Page 7 of Igniting Sparks

I glance back at the table; aware my aunt is watching the two of us with a great deal of interest.

What’s the worst that can happen, right?

I mean, outside of total mortification and never being able to look at Braden again.

Oh, and my aunt cackling with glee as she hands the studio keys to my cousin.

Braden ducks his head, his mouth near my ear. “Mina, what do you need?”

I pull in a fortifying breath and lift my chin, our lips mere inches apart. “Please don’t be mad at me.”

I don’t give him a chance to argue or ask for clarification.

Instead, I bury my fingers in his dark hair, manage a shaky smile, and then… I kiss him.

A jolt of adrenaline shoots through me as I press my mouth to his, daring to flick my tongue along the seam of his lips.

Braden’s breath catches as he stands frozen. He doesn’t touch me. Doesn’t move. And for one terrifying second, I fear he’s going to push me away.

But I refuse to break the kiss, desperate for any sign that I haven’t lost my mind completely.

Then it happens.

His hands settle on my waist as his mouth relaxes against mine. And then he takes over.

He cages me between the coffee bar and his broad chest, his hands drifting up to cup my jaw. I taste his hunger as he deepens the kiss and feel the tremble in his body as he presses me against the counter.

His tongue meets mine—slow and searching—coaxing a response I give him willingly.

With every passing second, I fall deeper into the moment.

The blood pounds in my ears as the din of the bookstore fades away, leaving nothing but the feel of his mouth against mine.

His mouth grows more demanding, more desperate, his beard scratching my skin as heat sparks through my veins, making my thighs clench in reflex.

A low moan escapes my lips as his hips press into mine, bold and sure.

He tastes better than any fantasy I’ve dared to have about this moment.

He’s perfect.

“Uh… Braden? Braden? Seriously, could you stop for a minute?” Zane’s voice cuts through the moment, and we tear apart.

My fingers fly to my kiss-swollen lips, acutely aware we just crossed a line.

Correction,Idid, and now that Braden has a second to consider what just happened, he’s likely going to race out of here, never to return.

Congratulations, Mina. You just made the dumbest move of your life—with your dream guy.

Although it was also the hottest, most intense moment, too. Hands down.

Here’s hoping he doesn’t hate me forever.

Braden doesn’t move right away. One of his hands still rests on my waist, warm and heavy, like his body hasn’t gotten the message yet.

Then he blinks, dazed, and slowly steps back, biting his lip as he looks at Zane. “Wha—what?”

Zane’s eyes volley between us, a smile quirking his lips. “I’m heading back. I’ll see you two later.”