“Arff!”
Jackson smiled and gazed down at Gizmo. “I wasn’t talking to you, boy.” Jackson’s gaze rose until it met Serena’s again. “I was talking to you.”
“Um, well, um...no. But I’m not exactly dressed for it.”
His gaze skimmed over her white coat, red scarf and faded jeans. “There’s nothing wrong with what you’re wearing.”
She lifted a hand to her hair. “But I didn’t do anything with my hair.”
“You look cute with a ponytail. It suits you. You worry too much. You’re beautiful just the way you are.”
The way Jackson stared so deeply into her eyes made the rest of the world fade away. In that moment, it was as if just the two of them existed. He was staring at her like—like he wanted to kiss her.
Her gaze lowered, taking in his very tempting mouth. The thought of once again being held in his very capable arms and feeling his mouth pressed to hers was quite tempting. Was it possible that he was the first man to like her just the way she was?
Her father had always been disappointed in her. It didn’t matter if it was her choice in movie roles or if it was the style of her haircut. She’d never gained his approval and then he’d died on her before anything could be resolved between them. One minute he was giving her a hard time about not aligning her romantic relationship with her career. And the next, he was lying on the floor, dead, from a massive heart attack. That was it. No time for “I love yous” or “goodbyes.” It was just over—in a heartbeat.
Maybe that was why she let herself become involved with her leading man. Shawn was great-looking and he could say all the right things, but she soon learned that it was all a show. He was constantly acting, being whoever he needed to be to impress people—to get a leg up in the Hollywood world.
But Jackson didn’t want anything from her. Not even an interview. He was the first man who’d ever been comfortable with who he was without having to put on a show for the public, which surprised her. After all, Jackson’s career was about projecting a certain image for the public, but here he was with scruff on his jaw and his hair a little ruffled by the breeze and he wasn’t the least bit worried about his appearance.
She liked being treated like a real person instead of a star. A smile lifted her lips. She liked Jackson. He was so different from the other men who had passed through her life.
“I don’t know what’s going through your mind,” Jackson said, “but whatever it is, I approve. You should smile more often.”
Just then Gizmo saw another dog. Being the friendly sort, he wanted to go visit. He started to run, but after walking in a circle, his leash was now wrapped around Jackson and herself. So when Gizmo ran out of length, the leash yanked them together.
Her hands pressed upon Jackson’s very firm chest. She had to crane her neck to look into his eyes. It was then that his gaze moved to her lips. He lowered his head and immediately claimed her lips.
His kiss was gentle and sweet. It made her wish that they were back at the cabin where the kiss didn’t have to end—where they could see where it would lead. Because she realized that their time together was almost at an end. Jackson would have to get back to the project that he’d flown to Austria to do, and she needed to add some serious word count to her screenplay if she wanted it ready for her agent when she returned to Hollywood. It would hopefully give the paparazzi something to talk about besides her scandalous love life.
“Arff! Arff!”
Their lips parted and they turned to Gizmo. He jumped up, placing his front paws on Jackson’s good leg.
“I think someone wants to be picked up,” Serena said.
“That might be easier if he hadn’t wrapped us up in his leash.”
“Maybe someone shouldn’t have released so much of his leash.”
Jackson’s eyes widened. “You’re blaming me for this?”
“I’m not blaming anyone. I certainly don’t mind being tied up with you.”
His brows rose. “Oh. You don’t, huh?”
When Jackson leaned in for another kiss, Serena pressed her hand to his chest. “How about you hold that thought until later?”
“Later?” He started to frown but then his eyes widened as he caught her true intention. A broad smile lit up his face. “I think that can be arranged.”
More and more people continued to arrive at the market. No wonder Gizmo had changed his mind about wandering off and instead wanted to be held. He was not used to such a crowd. The Christmas market really drew in the people. But who could blame them? This was the most wonderful time of the year.
Jackson quickly untangled all three of them. “There. Now shall we go explore?”
“Are you sure you’re up for this? The doctor did say that your leg will tire quickly with that boot on.”
“Stop worrying. I’m fine. I’ll let you know when I get tired.”