Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,42

of you that feels the same way about me . . .” He trailed off, his gorgeous dark eyes suddenly sad.

She trembled, the confession stumbling past her lips. “I did. I do. I felt something.” Her face heated. “The kiss.”

He lifted his hand again, his finger tracing the line of her jaw in a tender caress. “Good. I know it’s complicated. But God, I want to give you so much, if you’d only give me a chance.”

A shudder shook through her. Why hadn’t she noticed such vulnerability when he looked at her? She had mistaken the fierce protectiveness that shimmered from his aura as arrogance. What other mistakes had she made judging him? It was as if the world she’d known had just been torn down to the foundation, and it was up to her to rebuild it.

And in that moment, she had a sudden need to kiss him again, to be held in his arms and experience the same pop of desire tangled within a beautiful safety—the perfect combination. The urge was startling in its intensity. This was brand new to her, and she didn’t know what she was ready for.

“I think we both need to be open and honest. I wanted you to kiss me,” she said, tilting her chin up. “I’m just not sure what comes next.”

He nodded. “We can talk about it. What you feel comfortable with. I can give you time to think.” A small smile touched his lips. “I’m not expecting you to suddenly admit you have the same feelings I do. I just don’t want to hide mine anymore.”

She touched his hand. “I don’t want you to. But I need some space and time for a bit. Okay?”

“Okay.” He turned to go, then paused. “We can talk more later, but I want you to know whatever happens, I won’t let it affect Sunshine Bridal. I swear it to you, Bella.” With a last, lingering look, he grabbed the bag he’d gotten from Taylor and walked out the door.

His words and his scent and his taste surrounded her. She groaned. Her body throbbed with an ache she hadn’t felt in forever, and her head felt like it was ready to explode with her swirling thoughts.

Switching off the lights, she went to bed, hoping for a few hours of darkness and silence.

But she dreamed of Gabe, and the way he’d kissed her, and the sweet promises she suddenly wanted to believe in.

Chapter Nine

“We have a problem,” Bella said.

Gabe tried not to panic, but it had already been a long-ass day. This morning, he’d driven two hours to the greenhouse to pick up the right tree seeds for the favors, not trusting they’d be delivered on time. He had hit traffic so he skipped lunch, then met Bella at Sally’s Stationery Store, where they’d crammed together at a tiny table to pore through huge manuals of paper samples until they found the perfect bamboo parchment to create the Dr. Seuss quotes. They were heading to Aloha for an acai bowl when she stopped short on the sidewalk, gaze trained on her phone.

They hadn’t mentioned the other night. Sucked immediately into work, he was grateful there wasn’t any awkwardness between them. Of course, they’d been stuck in a small space, heads together, thighs touching, while he desperately tried to focus on paper instead of kissing her again. But he’d gone over and over every detail of their encounter, and he didn’t regret a second.

Kissing Bella for the first time had been worth the wait. And now, there was nowhere for him to hide. The truth was out, and it was now up to her.

He shook his head and refocused. “Is it a problem that will delay lunch?”

“Maybe. I got a text from Adele. It says: Darlings, I forgot to mention the birds. I’d like Dr. Seuss birds. Kisses and thanks.”

He waited for more, but she stopped. “Wait, that’s it? She wants Dr. Seuss birds? What does that even mean?”

“I don’t know, but let me call Stacia.” She dialed, hitting “Speaker,” as they walked.

Thank God the assistant picked up. “Bella, I figured I’d be hearing from you.”

“Hi, Stacia. Can you give me more details than what was in Adele’s text? What type of birds? Is she talking doves to release after their vows?”

“No, she’s decided birds could be a fun touch for the reception, especially if they look similar to something from a Dr. Seuss book. She doesn’t care how they are incorporated, or how many; she’s leaving