Page 55 of A Small Town Spring

It’s the most perfect first kiss I’ve ever had.The most important one, too.Because now that I know the man who’s become the most important thing in my life wants to kiss me, too, I don’t plan on ever letting him go.

Twenty-Seven

Toby

What’s possiblythe most important night of my professional life suddenly has the potential to be the most important night of my personal life, too.

Because Kingston is holding me like he needs me to keep him upright.Because Kingston says he wants me.Because Kingston’s tongue is touching mine and he smells like honey and he tastes expensive.His flavor is now my favorite thing to keep in my mouth and saliva pools there just imagining getting to taste other parts of him.

Which will be happening very soon, if I have anything to say about it.

I tear away from the kiss reluctantly.“We should—I mean, I want to, but?—”

Kingston opens his eyes, but they’re heavy-lidded and make me think of sex.“Of course, you’ve got to finish up, take your accolades, etc., etc.”

“It won’t take long,” I promise.

“But their dinner.”

“I’ll say I can’t come.That way, they can talk about me behind my back, which they probably want to do, anyway.”

Kingston kisses me again, his lips as soft and expert against mine as I imagined.I melt into him, wanting to say to hell with the people on the other side of the door.But I can’t.And Kingston and I have time.

I pepper his lips with two—three—more kisses.“Wait for me to finish up?We can go back to your place together.”

He adjusts his trousers and I nearly sink to my knees right then and there, thinking about what’s underneath them.

“Wait.Yes.I’ll wait.”His gaze drops to my crotch and then comes back up.“You might want to?—”

I glance down and see the result of our mini make-out session distending my black jeans.“Oh.Yes.Well.Thanks.”I shift things around as best as I can, while Kingston watches avidly.His gaze on me doesn’t exactly make me less excited.“Stop looking at me.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s not helping,” I hiss.

“Really?”He sounds utterly delighted.

“The second we get home you can look all you want,” I say, my voice as darkly threatening as I can make it, but he just smiles wickedly, his gaze dropping to my feet, then traveling slowly up my entire body at a leisurely pace.

“I can’t wait,” he says, his velvety low voice also not helping the stiffy in my trousers.

“Me either,” I say with feeling.“Give me five minutes.”

“Take your time,” he says magnanimously.“Really.There’s no rush.I’ve waited… I never thought—” He’s got that look again, the one I now know means he’s overwhelmed.I’m still agog that I’m the one who’s able to overwhelm the unflappable Kingston James.

“I know.”I didn’t expect this to happen tonight.Maybe ever.But it is, and I have to at least attempt to keep my head on straight.

We give each other once-overs and determine we’re presentable enough to leave the storage room.Galia sees us emerge into the gallery and pounces on me.“Everyone left for the restaurant.Fernanda says you have to go make nice.”She gathers our coats from where we left them in the entryway.

“No, I don’t think I can?—”

“He’ll be there,” Kingston says.

“You’re coming, too, aren’t you?”I ask him.

“No, I’m going home.You need to focus and be the charming artist they want,” he says.“I’ll wait up for you.”

“You think I’ll be able to focus knowing that?”I glance at Galia, who pretends to study her phone and lower my voice.“I’m going to be thinking about you every second.”

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