Desire in a Kiss

by Nicki Night

  Chris retrieved the car and headed uptown. Serenity spoke mostly of how excited her students were going to be to meet Storm. She decided to let it be a surprise. Minutes later, Chris pulled up in front of the Jazz Museum. Serenity had been so engrossed in talking about her students, she didn’t realize where they were until he took her by the hand and helped her out of the car.

  “Surprise number two!”

  “Is this the Jazz Museum? I thought we were going to eat. I’ve been meaning to come here. I want to schedule a trip here for the students at my school.”

  Chris just smiled.

  “Wait.” Serenity looked at her phone. “It’s almost ten o’clock. Shouldn’t it be closed?”

  Chris placed a finger on her lips, quieting her. “Don’t worry about that.” Chris continued to the entrance, knocked and the door opened immediately.

  A gangly gentleman shook Chris’s hand and led them through the museum to a large gallery. In the center was a table set for two in crisp white linen, topped with flowers in a slim vase and a bowl of small floating candles. Low lighting cast an amber glow throughout the space. Jazz music flowed through hidden speakers.

  “Would you prefer your personal tour before or after our meal?”

  Serenity shook her head, beaming with appreciation. “Before would be nice.”

  Together they went from room to room, reading about jazz greats and the well-known history of jazz music in Harlem. When they returned, salads had been placed on the table.

  Chris pulled Serenity’s chair out before sitting.

  “I know I keep saying it, but this is amazing. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  As usual, conversation came unhindered. They broached the subject of exes.

  “We wanted different things and realized it was best to part ways,” said Chris.

  “What were the differences?” Serenity pricked a fingerling potato with her fork.

  He was careful not to reveal too much. “She pictured a life very different from what I’d imagined. When we broke up, she got married months later, but it didn’t last a year.”

  “Wow. That’s unfortunate.”

  “And you?”

  “My ex was a habitual liar. You wouldn’t believe how many lies I caught him in. I never understood why he felt compelled. It really bothered me because it reminded me of my dad—” She sat up straight, tucking her lips. “I’m sorry. I’m saying too much.”

  “It’s okay.”

  She huffed and placed her fork on the edge of her plate. “My stepdad raised me. My biological dad wasn’t the best example of a father. He promised to marry my mom. She got pregnant, had me, and he still didn’t marry her. He would always promise to take me places or spend time with me, and it never happened. Then one day, we found out why. He was already married and had a family on the other side of town.”

  “How old were you?”

  “I was five, and I remember like it was yesterday. My mother was so angry she broke every window in his car. After that, I didn’t see him for months. I hate liars.” Serenity pushed the food around on her plate for a moment. “When I realized my ex was like my father, I ended it and haven’t looked back.”

  Chris remained quiet for a moment. “How’s your food?”

  Serenity sat back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to spoil the mood. The food is delicious, and I’m having a wonderful time. Let’s talk about something else.”

  “Yes. Let’s do that,” Chris said.

  Chapter 13

  Chris became quiet. The two sat at the dinner table with the most silence they’d ever experienced. She continued to push her food around the plate, took a small bite of her sea bass and put the fork down. She hadn’t meant to sully the atmosphere.

  “How’s your meal?” she asked, finally breaking the silence.

  “It’s great! Yours?”

  Serenity took a long breath. “I think we now know enough about our exes to never bring the subject up again. Cool?”

  Chris’s sexy smile caused a shiver to squiggle down her back. “Cool.”

  “Tell me.” Serenity paused, momentarily taken by his piercing brown eyes. She cleared her throat and picked up a piece of asparagus. “How’d you manage to make this happen?” she asked, waving her fork around. “The concert, backstage and this beautiful museum.”

  “I have friends.”

  Chewing slowly, Serenity gave him a sideways glance. “Friends, huh?”

  “Yep.” Chris picked up his wineglass and smiled over the rim. “Good friends.”

  “In high places, I assume.” She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. This is wonderful. I need to make it up to you.”

