Page 29 of Indescribable Love
“So…” he repeated, seemingly trying to sound casual. “Listen, Juliette, we've been spending a lot of time together lately.”
She nodded. “Yes, we have. Is that a problem? Should I be doing more stuff away from you?” groaning, she added, “I felt awkward about staying here with you at the house and intruding on your privacy. Just say the word, and I can go into town and work or just work upstairs and give you space. I think there’s a hotel near the bottom of the mountain; I can go and stay there for a few days.”
Simon shifted uncomfortably in his seat, struggling to find the right words. “No, no, that’s not it at all. It's just… I've been feeling something, and I think it's time I admit it.”
Unable to help herself, Juliette leaned in, her curiosity piqued. “O-kay…”
Simon let out a long breath, his eyes locked on hers. “When you first arrived here, you were an enigma to me. I didn’t understand why you were so stiff and formal all the time.”
“I was trying to be professional…”
“And I got that, but once you started to relax…it…it transformed you. Seeing you smile a genuine smile was the highlight of the week. I started to see you not just as my publicist or a member of my team, but as a friend.” He paused. “And a woman.”
“Oh,” she whispered, sounding way more breathless than she should have.
“Our fight yesterday was…well, it did something to me. It was stimulating—and it not only knocked down whatever was blocking me from writing or creating, it…it also stirred something in me.”
Her heart began to hammer hard in her chest. Was he saying…
“I believe in being honest no matter what,” he said earnestly. “And if this makes things awkward, then I’ll apologize, but…I need to say it.”
All she could do was nod.
“Juliette, I'm attracted to you, more than I've ever been to anyone else.” His voice was a little gruff, and it was just like when he sang earlier. This wasn’t something he was saying lightly. This was real.
Her eyes widened, and a warm blush crept across her cheeks. There were so many things she wanted to say, but she needed a moment to gather her thoughts. “Simon, I…wow. I can't believe you're admitting that. I’m not sure what to say.”
The lopsided grin he gave her made her relax a little. “The truth. Like I said, I believe in being honest no matter what. So if this is something that makes you uncomfortable or if you don’t feel the same, it’s okay to tell me.”
Oh God…
“I can’t tell you that,” she said quietly, suddenly unable to look at him. “But it does…complicate things.” This time, she did look up at him. “One of the biggest rules I live by is not getting personally involved with a client. It was never an issue before, so I never gave it much thought. But with you, I find my mind has gone there on more than one occasion.
The look he gave her was full of surprise with a spark of hope. “Really?”
Nodding, she gave him a small smile, feeling beyond vulnerable. “Yes, really. I've tried to push it aside, but every time I see you, it's like a magnetic pull. And listening to you sing tonight was…well, I’m sure you’re used to women reacting to you when you perform.”
Reaching up, he caressed her cheek. “I wasn’t performing,” he told her. “That was all for you. I was hoping you would realize what those lyrics were saying. It was my lame attempt at telling you how I feel.”
Their eyes locked, and Juliette swore the connection between the two of them grew stronger.
Simon moved in, practically closing the distance between them, resting his forehead against hers. “I don't want to mess this up. This is all new to me. We can take things as slow as you want or…we can say that we can’t do this at all.” He chuckled softly. “But I’m really hoping you’re not going to say that last part.”
In that moment, she gave herself permission to touch him, reaching up and cupping his jaw. “I don't want to mess it up either.” Slowly, she licked her lips. “But I think we owe it to ourselves to at least try…”
Wait! What am I doing? Who am I? This could end my career! This could all be some line he gives women! Can I really take that risk?
The only sound in the room was the soft music playing in the background and their breathing. The unspoken tension in the air almost felt like another person in the room.
“So, what do we do now?” Simon whispered.
The ball was completely in her court; he was letting her decide. It was a heady feeling, and, normally, she was a very practical and logical person. Pulling back, she looked into his dark eyes and knew the decision was already made.
Smiling shyly, Juliette decided to say what her heart was feeling. “I think we stop fighting it and see where this attraction takes us.”
Simon’s hand moved from her cheek and gently raked through her hair. “I was hoping you’d say that,” he whispered, she could feel his breath on her cheek. Their faces drew closer, and their lips met in a gentle kiss.
It started as a gentle kiss, but as Juliette moved closer and Simon could feel the warmth of her body, everything changed. She tasted like chocolate and temptation, and smelled like the sweetest vanilla. There was a passion simmering beneath the surface, and he was dying to unleash it in her.