“Every successful business needs one. Mine is to educate, motivate, and support each client by way of an individualized program designed to maximize his physical and emotional health.”
“Wow.” Eve’s fork stopped halfway to her mouth. “That’s beautiful, Jonny. So thorough, yet so succinct.”
“That’s what makes a good mission statement.” He smiled. “Have you forgotten I majored in business as well as physical education?”
She shook her head. She hadn’t forgotten. She just hadn’t given it a second thought since college five years ago.
“So what would be a good mission statement for my studio?”
“Only you can decide that,” he said. “But I’ll be happy to help.”
Her mind churned. Why did she want to teach? Certainly not because she knew she’d have to give up performing eventually, though that was a consideration. Because she loved to dance. She was good at it, and she wanted to share her love with others. Be a mentor to students who could someday achieve, and hopefully surpass, her success.
“You’re thinking,” Jon said. “Your pretty lips are mushed together.”
How did he do that? “Just considering my mission statement. There’s so much I want to put in it.”
He smiled, and her heart melted. Gorgeous didn’t begin to describe this man.
“That’s part of what I love about you, honey. Your tenacity. You’ll be a wonderful dance teacher. You’ll give it your all, just like you do every time you dance.”
The warmth of a blush drifted over her flesh. “Thank you. That’s a lovely compliment.”
“It’s the truth.” Tiny sparks trickled over her. “Well, no more about mission statements. That’s business. Tonight’s for pleasure.”
She patted her lips with her napkin. “I have to admit, this was a great meal, Jonny. I couldn’t even tell that my eggplant parmesan was low fat.”
“Told you.” He scribbled on the check and handed it to the waitress. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah.” Eve stood and gathered her purse. Her hand found his, and they walked the four blocks to their loft.
The delicate evening breeze brushed Eve’s heated skin like a soft embrace. When they reached the door to the loft, Jon bent and kissed her cheek. His rough stubble scraped her smooth skin. Chills crept along her arms. He pulled her into his arms, his large muscled body pressing into her. His long arms circled her waist.
“I love you.” His whisper caressed her neck. “I know you can’t say it back, and I understand, but I’ve been dying to tell you for so long. I’ll probably say it a hundred times tonight.”
Heat pooled between her legs. She wanted to say it back. She did love him. But just last night she’d wanted to say the same words to Brian. Surely she was flawed. Some weird psychological disorder. She’d had many male companions over the years, yet had never fallen in love with any of them. Now, she found herself in love with two men.
Flawed. Definitely flawed.
“Honey? You look a little troubled.”
Jon’s words cut into her. Now was not the time to ruminate on her problem. She owed Jon a night, and she wanted it as much as he did. “Would you kiss me, Jon?”
He smiled a lazy half-smile. “You got it.” He turned her in his arms and brushed those beautiful lips back and forth against hers.
Spine-tingling. That’s what his kiss was. He traced her lips with his tongue. Teasing. Provoking. So different than Brian.
Nope. Not going to think about Brian.
She opened her lips, and Jon slid his tongue in. Hot, wet, delicious. He tasted of cinnamon and cream. Warm, comforting, yet intense at the same time. Delectable.
A soft groan hummed into her mouth. He was enjoying this. God, so was she. His velvety tongue tangled with hers. Weak-kneed and limp, she sighed into his inviting mouth, unprepared for the passion and magnitude of such a gentle kiss.
Because I love him. It’s passionate and intense because I love him and he loves me.
He broke the kiss and drew a ragged breath. “Honey, I love you so much.” He trailed moist kisses over her cheek to her lobe. He nibbled on it, traced the outer shell of her ear, and blew on the wetness.
She shivered.