Page 102 of Love, Magic and Misfortune
“First of all, I’m not ‘people.’ Second, you had just complained to me about ‘ambush kisses’ the week before. Why would I do that?”
“Because it’s different with you, obviously. I want to kissyou. I want to do everything with you.”
Violet raised her eyebrow. “Everything?”
Realizing what he’d said, Jasper blinked before shifting his eyes away. “Well… I… I don’t know what I’m doing with anything, so I should probably not—”
“It isn’t about ‘knowing what you’re doing,’ Jas. It’s about discovering things together and learning about each other. Trying new things when we’re ready. The more we practice, the better we’ll get.”
“So…” He grinned, surprising Violet when he stood. He leaned over her with his palms resting on either side of her body so that she had to lift her face to look into his eyes. “The more I kiss you, the better I’ll get?”
“Inevitably, yes…” Violet swallowed, dumbfounded by the playful glint in his steel eyes. The joy and warmth radiating from his skin and seeping into her like osmosis. Her entire body tingled from the thrill of his conviction. His sudden assuredness.
Who is this person?
“I really,reallywant to kiss you, Vi. Frequently.”
“Regularly?”
“Habitually. Can I? Is that okay?” He tilted his head as he leaned into her. A quick study: clever man that he was. When their noses brushed so softly, Violet closed her eyes, feeling as if she might lose her breath and float away.
“Yes,” she sighed. He parted his lips and pressed into her. Practicing to his heart’s content.
41
Later On
Traditionally, March was always the most difficult month for Violet. Nature was beginning to thaw and shed its winter coat, but not enough to produce anything interesting or substantial. The village was cold and gray and wet, stuck within a kind of purgatory—lacking the magic and wonder of winter and without the exuberance and genesis of spring.
Thankfully, though, she had plenty to keep her mind occupied.
The door to Laurent House swung open as she moved down the cobblestone path. Jasper stood in the door, beaming. “Did you call the woman from the museum back? What did she say?”
“One thing at a time, please.” Violet scrunched her nose, walking up onto the small porch. Jasper stepped aside to allow her to cross the threshold, but he didn’t let her pass. He shifted into her, threading his long fingers into her hair and cradling the back of her head to pull her in close.
“Hi,” he whispered, his breath warm against her mouth. Violet didn’t even bother answering and instead closed her eyes and parted her lips. He kissed her like he always did now: insatiable and luscious. Slow and absorbed—like someone taking a bite out of a new confectionary and trying to discern every ingredient and spice gracing their tongue. Brown sugar and cinnamon, or ground ginger and nutmeg with a hint of caramel. Jasper kissed her, discerning her every flavor and sliding his tongue inside to learn and know every element of her.
This tongue business would be Violet’s downfall. After the first time they’d done it, there had been no turning back. Every kiss from Jasper was all-consuming. Violet could only breathe through it and keep herself calm.
After just one month, he was kissing her with the expertise of someone who had been doing it their entire life. Kissingher, in particular. Uniquely. He paid such close attention to her every response, knowing exactly how much pressure to apply, how to shift his head or when to pull back and tease her… When he should dive in and give her everything he had.
Still holding her captive, Jasper lifted from the kiss, staring and grinning. “You taste like coffee and raspberries. Did you just leave Simone’s?”
“You are not allowed to track my whereabouts based on the way I taste.”
“Is that weird?”
“A little, yeah.”
They laughed. He reached down and grabbed her hand, pushing the door closed with his free one before pulling her toward the kitchen. “I’m part rat so tastes and smells are important. Tell me what happened.”
“Yes, I called the museum back, and they want me to come in for a meeting. They asked me to bring a portfolio of my art. Jas, I have to make a portfolio of my art.”
“They want you to have a showing, I just know it. It’s happening. And René told me that Simone’s feature in that big foodie magazine has been pushed up a month because they’re so excited. You two are incredible. Unstoppable. When is the meeting?”
The kitchen was warm and filled with even more smells for her senses to delight in. Something creamy and earthy with rosemary. Oregano? “In two weeks. I’m still shocked by all of it—like I can’t process it yet. The requests for prints just keep flooding in, and Simone’s bakery is getting so crowded lately. She’s needed to hire two staff members already… What did you make?”
“Potato soup. Do you feel comfortable establishing your portfolio within two weeks?”
