Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
“Thank you, Arch,” she said softly. It was the sincerest thanks she had ever given. “Thank you for making me see my art in a totally different way than I ever have before.”
“I think I’m the one who owes you thanks.”
Now it was her turn to look confused. “For what?”
“For opening up to me. It means the world to me, Tessa. Knowing that you trust me enough to tell me about your past. And also that you’ve taken my words to heart. You are an artist, even if no one ever sees your work but you.”
Just like that, time seemed to stop. It was just the two of them on that bench, the pier’s fairy lights twinkling, the last of the light disappearing into an inky blue.
He let go of her hands, then cupped her face, gently stroking her cheeks. Her heart beat double time as she let her eyes flutter closed.
But he didn’t make a move to kiss her, even though she could feel his breath on her lips. And that was when she realized he was waiting for her to make the first move. And it only made her want him more to know he cared enough to not just assume she’d be dying for his kiss.
She leaned in just the slightest bit and touched her lips to his. It was an invitation from her to him and one that promised so much pleasure. His soft, full lips on hers, the taste of him, their tongues finding each other, almost overwhelmed her. They both moved gently at first, then passion overtook both of them, and yet again, she was the one making the decision to grab the back of his head, to thread her fingers through his thick hair, to pull him closer. He wrapped his arms around her, and she let herself melt into him.
It was the softest, most gentle, most tender kiss she’d ever had. And somehow, it was also the most passionate, most urgent kiss she’d experienced.
She didn’t want it to end.
She wanted to stay this close to Arch forever.
Chapter Twenty
Later, when they got back to Carmel, he suggested a moonlit stroll on the beach, as though he didn’t want this perfect day to end. She didn’t either, but she also knew he’d spent more than enough time on his feet for the day. As she walked into his house, the whole day seemed like a dream.
But it was real.
Her lips still felt pleasantly bruised from the intensity and urgency of their kisses. They had just kept kissing and kissing and kissing, wanting more and more.
Her head—and body—were swirling with sexy thoughts mixed with deep emotions. Had Arch encouraged her deepest and most secret desires to paint and then also kissed her senseless? Kissed her with an intensity she had never dared to let herself dream of?
Once they were inside, she said, “Why don’t we get you back to your chair and elevate your leg for a while? You’ve had a long day.”
“I’ve had the best day, Tessa. I swear there’s no better medicine than you. I honestly don’t feel any pain in my leg at all.”
Though she was charmed and extremely flattered by his words, she had to be firm. “Still, I know it’s a struggle walking in that new boot.”
Arch shrugged. “I’m just happy to have the cast off. Plus, I need to get all the practice I can walking with this thing before I have to climb the stairs unaided at next week’s awards ceremony.”
She nodded, remembering how thrilled Arch had been to receive the invitation to present an award at the Moonrise Independent Film Festival in Moab, Utah.
“I was wondering if you’d do me the honor of being my plus-one?” He looked a little nervous, which wasn’t something she’d seen in him before. “It’s a small indie film festival, but it’s become one of the most respected ones around. Remember Jay saying that Smith Sullivan and I would be presenting the award for best feature film? It’s a good opportunity to do some advance publicity for the buddy movie.” He looked so hopeful as he added, “It would be way more fun with you there.”
But instead of feeling excited about being asked, Tessa felt all the wonder of their day together rush out of her body like air escaping a deflating balloon.
Pure panic set in. One extremely hot, long kiss, and suddenly he wanted her to be his plus-one at an industry event? It was her idea of a nightmare. All she wanted was to stay safely in the small world she’d created for herself. Not be seen on the arm of one of the world’s most visible and photographed men.
This was exactly what she’d been afraid of—that she’d fall for Arch, and the entire world would be the audience to her heartbreak.