Joshua’s grin came sure and beautiful as his eyes lit up. Then he grew more serious as he stared deeply at her and said, “I would love that.”
He reached out his hand and she took it. They took the elevator, neither of them saying anything but the anticipation growing in the air between them. Jade was nervous and excited. She had to kiss him. She knew it. Hang her getting the interview for her blog. Who cared if Joshua was reclusive and didn’t want the world to hear his story? She only wanted him.
They wandered slowly toward the front of the ship. It was dimly lit and no one was on the deck where earlier in the day sunbathers had laid on all these lounge chairs. Joshua stopped next to the railing. The breeze ruffled Jade’s hair but the air was warm like a kiss. Like a kiss. Her brain was as ready as the rest of her.
She turned to Joshua. He was looking down at her. Jade bit at her lip and said, “I guess you understand the nature of this meeting?”
Joshua chuckled. He released her hand and wrapped his arms around her lower back. With her heels on she was a little closer to his height but she’d still have to wrap her arms around his neck for leverage and go on tiptoes. She was looking forward to it.
“I believe so. You’re ready to lose a bet?”
She couldn’t hide her smile. “I guess I’m okay with that, but don’t plan on me losing in the future.”
His face sobered. “Do we have a future, Jade?”
She gulped but nodded. “I sure hope so.”
“Me too.”
A few beats passed. Jade didn’t know what their future would look like but after this week she knew she wouldn’t survive long without him.
“It’s time then,” he said.
“For?”
“You to kiss me.” He smirked but it was so appealing on his handsome face.
“Okay big guy. You asked for it.”
His hands tightened on her back. “I’m begging for it, love,” his voice was so deep and husky it made her stomach heat up.
“Well I hate to make you beg, but …” She winked at him.
“Please, Jade,” his low voice rumbled through her they were so close. “Please kiss me so I can kiss you back.”
Jade’s entire body was hot. How would him kissing her back feel? Any different than her kissing him? There was one way to find out.
She slid her arms around his neck, pulled his head down closer as she arched onto tiptoes. Tentatively at first she kissed his delicious-looking lips and found they tasted better than they looked. She sampled them a few times and then she pressed in close and kissed him with all the longing she had stored inside of her. The kiss took on a life of its own as he worked with her lips’ movements to produce sensations so beautiful she wasn’t sure she’d ever experience something so wonderful again. There was also the crazy feeling that she’d kissed him before. Maybe they’d met in heaven and this was simply meant to be.
She finally pulled back gasping for air. “That was …”
“Incredible,” he finished for her.
She nodded but then tilted her head and said sassily, “Your turn now. No way can you top that.”
He grinned and said, “I’m up to that challenge.”
“Oh, I hope so.”
Joshua slowly, tantalizingly ran his hands up her back and then along her neck. She shivered from the sensation. He framed her face with his hands, running the pad of one thumb across her lips with a feather light touch. Jade was now panting for air, desire rushing through her.
Joshua bent down low and pressed his lips to hers. She felt decidedly lightheaded and could only focus on his lips lighting up her world. Her mouth parted and his warm breath seemed to fill her up. When he gently deepened the kiss, every nerve lit up and her body felt like it was on fire.
The kiss ended and he rested his forehead against hers. “Did I win?”
Jade gave an unsteady laugh, clinging to him. “You definitely won.”
He smiled but said, “Jade. I don’t care about winning the bet, or winning the kissing challenge. I care about winning your heart. Could you …”