Page 65 of Billion Dollar Vow

“Noted, thanks.”

We lock eyes, and the room feels hotter. His blue gaze burns brighter, neither of us looking away.

“I better finish getting ready,” I breathe out, suddenly aware that the class will arrive soon. I stand, but just as I turn, his fingers curl around my wrist, pulling me back gently so I land in his lap, my heart racing immediately.

Our eyes lock. His face is inches from mine, his breath warm on my lips. I’m aware of how little time we have before people arrive, but right now, I don’t care.

“Fuck, Karley,” he mutters, as if he’s in pain.

“What?” I whisper.

He grabs my chin and brings his lips to mine, capturing my gasp into his mouth. The first touch sends electricity through me. When his tongue meets mine, tasting of mint, I melt against him.

I slide my hands into his hair and pull him closer. His hands move to my hips. Things are escalating, and there’s no way to stop myself. I've wanted him for so long, and it’s even better than any dream I’ve had. We’re crossing a line we can’t uncross, and it complicates our arrangement in ways I’m not ready to think about. His mouth controls the pace, which is slow yet strong. I follow it easily.

The chatter of the group outside jerks me out of his lap and into reality.What was I thinking?I almost trip over his leg, trying to straighten myself. I knock a few paintbrushes on the floor, and when I lean down to grab them, my hands fumble picking them up and a brush grazes my cheek.

He chuckles as he rises from the chair. Breathless, I shoot him a look that saysshut up.

Flustered, I move to the door and open it, so he can leave and the group can come in. He follows, and I look at the door frame, hoping to avoid his eyes. Too scared to see regret in them. My breath hitches when he steps closer, his hand touching my face, bringing my eyes to his. What I see staring back makes my knees buckle. A longing fire. One that matches my own.

I realize he kissed me. He initiated it. What does that mean, and where does that leave us?

“Come here,” he says, his voice pulling me out of my thoughts and back to the present.

My eyebrows pinch as I step closer to him.

“You have paint here.” His hand grabs the back of my head as his thumb rubs along my cheek. I swallow roughly, his smell cocooning me and making me melt with its familiarity.

My lips are parted, but no words leave them.

He leans forward, capturing my lips in an all too brief kiss, and then winks at me before leaving with his painting.

I watch the second group of the night head out one by one, their laughter lingering in the distance, and with a sigh, I grab a rag and start wiping down the table. But my mind is miles away, replaying tonight’s kiss with Oliver. I can’t hold it in any longer; I need to talk to someone. Pulling out my phone, I dial Evelyn’s number.

She picks up after the first ring. “Hey? I’m at work. What’s up?”

My palm flies to my forehead. “I’m sorry, I can let you go,” I say, though I can hear the desperation in my voice.

“No, it’s okay,” she says quickly. “I’ve got five.”

I take a deep breath, barely able to contain my excitement. “Oliver kissed me.”

There’s a split-second pause. Then she lets out a short laugh. “Karley! I said quick, but don’t skip details. How did this happen?”

I laugh, sinking into the chair Oliver was in just a few hours ago. My hand brushes over the table where his fingers had rested, and a warm thrill runs up my spine. “He asked me to give him a painting lesson. He needs to show the gallery owner he doesn’t just pretend to like art.”

Evelyn chuckles. “I’m a little lost, but keep going. I want to get to the good bit.”

“Well…” I say, my cheeks growing warm, “we were sitting next to each other while he painted, and then…I got up to walk away. That’s when he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into his lap.”

“Oooh,” she whispers. “And then you kissed him?”

“No, that’s the thing,” I whisper, as if speaking it out loud would somehow lessen the magic. “He kissed me.”

“That’s amazing, Karley. I’m so happy for you.”

“Relax,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady, but the grin spreading on my face betrays me. “It was just a kiss.”