For The One(35)

I was certainly glad I didn’t when William reached up and slid his palms to the back of my head, his fingers weaving into my hair. I pressed my hands to his broad chest as he pinned my body against the cold metal door. Struggling for breath, I felt that kiss not just at the juncture of our lips but all over my body. From the top of my prickling scalp, where his fingers rested without ever relinquishing their hold, to the tingling in my toes.

It was almost too much. And yet I wanted more. Like the craving of an adrenaline high on a rollercoaster after the first breathless dip, I wouldn’t stop until the ride had come to a screeching halt.

Almost as if hearing that thought, William’s tongue slipped along my lips, slowly, seductively asking for permission to enter.

Goddess, the tingles suddenly transformed into aches. Now it was more than mere wanting. I needed more.

Permission granted.

Within seconds, the kiss intensified and the pressure from his mouth deepened. His tongue slipped into my mouth and was now dueling with mine, as if we faced each other on a field of battle. Against my will, a little sigh escaped my lips.

I hadn’t had a kiss like this in ages. It was searing, bright and powerful—pure thrill. At once, I trembled with fear and craving. Wanting to pull away and end it while also willing it to never end.

William made the decision for me, and as he slowly pulled away, I felt just as jolted from the severance of our connection as I did when it began. After a long, silent moment, he cleared his throat. “Now that is a goodnight kiss.”

I burst out laughing. I couldn’t help it. As soon as I did, his grin widened and I felt a pang at how adorable he was while still being incredibly sexy. My throat tightened and my heart rate sped up as a distant fear nibbled at the back of my thoughts.

I couldn’t get involved with William for so many reasons, not the least of which was that I was leaving soon. And though I needed that tiara back, I couldn’t let feelings get involved. I—I couldn’t go there with him. I could never go there with anyone. My heart had been killed and buried long ago.

But it hadn’t taken me long to realize that William was different than the others. And if Ann was right and he did have a thing for me, then this couldn’t go any further.

I stepped back to move into the doorway, only to bang my head loudly on the closed door. “Ow! Shit.” I’d forgotten to open the door, and in my dazzled state had tried to walk through solid matter. It didn’t take a physics student to know that you couldn’t do that.

William asked if I was okay, and I barely muttered enough to alleviate his concern before telling him goodbye as quickly as possible. Then I unlocked the door and moved inside before he could say another word.

No, I couldn’t open this drawbridge and let him in. I had to keep everything shut up tight inside—man my watchtowers, bar the city gates. He could assemble his siege, lay in wait outside the moat, but I wouldn’t be around long enough for him to wait it out. Unlike a medieval fortress, Jenna Kovac was a movable, transient being.

And I always would be.

I didn’t fall asleep until the sun was almost up because I may have spent a few hours reliving that kiss. I tossed and turned and told myself I was being an idiot. It wasn’t the first time a handsome guy had kissed me, after all.

When I woke up on Saturday morning, it was almost noon. No thanks to my roommate. There should be a law against running a vacuum before nine o’clock on weekends. And if there were such a law, I’d have been the first one calling the cops on Alex.

Fortunately for her, she was gone by the time I got up, having left me a note on the fridge to explain that she was spending the day helping her mom with a garage sale. I was slurping up a bowl of cereal when my phone rang.

I checked the ID and answered immediately. There was no way I was missing this call—bleary-eyed or not.

“Ćao, Helena,” I said with a smile on my face.

“Janja! How are you? Are you free this afternoon? I’m going to be in Orange County this evening to meet some friends. I thought I’d come early and take you out to lunch. Are you busy?”

“I am now. I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“Yes, it’s been over a month and it’s all my fault. But we’ll catch up over lunch, yes?”

“Of course.”

“Okay, I’ll pick you up in hour.”

After I hung up, I pressed the button on my phone and noted the date. The twenty-eighth of March. It was no accident that Helena wanted to see me today—the anniversary date was less than a week away.

Seven years. I blinked the sting out of my eyes and swallowed, determined to dig out my finest outfit to wear when I saw Helena. She was always so elegant, so put together. For years, I’d wanted to grow up to be just like her.