Sweet On You - By Kate Perry Page 0,37

let her go. He surprised her by catching her by the back of her head. He held her close and took her mouth all over again.

He tore her world apart.

One touch of his lips redefined a kiss in her mind. It was more than the sweet kisses they'd shared before. It whispered of passion and dark need, of perilous heights and thrilling falls. It engulfed and enflamed. It made her soar and grounded her at once.

Something inside her body shifted, melted, came to life. She gasped, holding his arms to keep steady. "I think I just discovered your superpower," she murmured against his talented lips.

"As long as it's your Kryptonite." As he kissed her again, his hand snuck inside her sweater, and she felt it warm and exciting on her skin.

Then he lifted his head, brushing her tingling lips with his thumb, looking into her eyes like all the secrets of life were there. "Go out with me," he said. "On a real date, where it's purposeful, and I bring you flowers and take you to dinner and get nervous about whether you'll let me get to second base after."

"What's this?" Her voice was so husky with desire she didn't recognize it.

"This is an accidental encounter brought on by unseen forces." He held her chin with his fingers. "I'd like to go out once knowing that we're on the same page. That you admit you like me."

"I always liked you."

"Enough to go on a date with me?"

She tried to think of Tony, but the only face in her mind was Brian's. A date with him? That'd be...

Nice.

Fun.

Hot, if making out tonight was any indication.

Maybe Valentine was right. Maybe she should just try it.

So she nodded. "Okay."

"Okay." He exhaled, letting her go. "Good."

Trying not to feel bereft by the loss of touch, she straightened her clothing. "Brian?"

"Marley?" He hopped down from the wall and held his arms open.

She jumped into them, knowing without a doubt that he'd catch her. She slid down his body and braced her hands on his shoulders. "You don't need to worry about getting to second base."

His smile was like the sun rising. "Good to know."

She gave him what she hoped was a mysterious smile and led him back through the garden.

Chapter Eighteen

Daniela slipped into sassy red heels that were going to kill her feet in an hour. But Nico would love them, and he was taking her to the opera tonight, so she figured he deserved some sort of reward.

He hated opera. He hadn't said as much, but she could tell it wasn't his thing. She'd grown up with it. Of course, her brother had grown up with it too, and he hated it, so maybe it was a guy thing.

Nico didn't talk about his childhood—ever. But if she had to guess, she'd have said knife fights in alleyways were the evening entertainments he enjoyed, not opera.

She went downstairs, swinging her purse. Whatever his childhood, he'd made the most of himself. He was successful, determined, and caring, though he'd deny that.

She liked him.

It was sweet now, but she wasn't sure how long it'd last. She couldn't tell how he felt about the fact that she was buying the building. Since the day Chris Ludlow had consented to sell her the building, they'd had a tacit agreement not to discuss it. Would his male ego get over her winning? She wouldn't be sure until she signed the paperwork and it was hers. He said he hated to lose—did he like her enough to overcome that?

Tonight wasn't the night to think about that. One day at a time, she told herself as she reached the first floor.

"Hello, Daniela."

She shrieked, whirling to find her brother sitting in the front room. His tie was loosened and the first couple buttons of his shirt were undone. His feet rested on a table in front of him, and he held a tumbler with whiskey in his hand. He'd turned on the fireplace next to him.

"Tony?" She walked slowly into the room, not believing her eyes. "What are you doing here?"

He smiled but it held no amusement. "Not happy to see me?"

"Actually, no, I'm not." She put her hands on her hips. "Did Marley know you were coming out?"

"No."

"So..." She shook her head. "Why are you here?"

"Someone has to stop this spring break episode you and Marley have going."

She glanced at the glass in his hand. "How much have you been drinking?"

"I've been wondering the same about you."

"Oh, no, you don't." Pointing a