Page 17 of Forever Fascinating

“We aren’t talking, remember?” he said quietly, a faint smirk touching his lips playfully. “Besides, the imaginary song ended and… oh wait? Do I hear another one starting up?”

“It did?”

Her heart did a somersault, as he smiled indulgently, realizing he was still playing along with her. They were dancing absently in the silence, only the breeze and birds serenading them in this idyllic moment she would never, ever forget.

“It’s one of my favorite songs heard only in my lonely imagination…” he whispered, watching her. “I adore a slow dance, don’t you?”

Matthew placed her hand he’d been holding onto his shoulder, before resting his hand on her hip, opposite of the other one. They stood together, holding each other, and slowly drifting in small circles, just looking at each other, completely lost in whatever forbidden attraction was blossoming between them.

After several more minutes, Matthew finally stepped back and released her, almost apologetically, but still holding her hand.

“We should probably get back inside before either of us is missed.”

“I know.”

“I didn’t step on your toes,” he reminded her, his voice quiet.

“No, you didn’t,” she replied, realizing he was in a way asking for her information that she’d offered him. “My cell phone is in my purse, but I can write it on a napkin.”

“Then the napkin could become evidence in a murder trial,” he teased, smiling, as he pointed at the building, causing Jana to laugh as she realized she was falling under this captivating man’s spell.

“True,” she smiled. “Or, if all the email addresses are structured the same – I could take a chance and see if I can figure out yours, Mr. Barlow.”

“Beautiful and brilliant,” he uttered softly, pulling her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles, like a gentleman of long ago. “A very heady combination, to be sure.”

“… And this never happened,” she prompted secretively.

“Never happened,” he agreed softly. “Maybe we can get an innocent cup of punch in a little while at the reception?”

“We should meet and say hello for the very first time, shouldn’t we?”

“We do have something in common, don’t we?”

“We certainly do,” she smiled, completely enchanted at the flirting that came so easily between them. “It would be an absolute shame if… say… say we were tonevermeet for lunch tomorrow - around noon?”

“That would be a tragedy, for sure,” he smiled, looking amused and a little surprised at the forbidden invitation.

“Tomorrow then,” she whispered, repeating it, almost in disbelief.

“Tomorrow,” he acknowledged, before angling his head. “You go back inside first, and I’ll be in shortly.”

“Another cigarette?”

“Does it bother you?” he asked openly.

“No,” she replied honestly… and hesitated. “I’ve never dated a man who smoked before. I was just curious how long I should wait before I head towards the punch table so I can say hello again.”

“Just a few minutes,” he smiled. “I’m heading in right after you – via another door.”

Jana nodded and turned away, only to feel him catch her hand. Stunned, she looked back at him and saw him standing there, waiting. She felt his thumb brush against the back of her hand, almost as if he was afraid to let her go.

She didn’t speak.

“Call me Vapor inside,” he instructed quietly. “So, no one gets suspicious. No one knows me as Matthew – no one except you.”

She felt something warm turn over in her heart.

“Then I guess I’m special,” she teased in a hushed breath, smiling, and saw the corner of his lips turn upwards.

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