near mine. My breath catches in my throat.

Myles doesn’t say a word. He doesn’t have to, he can see what his little game has done to me, and I hate how easily my body betrays me. My cheeks are red, my gaze completely on him, the world around us disappearing.

“I don’t think I said it earlier, but you look really beautiful tonight, Juniper.”

The way he says my name makes my heart flutter. I open my mouth, about to respond when he cuts me off.

“You ate my appetizers?” His mouth drops, and I can’t tell if he’s appalled, pissed, or shocked. Maybe a bit of all three.

Thirteen

Myles

I don’t dare want to admit that I actually had a nice time out with Juniper for our date. Would I want to do it again? That’s a heavily loaded question. But it was … nice. Civil. We didn’t kill each other.

I park my Stingray in the garage and climb out, walking around to get Juniper’s door, but she’s already out of the vehicle. I slip my keys into my pocket and walk alongside her as we head for the elevator.

She’s shivering.

The garage, unfortunately, isn’t heated.

That wasn’t an option or I’d have gladly paid extra to have temperature-controlled parking. I slip off my coat, draping it over her shoulders.

“What are you⁠—”

“Just say thank you, Pint Size,” I quip, and she tugs the jacket tighter, slipping her hands through the arms and zipping it up.

I’m instantly regretting that I didn’t wear a suit coat or sport coat, because I’d have another layer on right now.

We approach the elevator and I hit the button quite a few times.

“Looks who’s impatient now,” Juniper says with a smirk.

“Are you mocking me?” I ask. I’m grateful to have her alone, just the two of us. Not because I want to do anything intimate, far from it.

Well, not entirely true. The thought of pushing her up against the elevator, watching her cheeks flush, is tempting. I’m pretty sure she’d knee me in the balls.