  “That’s not necessary.” Chris took the napkin from his lap and placed it on the table. She sat back, looking completely sated.

  “I know, but I still want to.” She thought for a moment. “How about I cook dinner for you? I’m a great cook. Are you busy tomorrow?”

  Chris groaned. “Unfortunately I am.”

  “Oh!” Serenity averted her eyes and then cleared her throat once again. She wondered if she was pushing it and was almost surprised at herself for taking such a lead. Professionally, she went after what she wanted. With men, she was more laid back. It was her old-fashioned way.

  “How about Sunday?”

  Serenity sniffed out a small chuckle at her brief bout of insecurity. “Actually, Sunday works fine.”

  “I’m a great cook too, you know.”

  “Really.” Serenity released the word slowly, before sipping her wine. “Who taught you?”

  “My mother, father and grandparents. They’re all great cooks.”

  “That’s so cool. What’s your best dish?”

  Chris sat back, his eyes narrowed and shifted toward the ceiling as he rubbed his leg pensively. “I make an awesome chili, and my pecan pie—” Chris kissed the gathered tips of his fingers “—to die for!”

  “Seriously?”

  Chris nodded modestly.

  “I absolutely love pecan pie. My grandmother made the best I’d ever tasted.”

  “You haven’t tasted mine.”

  “You can’t compete with my nana.” She swatted her hand in his direction. “Other than hers, the only one I found to be almost as good is the Mary Kate pies they sell in the supermarkets. I love those.” Serenity closed her eyes and drew her shoulders in. “Now that my nana’s gone, that’s how I get my fix. My mother never perfected the recipe, so she doesn’t make them. I wish I learned from Nana.” She shook her head.

  Serenity reminisced for a moment.

  “I can teach you,” Chris offered. “I’ll bring the ingredients with me on Sunday.”

  Serenity gasped. “That would be awesome! I haven’t had a homemade pecan pie in years.”

  “Let me warn you. You just might like it better than your grandmother’s.”

  “No way, buddy.” Serenity wagged her finger. “Nobody’s pie beats Nana’s.”

  “We’ll see on Sunday.” Chris raised one brow.

  “I accept that challenge.” Serenity held up her wineglass. Chris raised his and connected with a clink.

  The familiar flow of their conversations returned. Serenity felt comfortable again. Chris drove her to his favorite wine bar in Manhattan and shared a few glasses of Cabernet with dessert, before heading back to Long Island.

  Before going out with Chris, Serenity hadn’t been on a real date in over a year. The evening out with him broke the cycle in a major way. No man had ever put that much thought into taking her out. Dinner, plays, movies and lounges had been the routine. Tonight, Chris indulged her passion for music and the arts in the most romantic way. He was thoughtful, considerate and attentive, and that winning mix had her intrigued.

 
; When he pulled up in front of her complex, she thought of a way to keep the night going. Normally, she wouldn’t invite a man into her home at the end of their first date. She didn’t count their meeting at the coffeehouse as an actual date. It had been more like an informational interview. Tonight was a different story. She’d anticipated kissing his full lips from the moment he picked her up. She already knew that when their lips touched, it would be divinely explosive.

  She watched him with anxious anticipation as he walked around the car to her passenger door. Opening it, he held out his hand. She took it, and her pulse quickened. Serenity wondered if he could somehow tell. Placing one heeled foot out of the car, she looked up at Chris. That sexy smile of his made her giggle. He held her steady as her second foot hit the pavement. She stood but tripped forward and landed right against his chest. Her breath caught, and a shiver ran down her spine. Instead of being embarrassed, she felt aware of her femininity cradled by his frame. She liked it there.

  “Oops.”

  “I’ve got you.” Chris’s voice lowered. The husky tone was drowned in seduction.

  For a moment neither of them moved. Chris wrapped his arms around her body. She could have lived right there.

  “Mmm.” She moaned, nestling against him.

