Page 24 of Purrfectly Kissed

“That’s really interesting and all, but did he, you know?”

Kylie waggled her eyebrows. The blonde knew all about Jessica’s obsession with the perfect kiss. They’d shared many a bottle of tequila with Jess describing her ideal mate in detail. Silly really, but a girl had to dream.

“No. That’s why I am so frustrated. He wanted to kiss me. I mean, I think he did. I could scent his desire, but he pulled back last minute.”

“Okay, hold up. You need to go over every move he made from the time you sat down to eat.”

Jessica sighed. She supposed Kylie was right. So, taking a huge gulp of her delicious classic marg in the stemless glass with black salt clinging to the rim, Jessica recanted her entire date.

“What do you feel like having?” Brayden asked.

“Want to share one of those big boats?”

She’d meant it innocently enough. They were Shifters, and they could eat, but the second she found the item on the menu, Jessica’s cheeks had heated furiously.

“You mean a ‘love boat’?”

“Um, yeah, I guess. Sorry. If you don’t want to-”

“No, it sounds good,” he insisted and placed their order.

“You ordered the LOVE BOAT!”

Kylie snickered, interrupting the story by belting out the old television show tune. Off key of course.

“That was a Freudian slip if I ever head one,” the Southern Cat added unhelpfully.

“Shyaddap,” Jessica retorted and playfully pushed her aside.

“Look, I forgot what it was called. Anyway, we got it and it was delicious. By the time we’d eaten everything, including some green tea ice cream for dessert, we’d been there over an hour.”

“Okay, then what happened?”

“Well…” Jessica began, falling back into her story.

Brayden held Jessica’s hand and walked her to the car.

“I really enjoyed going out with you, Jessica.”

“Thank you. I had a nice time, too.”

“Maybe we can do this again sometime?”

“I’d like that.”

Her stomach clenched as she smiled at him and waited. This was it. The moment she’d been dreaming about since she was a cub. Her purrfect kiss was imminent.

Brayden leaned in closer. So close, their breath mingled. Jessica tipped her head back, eyes half-closed as she watched the near descent of his lips.

“Seat belt,” he said, clearing his throat.

He’d spoken in a hushed tone, and it took a moment for her to understand the words. The sudden loud click of the buckle connecting separated them with a jolt, and she could have died from embarrassment.

Jessica smiled tightly, and Brayden moved to the driver’s side.

“That was it? That was the near kiss?”

“Yeah. The rest of the trip we talked about nothing, really. Christmas, sports, music. Nothing big.”

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