My jaw dropped. What the hell did it matter if Adrian Petrov thought I was dating Ronan? Whatever Tom’s business plans with the tycoon might have been, if he intended to use me to tempt more money or assistance out of Petrov, I wasn’t interested. Perhaps I hadn’t been clear enough on that front.

Willow: I don’t care if Mr. Petrov thinks I’m with Ronan or anyone else.

I powered off the phone, some of the tension easing from my shoulders as I cut off Tom’s only means of contacting me. It was childish, and I knew I’d have to deal with him later, but not tonight.

“Is everything okay?” Ronan asked.

“Better now.”

“Good.”

We sat in silence, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. For my part, I didn’t know what to say, and he seemed happy to exist in the quiet. That shouldn’t have surprised me. The man I remembered from my youth hadn’t been the chatty type. He’d been thoughtful. A trait that was far more attractive than it sounded.

Had he felt our connection tonight?

At one point, I’d wanted to kiss him. I still did. Being in his arms was everything I’d imagined as a girl and more. My insides twisted. He was supposed to be the enemy, but if that were true then he wouldn’t have come to my rescue tonight or taken the time to remember Dad fondly with me. The truth was far from straightforward. But what was clear was that I had a chance with the man of my teenage dreams, and if I let it pass, I’d regret it.

“We’re here.”

I glanced up, surprised. I hadn’t realized we’d been traveling for so long. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

I opened the door and got out. He did too. We paused by the car, and I realized this was my opportunity. I may not get another. Tentatively, I rose onto my toes and brushed my lips over his. The kiss was soft and fleeting. I heard a quick intake of breath and pulled back, my mind already reeling. Perhaps I’d overstepped.

But then his palm curved around my cheek, and he drew me to him, capturing my lips. I ran my hands over the hardness of his body and the breadth of his shoulders. He tasted faintly of mint. The tip of his tongue tickled the seam of my mouth, and I opened, sighing as he deepened the kiss. Our tongues stroked, and our breaths came in gasps. He pivoted and flattened me against the side of the car, bracketing my face with his forearms.

“You are so lovely,” he murmured, nuzzling the juncture of my neck and shoulder. If not for the press of his body, my knees would have given out. “Inside and out.” I tilted my head to give him better access, and his lips feathered along the side of my neck. “You need to go into your apartment before I get carried away.”

“Do I have to?” I whispered. “Carried away doesn’t sound so bad.”