  Serenity closed her eyes for a moment. She felt Chris’s hands run through her hair. She moaned again. With her head nestled in his chest, she could feel his heart rate quicken. Hers followed suit. Then her core clenched. Desire rolled over her in a slow, hot wave.

  Chris released his embrace and cupped her face in his hands. Sparks of yearning shot through her. He studied her eyes at first. She matched his gaze. Chris drew closer. Serenity braced herself. Instinctively, her lips parted. Chris gently pressed his mouth against hers. She received him eagerly. Their tongues entwined in a heated and sultry dance. He devoured her, melting away every reservation. They parted long enough to catch their breath and continued kissing. Their passion threatened to set them ablaze. He kissed her more deeply. Her knees nearly buckled.

  Serenity needed to catch her breath again but couldn’t pull away. Chris was absolutely delicious to her, making her desire more of him. She squeezed him tighter. He pulled her in, pressing her body snugly against his. She felt his abs harden. His manhood flinched.

  Chris let her go abruptly. Panting, his eyes remained closed. He needed to get himself together, it seemed. Serenity’s chest heaved. Her entire body felt feverish. Dropping her head back, she sighed. A moan escaped. They’d reached an erotic edge. Only a fast break would keep them from going over.

  When Serenity opened her eyes, Chris was staring at her. Desire flashed in his beautiful, brown orbs. He laced his fingers between hers and leaned forward again. Slow, sweet pecks led into another long passionate kiss.

  Serenity was about to invite him inside but remembered this was just their first date. She had never felt so familiar with a man so soon.

  “I need...”

  “I should go now.”

  “Yes...” Serenity swallowed. She didn’t really want him to go. “You should.”

  They never left the side of the car. Chris stepped back giving her space.

  “I have to walk you to your door,” he insisted.

  “Okay.” Serenity tugged on her shirt, straightening it, and looked around the parking lot. They hadn’t thought about anyone seeing them until now. Blinded by desire, she’d received him greedily, without thinking. She hoped they weren’t a spectacle. A part of her didn’t care. He held her hand. She still tingled from his earlier touch.

  At her door, he saw her in. After one quick controlled kiss, he left. Serenity watched him through the window until she could no longer see him. Then she turned and pressed her back against the wall. She shut her eyes and willed the heat ravaging her body to cool down and release her.

  Sunday was a day away. She had invited him to her house for dinner, and he had accepted. She wondered if she’d be able to control her urges when he returned.

  Chapter 14

  He had to tell her the truth. But how?

  Chris pulled into the guest parking spot near Serenity’s apartment. Friday night’s date both enticed and haunted him. He had thoroughly enjoyed her company, relished her delight when she’d reacted so excitedly to his surprises, and almost exploded when they shared that passionate kiss by the car. Yet her distaste for lying men plagued him. He wasn’t a liar. He had his reason for what he’d done, and his intent wasn’t deception. However, he never expected to be here, wanting more, wanting to see where this thing with Serenity and him could go, and instinctively knowing it could go all the way.

  He had needed to get past that first date to know if it made sense to go forward. Now he knew for sure that he wanted to continue seeing her. He’d tell her today. Before, during or after dinner, he wasn’t sure. The timing had to be right. Once he explained himself, she’d understand his need for discretion.

  He laughed, hard. Despite feeling like he’d know her forever, it had been less than a week since he’d seen her for the first time. How had he become so smitten so soon? His friends would surely tease him about this.

  Huffing, he cut off the engine, grabbed the bag with the ingredients for the pie and got out of the car. He’d tell her today. No matter what. His decision was made by the time he reached the door.

  Chris had only halfway pressed the bell when the door swung open. The sight of Serenity and her beautiful smile threatened to take his breath away. That had never happened before. Her hair was piled in a disorderly bun at the top of her head, giving her a bit of the “after sex” look and making her incredibly desirable. Under her frilly apron, her long sweater exposed one shoulder, revealing smooth, delectable skin. Leggings covered curves and toned legs like another layer of skin. He fought the urge to kiss the dip between her neck and shoulder. Bare feet showcased perfect toes polished with glitter. Her cozy appearance showed how naturally beautiful she was and made him want to lift her off her feet and carry her away.

