Chapter Eleven #2
Candlelight danced across the planes of Burke’s face, highlighting the sharp angles and shadows of his chiseled jawline.
The small divot in the center of his chin was like a miniature valley, drawing her gaze in and holding it captive.
As he moved closer, her breath caught in her throat.
Did the neckline of her sweater expose the rapid beat of her pulse in the hollow of her throat?
She stood pressed against the corner of the L -shaped counter, unable to move.
Burke stopped in front of her, his striking golden-brown eyes darkening as they roamed her face. She clenched her fists, determined to resist this powerful pull sparking between them.
“Jovi.” Even the sound of her name on his lips made her nerve endings light up.
Her fingers itched to tunnel through those glorious waves of his hair, feeling the soft strands between her fingertips. She admired the chiseled curves of his jaw, the strong lines of his face that were both rugged and refined.
Burke gently leaned in, his breath warm against her skin as he braced his arms on either side of her. “I hadn’t planned on—”
She didn’t give him time to say another word. Closing the remaining distance between them, she pressed her palms against his broad chest, closed her eyes, and then savored the perfect collision of their lips meeting.
* * *
He’d never claimed to be an easygoing, tranquil man.
Kissing Jovi made Burke downright agitated.
Impatient. Eager for more. Especially when her palms slid from his chest to the nape of his neck and delicately tunneled in his hair.
The way she leaned into him, the welcoming sound she made when he deepened the kiss, and the heady fragrance of her floral scent enveloping him—yeah, he’d take more of all of it.
He wanted this kiss to never end.
The world around them seemed to fade away as he found solace in Jovi’s soft, pliant lips.
His heart thundered in his chest. He pulled her closer, his palm splayed against her back, as time slowed.
Each delicious second elongated. The weight of his past mistakes and regrets vanished as he surrendered to this newfound connection.
When they parted, both their chests heaving, Burke stared into Jovi’s eyes. He gently brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen across her face. “Thank you for that. As I was saying, I hadn’t planned on kissing you tonight.”
Her trembling fingers touched her mouth. Uncertainty swam in her gorgeous eyes.
A trapdoor in his stomach gave way. Had he crossed the line? Except, she’d kissed him. He took a step back. “I’m deeply sorry if I misunderstood. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
She blinked, her gaze searching his face. Slowly, she lowered her hand to her side, then shook her head. “I kissed you first, and I shouldn’t have. I’m the one who needs to apologize.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about. That kiss was incredible.” Boldly, he tipped her chin up with one finger. “ You are incredible.”
He couldn’t bear the thought of losing this connection before it even had a chance to fully blossom.
“I should go.” Her gaze skittered away, and she scooted past him.
“What? Why?” The vulnerability in her expression and her attempt to distance herself sent panic surging through him. They’d had a moment. No, more than a moment. A connection . Hadn’t she sensed it too?
He forced himself to remain standing near the sink when everything in him wanted and needed to bridge the chasm between them. “Jovi, please. Tell me what’s wrong.”
She stopped beside the vintage refrigerator, faced him and crossed her arms over her stomach. “We can’t do this, Burke.”
Her words knifed at him. “Why not? What’s stopping us?”
Jovi’s eyes flickered with a mixture of emotions—longing, regret and something he couldn’t quite identify. Fear?
“This is going to sound pathetic, but, I mean, less than six months ago, I was engaged to someone else, and you’ve endured horrific loss.
And there’s Darby Jane to consider. Not to mention I still don’t know how long I’ll be here, especially if my family sells the company.
I just… I don’t think this is a good idea. ”
Her mouth turned down in a frown. A gorgeous, kissable mouth that just a few moments ago he’d ardently claimed with his own.
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
Had her family’s comments about them bothered her more than she’d let on?
“I get that you’re worried about dating again.
It’s scary to put ourselves out there. But our past relationships shouldn’t dictate our futures.
” He took a step closer, his voice filled with determination.
“We deserve to explore what we’re feeling for each other, right? ”
She looked torn. “What if it doesn’t work out? How will Darby Jane handle that? And what if we uncover something that makes us realize we’re better off apart?”
