The woodsy smell of his cologne. The feel of his muscles as my hands drift around his waist under his thick leather jacket. His hands holding my face.

Today, he doesn’t push. Instead, after a few moments, he pulls back a little.

My heart races when I look into Lukas’ glazed deep blue eyes. There’s a hesitation and conflict on his face, but it vanishes when I whisper, “I didn’t think you’d agree so easily.”

“You asked me to act upon my feelings.” His lips twitch, and I notice for the first time that a tiny cleft forms on his chin when he smiles.

“And you felt like kissing me?” I glance up at him.

“I feel like doing a lot of things, Autumn. But a kiss is a good start.”

His words have sweat dripping down my back on this wintery morning. Suddenly, the temperature in my office soars, and I know it isn’t because of the fire burning in the fireplace.

I lock my hands around his neck and pull him down, closer to me. Lukas follows my lead, and I place a tender kiss on that cleft.

A hint of surprise flares in his eyes, but soon my lips slide from his jaw to his cheek. Before I can go farther, there’s a knock on the door.

We both break apart in a rush. I glance at the door before looking at Lukas, who’s adjusting his jeans.

His mouth curls into a small grin, and goosebumps litter my skin. “Later,” he whispers.

“I hope you haven’t finished all the muffins.” Chiara strolls inside.

After a second of disappointment, I’m thankful that it’s her and not my parents or Mr. Big.

“Don’t worry, the box is still unopened,” Lukas replies.

Chiara looks between the box and Lukas. “I wonder what could be more tempting than Valentine’s muffins.”

Lukas chuckles. I’ve seen him smile a lot in the past days, but right now, the twitch of his lips speaks volumes. There’s a promise of sweet things in that twitch. “Not everyone’s weaknesses are muffins, Chiara.”

My cheeks enflame, and I hold that tidbit dear in my heart that maybe, probably, I am his weakness.

“See you later.”

Once he’s out the door, Chiara squeaks. “What the heck happened to him? He turned from a grump to a prince in a few minutes.” Her dancing gaze narrows on me. “It for sure wasn’t the muffins. What were you guys doing before I walked in, Auttie?”

My cheeks burn like hot coal as I reply, “We were talking.”

“About?” She looks down for a second to open the muffin box, and then her playful gaze is back on me.

My heart is bursting with joy right now, and there’s no point in hiding it from my best friend. “What would have happened if we hadn’t stopped last night.”