Page 2 of A Kiss to Remember
“Um...”
Say something.
You’ve got your kiss and rocked my proverbial world, now move along unless you’d like to check out a book. Can I suggestCraveby Tracy Wolff?
Because of course she’d noticed his preference for YA paranormal fiction. Jesus be a fence, one lip-lock with Declan Howard had rendered her befuddled. She—logical, reasonable, sometimes too plainspoken for her own good Remi—didn’t dobefuddled.
Until now.
“Thank you for that,” Declan murmured. His eyes dipped to her mouth, and her breath caught in her throat.
If he tried to kiss her again, she would have to...to...stop him. Yes, yes. That’s what she was thinking. Stop him.
Didn’t matter that heat, smoky and thick, flickered inside her. She pressed her fingertips into the top of the desk, the solidity of the wood grounding her. And if she touched it, she wouldn’t lift her hand to her tingling mouth.
“You’re welcome. I—” She hadn’t been sure what she’d been about to say, but the rest of it evaporated as Tara Merrick appeared behind Declan.
Remi knew the beautiful blonde who worked at The Bath Barn, the shop Tara’s mother owned that sold bath products, lotions, perfumes and candles. This was Rose Bend, so of course everyone knew everyone. But Remi had never given the other woman cause to glare at her as she was doing now.
“Declan, I’ve been looking for you.” Tara wrapped a proprietary hand around Declan’s forearm, the sugary sweet tone belying the dark fire in her eyes.
“There was no need,” Declan said, gently but firmly extricating himself from her grasp.
His purple gaze returned to Remi and, though she resented herself for it, electricity crackled over her skin. She resented it because the pleasure that had fizzed inside her chest like a shaken soda can overDeclan Howardkissingherhad fallen flat.
She might’ve sucked at calculus in college, but she didn’t need to know infinitesimals to add one plus one: Declan had only kissed her for Tara’s benefit. To make her jealous? To play hard to get? Remi didn’t know. What she knew for certain?
It hadn’t been because he so desperately needed to get his mouth on her.
It hadn’t been because he wantedher, Remi Donovan.
And damn if that didn’t just slice through her like a fierce winter wind?
“Remi, if you have a moment, I’d—”
She shook her head, cutting off Declan, not allowing her poor heart to flutter over him knowing her name. “I’m sorry but I don’t. I really need to get back to work. Do either of you need to check out or return books?”
Her voice didn’t waver, and thank God for the smallest of favors. Declan studied her for a long, tense moment. She forced herself to meet his gaze and not back down.
For years, she’d fought the good fight—learning to love herself and to deep-six her people-pleasing tendencies. Right now, she waged an epic inner war against the whisper-soft voice pleading with her to justListen to what he has to say.
Gifting him with an opportunity to apologize for using her? No thanks. She’d had her share of Pride Smackdown XII. The pay-per-view event would air next week.
“No, all good here. Thank you, again.” With a nod, he pivoted on his heel and strode toward the exit.
With one last narrow-eyed stare, Tara hurried after him.
Only after the door closed behind both of them, did Remi heave a sigh.
And as a hushed smattering of whispers broke out behind her, she closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Weirdest. Friday. Ever.
CHAPTER TWO
ITWASOFFICIAL.
Declan had hit rock bottom.
