"Why did you kiss me?" she blurted.
I moved closer because I couldn't stop.
“I've been thinking about you the whole day. The whole night too. When we spoke on the phone today, I just knew I had to see you."
She swallowed hard. "Jake, my life is in shambles."
I blinked. This wasn't where I thought this conversation was leading.
"Go on."
She looked at me.
"I'm not... I can't... I can't kiss you. Well, if we’re talking... you can't kiss me."
I smiled, tilting slightly into her. I was desperate for another whiff of her perfume.
"Who's trying to boss who now?" I asked.
She laughed. "I don't think anyone can boss you into anything."
Pulling back, I realized her expression was serious. "Message received, Natalie. I won’t kiss you again."
Her breath caught. She bit her lower lip and balled her hand into a fist as if it was all she could do to not reach out and tug at my shirt again. She was saying one thing, but her body clearly wanted something different. She wanted me. But I wasn't going to insist, at least not tonight. This had taken both of us by surprise.
"I think I should go home."
"I’ll walk you," I offered.
She laughed. Pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, she stood up.
"I won't say no to that. Your gentleman skills are out of this world, as are your kissing skills."
I felt the corners of my mouth turn up into a smile. It was impossible to be around this woman and not smile. "So, kissing is out of question, but talking about it isn’t?"
She sighed. "Jake, this is all very confusing to me."
"And not talking will help?" I asked.
She nodded.
"Okay, we'll walk in silence."
She elbowed me lightly. "Not silence. That's awkward. Or at least I've always been very awkward with silences."
"I haven't."
She rolled her eyes, chuckling. "What a surprise."
"By the way, you never did ask me things about my grandmother," I said as we walked toward her street.
"You didn't seem very inclined to give a lot of opinions on the location. But maybe you’re chattier about Jeannie. What kind of food does she like?"
I frowned. "Now that you mention it, she seems more preoccupied with cooking everyone else's favorite, which is usually some sort of meat-based meal. But she likes fish, especially shrimp."
“And is she the dancing type?"
"Definitely. You do know she used to work in theater, right?"