A tight knot of frustration formed in his chest. He had never been one to back away from a challenge, but Jovi’s resistance addled him. The intensity of their kiss had been undeniable, and he couldn’t simply ignore the magnetic pull between them.
“I agree, there are risks involved. But sometimes, taking risks is the only way to truly live. And if we never try, won’t we always wonder what-if ?”
Tears welled in Jovi’s eyes. “I just can’t. I don’t want to get hurt again.”
Me either.
He knew all too well the sting of past hurts.
A painful silence settled between them. The passionate connection they had shared only minutes earlier now felt like a distant memory.
“I won’t push you into something you’re not ready for.” Resignation laced his words. “Your apprehension is valid, and I never want to cause you pain.”
“Thank you for saying that,” she said softly, blinking away her unshed tears.
“I don’t want to spend the rest of my life wondering what-if .
But I also can’t ignore the fears that are holding me back.
” She drew a ragged breath. “I appreciate the dinner invitation, but I—I think it would be best if I went home.”
Don’t go.
He understood her hesitations, but it didn’t ease the ache of losing something that felt so right, even if it had only just begun. Didn’t ease the longing to grab her hand, to pull her back into his arms and persuade her that they could find a way forward. “I won’t try to convince you otherwise.”
She offered him a small, sad smile before turning to leave. As she put on her coat and scarf and then reached for the door, he couldn’t bear to let her go without being scary honest.
“Jovi.”
She hesitated, then turned to face him, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I’m grateful for tonight. For that kiss.”
Her gaze softened. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Burke.” She slipped out the door before he could respond.
He closed it behind her and pressed his forehead against the sturdy wood. How had their perfect evening taken such a wrong turn?
As he walked slowly back to his empty kitchen and replayed her words, the weight of her concerns anchored deep within his chest. She was right.
There were obstacles between them, tangled threads of past relationships and family animosity that threatened to unravel any chance they had at happiness together.
But he refused to let their connection be severed so easily.
Her concern for Darby Jane’s well-being was admirable, and he’d never want to do anything to harm her.
Because he’d certainly caused his little girl a lifetime of heartache already.
But he’d meant what he’d said about not letting their pasts define them.
Besides, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Jovi was someone special, someone worth fighting for.
He blew out all the candles, then paced back and forth in his dimly lit living room, pondering the next steps.
Research for his previous novel had taught him that the most interesting facts often resided in old books and dusty documents.
Remnants from generations past. His aunt had always been fully present during his visits.
Never once had he asked her to share anything about their family history, but if there was any chance of uncovering the truth, it lay hidden within these walls. Or within this town.
Somehow he had to find a way to unravel the mystery of their families’ feud.
* * *
She had to forget about that kiss.
The next morning, Jovi found an empty table nestled in the back corner of Alpenglow Espresso, then slowly lowered her blue coffee mug onto the distressed wood surface. An adorable heart shape swam in the foam of her vanilla latte.
She cringed. So not in the mood for love-adjacent details today.
Shrugging out of her jacket, she draped it over the ladder-back chair and sat down.
Danielle, a friend she’d made when they’d been lab partners in tenth-grade biology, stood at the counter, patiently waiting for the barista to finish making her drink.
They’d kept in touch over the years and had been trying to get together ever since Jovi had come back to Evergreen last month.
Thankfully, their schedules synced up for this morning’s coffee date because she needed to overanalyze last night’s kiss with a trusted friend.
She couldn’t possibly tell Isabel or Mom and Dad that she’d kissed Burke Solomon.
Not after the text messages she’d received questioning her decision to hang out with him.
The kiss wasn’t a betrayal. Was it? She’d have to address those texts soon.
Between Isabel’s issues with Mason, and Mom and Dad’s eagerness to follow through with selling the company, she dreaded initiating a tense conversation.
Besides, it had only been one kiss.
One incredible, time-stood-still kiss. A kiss that left her craving more.
Warmth climbed her neck as thoughts of Burke’s lips on hers filled her head.
Stop.
She desperately needed a distraction.