Page 20 of You're The One
My mind drifts in a direction I definitely donotapprove of, so I force myself back to the present—back to the woman in front of me.
“Ireallywant to kiss you,” she whispers, her hand gliding from my thigh to my chest, apparently not picking up on any of my hesitation.
I expected this. There are always a few first kisses on day one. I had my money on Victoria, but she’s playing a game I don’t fully understand yet. And she’s not the only one. I’ve had one-on-one time with nearly everyone tonight and all I feel is confused.
Bodhi’s great at logistics, but right now, I feel like I need something more. A relationship guide, maybe?
I have to figure out who’s actually here for the right reasons, who I can trust, and who’s just chasing their fifteen minutes of fame.
Whatever her name is? Yeah… I’m starting to think she falls into that last category. Turns out Mia’s not the only onenotlooking for love.
I could use some help with this.
A guide. A mentor. Someone to point me in the right direction.
A matchmaker?
That’s it.
My gaze drifts across the patio and lands on Bodhi, who’s nodding encouragingly. Presumably about kissing this girl, not about my inner thoughts.
A kiss makes sense. But with twenty-three other women in the mix—and my best friend’s little sister lurking in the back of my mind—it just doesn’t feel right.
Still, maybe this is a rip-the-bandage-off moment?
I lean in slightly, placing a hand on her knee, my thumb brushing over her smooth skin in slow, lazy strokes.
Trying to feel something.Anything.
Maybe that’s my problem. Maybe I’ve put too much pressure on myself.
Before I can decide, she makes the move. Her lips press to mine, firm and eager.
If I’d been hoping it might spark something, I would’ve been let down. I pull back, meeting her gaze.
“Wow,” she breathes.
Wow is right. But I have a feeling we’renotusing it the same way.
And that seals it—I need help.
“I can’t wait to see where this connection leads us,” she adds, her voice soft.
I already know where it’s headed. A limo ride. Forced goodbyes. A soundbite about “putting herself out there.”
And then she’ll be gone.
But I refuse to let a couple of bad apples ruin this for me. My oneishere. I know it.
And I think I’ve come up with the perfect solution to help me find her, which is why I’m eager to wrap this first night up and put my plan into motion.
She’s going to be thrilledwith her new assignment. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when I make the offer.
Ha, two can play this game, la mia fiamma.
EIGHT
Aren’t mansionsthis big supposed to have, like, twenty bathrooms? How have I been wandering around the first floor for ten minutes and still not found one? Okay, fine—Ididstop in the kitchen to top off my champagne and maybe got a little distracted checking out what kind of snacks they’ve stocked for us.
