As I had told Liv, and Jake had overheard, my love life had never quite lived up to my hopes. I had read romance books, like Jake’s love stories, wondering why I always felt like something was missing when I was with a man. I didn’t want to get carried away thinking that Jake might finally be different, but kissing him was certainly a revelation compared to previous kisses in my life. My lips still tingled from his touch and my body was still warm from being pressed against his. My mind was alive with thoughts of what might happen next.

‘I wish I knew what you were thinking,’ Jake suddenly said. He was looking across at me. ‘You are usually so chatty, so easy to read, so open with me but that look on your face right now… I want to decipher it so badly.’

My skin flushed at the thought of him knowing how I was feeling. ‘I never know what you’re thinking, though…’ I replied with a raised eyebrow. I felt like I had misunderstood Jake from the first moment we met.

‘You have to know that all I’m thinking is, “that was an incredible kiss and I can’t wait for more”.’

I couldn’t stop a smile from spreading across my face.

‘And how gorgeous you look right now,’ Jake added. He squeezed my hand wrapped in his.

‘Thank you,’ I said, flustered by the way he was looking at me. I was happy that he wanted more kisses just like I did. But it felt crazy when I was only now starting to get to know the real him. And I worried that he would never show me that man completely.

‘You look concerned,’ Jake suddenly said, studying my expression. ‘Are you worried about Hayley?’

‘Yes, and this,’ I said, gesturing to our hands. ‘Liv reminding us that you’re basically my client while we’re out here, and Davis Mulberry seemed to sense something…’

‘And tried warning you off me?’ Jake asked astutely.

‘He did,’ I admitted.

‘You told me that we should ignore him,’ Jake pointed out. ‘He’s trying to push our buttons. He enjoys winding people up. He brings out the worst in me, I can admit that. Especially when I saw him trying to flirt with you during the panel, and asking you out.’

I glanced across at me. ‘You didn’t like that?’

‘Definitely not,’ he replied quickly. ‘And not just because I wanted to be doing that myself, but he really isn’t someone you want to get involved with.’