  “Hey, you!” Serenity threw her hands up and wrapped them around his neck.

  “Hey back!” He hugged her with his one free hand, and their lips connected as routinely as if he walked into her place daily. The thought of coming home to her every day flashed across his mind. He immediately shook his head. What was wrong with him?

  “Come on in the kitchen.” She took his hand and bounced down the hall with him in tow.

  “Serenity.” He tried his best to contain his sigh. He placed the shopping bag on the counter.

  “Let’s hurry and get this dessert done, so I can give you my surprise.” She didn’t seem to notice his serious tone when he said her name. “Now show me how to make this pie that you claim to be just as good as my nana’s.”

  “Okay, but—”

  “But nothing!” she interrupted. “I won’t be convinced until I taste it. Come on. These are for you.” She pointed to pie pans she’d laid out on the kitchen table. “Do you need anything else?”

  “No. This is fine.”

  Serenity clapped her hands. “Chop, chop, buddy!” She tossed her head back when she laughed.

  Serenity’s playful nature made the atmosphere gleeful. Chris decided not to spoil the moment. He’d tell her during dinner.

  “All right.” Chris shook his head and went to the sink to wash his hands. “Put the oven at 350 degrees and pay attention,” he said, wiping his hands dry with a paper towel. Chris extracted from the bags the items he’d brought with him.

  “Woo!” Serenity thrust both hands in the air. “Pecan pie.”

  She picked up her phone, and a moment later music flowed from a Bluetooth speaker. She danced over to a hook beside the stove and two-stepped back toward him with an apron. He bent his tall frame so she could fit it over his head.

  He laid the ingredients across th
e counter and popped a pecan in his mouth.

  She swatted him. “Hey! No stealing pecans—” she took a few herself and ate them “—without me.”

  Chris shook his head and smiled. “Are you ready to learn?”

  “Yes!” Serenity sidled up close to him.

  Carefully, he went through the recipe, step by step. They danced to the music barreling through the speakers as they prepared the pie. “How you make this is just as important as what you put in it. This can’t be rushed, okay?”

  “Okay.” She watched closely.

  The song changed and they swayed to that one together, finishing up the pie and pouring the filling into the pastry-lined pans. “Taste.” He put a small bit on his finger and held it to her mouth.

  She licked his finger, closed her eyes and moaned. “That is so good.”

  As they placed the pies in the heated oven, the song switched again and Serenity screamed.

  “Oh! This is my favorite song.” She took the spoon Chris had used to mix the ingredients and began singing into the “microphone.” He laughed, loving her playful nature, but quickly realized her velvety-smooth voice was actually beautiful. He folded his arms across his chest, leaned against the counter and enjoyed her impromptu performance. She hit a high note, sounding better than the recording artist. His head reared back and his mouth fell open. Mesmerized, he stayed that way, listening until her strong finish. After the last note, she bowed. He wanted her more in that moment than he had before.

  “Wow!” He shook his head slowly. Her voice reminded him of his sister Chloe’s. “I...I didn’t know you could sing like that.” An audience of one, he applauded as he drew closer.

  With Serenity at arm’s length, he reached for her, searching her eyes. A force he couldn’t resist compelled him to her lips. He kissed her breath away. When they parted, she pulled him to her again, wrapping her arms around his neck. Chris lifted her up. Her legs folded around his back. He held her tighter. Kissed her deeper. Yearned for her more.

  The kiss grew urgent. Her hands roamed his chest, squeezing, caressing. Chris whisked her to the counter and sat her there. Their lips remained locked. Hungry groans filled the air. Finally, they released each other’s mouths, gasping for air. He swooped down on her beautiful neck, planting a trail of moist kisses there, before moving back to her lips. She groped handfuls of his shirt.