Kismet: A Serendipity Novella Read Online Free Page B

directly into his eyes. “We have a lot to catch up on.”
    He tipped his head and her stomach did a
nervous roll as his lips came closer to hers. A yearning the likes
of which she’d never felt before rose up to greet him. But instead
of touching his mouth to hers, he placed a kiss on her cheek, his
touch too short to make any promises and yet too long to mean
nothing.
    He stared at her for a long while afterward,
as if studying her.
    She curled her hands into fists at her
sides, her heart pounding, her body responding in ways she’d long
forgotten. Her breasts grew full, her nipples peaked, and dampness
pooled between her thighs.
    “See you later,” he said in a deep voice,
gruffer than before.
    “Bye,” she whispered, unable to form a
coherent thought. And though he hadn’t really kissed her or touched
her at all, heat licked at her from the inside out.
    Oh boy, was she in trouble.
    Lissa spent the rest of the afternoon
pulling herself together. She tried on the variety of dresses
Collette had sent over, surprised to find each one fit. It was up
to her to decide which to wear and which to return. The answer came
down to one question.
    How sexy did she want to be?
    She luxuriated in a scented bath and took an
amazing amount of time getting herself ready. The last time she’d
primped so much on her appearance had been back in high school.
Sadly, that had been the last time she’d truly cared about
impressing someone, and she had to admit it felt too good to make
the attempt now.
    Though she knew she ought to eat and had
ordered up something light, she merely picked at the salad and
fruit, too nervous for a full meal. Still, at least she had
something in her stomach so that she could nurse a drink and not
feel tipsy. Something told her she’d need to be in full control of
her faculties this evening when dealing with Trevor. Not to
mention, she wouldn’t be taking notes on the people she met and on
Trevor’s interactions, so she’d need to rely on memory when she
wrote up her interview notes later.
    Finally, gown and shoes chosen, she gathered
her evening bag—another smart choice by Collette—and headed
downstairs to hail a cab. Except when she reached the lobby, she
found Trevor waiting for her.
    Standing against a pillar, clad in a
perfectly fitted tuxedo, the man exuded confidence and sex appeal.
She was so surprised to see him, so affected by his masculinity,
that she nearly tripped in her high heels as she made her way over
to him.
    “I thought I said I’d meet you there,” she
said.
    “And I told you you’d see me. I just didn’t
say where.” His gaze raked over her, hot and heated, devouring her
with its intensity. “You look gorgeous.”
    “Thank you. Collette chose well.” She
managed to speak though her mouth was bone dry.
    “It’s not the clothes, Lissa. It’s you,” he
said gruffly. “Do you know how many times I wished I could afford
to buy you nice things?”
    He was talking about ten years ago.
    She smiled. “I never wanted them,” she
murmured. She’d only wanted him. She shook her head, shaking off
the memories they couldn’t change.
    “Ready to go?” he asked, placing a strong
hand against her bare back. “The limo is waiting.”
    Surprised, she opened her mouth, then closed
it again. “Limo?” The word sounded like a squeak and he
grinned.
    “Your article is supposed to document who I
am and how I live, correct?” She nodded. “Don’t worry. It’s not a
full limo. It’s a town car with a driver.” He chuckled, probably at
her shocked expression.
    “Lead the way,” she said, raising her chin
in a futile attempt at nonchalance.
    The man was riding roughshod over every one
of her good intentions and damned if she wasn’t enjoying having
someone else take control for a change.
    Not that she’d give him the satisfaction of
telling him that. All she had to do now was get through the rest of
the night without succumbing to that charm he seemed so determined
to