“Of course.”
“Why did you want to read my book? I mean, you were honest enough to admit how reading wasn’t your thing, so…what changed your mind?”
“Curiosity,” he admitted. “Like I said earlier, it seemed like a weird coincidence that your name came up over dinner with my mother. Then she gushed over the series and I guess I wanted to see what the fuss was all about.”
“Stop, she did not gush…”
“She really did,” he said, and this time he reached out and gently touched her hand. “And it was well deserved.”
“Austin…”
And he was back to wanting to kiss her, so he took another minor detour to clear his head. “So you’re working on book five? Is that why you’re here?”
Rather than say anything, Mia groaned.
“Uh-oh…that doesn’t sound good.”
“I am seriously behind,” she admitted. “Like total writer’s block and no matter what I do, I can’t seem to get my head back into the story. It’s beyond frustrating and my agent and editor have been patient, but I think that’s all about to change. I was supposed to have this book done a month ago and I’m only on chapter three and…I’m stuck.”
“I’m not really sure what to say to that. However, can I ask a question?”
“Sure.”
“Do you have the book already planned out? Like you know what’s going to happen?”
She nodded.
“Then wouldn’t it be easy to just follow that? Writer’s block—to me—means you have no idea what to write. You obviously do.”
“I do a very loose plotting. It’s more like bullet points,” she explained, her head lolling back against the cushions. “It’s so out of character for me because I’m usually a very fast writer. I can get the story down and the words flow and it’s never been a struggle. For some reason, this story feels like the words are just out of my reach and…” She let out a long breath and shook her head. “It’s like all the characters are strangers to me all over again.”
Thinking on that for a minute, an idea came to mind. He considered keeping it to himself because she’d probably think it was stupid.
Mia rose from the sofa and walked into the kitchen. “I made us a little something for dessert,” she said over her shoulder. “No pressure.”
Rather than sit and wait, Austin followed her and sat at the large kitchen island and watched as she put a tray of brownies in front of him and then pulled some vanilla ice cream from the freezer.
“Chocolate chunk brownies,” she announced. “Sorry if chocolate’s not your thing. I just always assume everyone loves it, so…”
“I do,” he replied eagerly. “I really do.” Taking the ice cream from her, he took the lid off while she got plates and spoons. “You didn’t have to do this, but I appreciate it.”
“Well, I was going to go to Henderson’s Bakery because everything there is amazing, but sometimes baking helps me clear my mind.” She cut up the brownies and put them on plates while Austin scooped the ice cream. “And you’re saving me from eating this entire tray by myself.”
Laughing softly, he slid a plate toward her and took the other for himself. “Anytime you need help sharing dessert, I’m your man. Trust me.” He took a bite of the brownie and moaned with delight. “Damn, Mia. These are lethal.”
Her eyes were closed and she hummed. “Oh, I know. Usually the sugar high alone gets my characters to talk to me, but…”
And that decided it for him. She could tell him his idea was stupid but he didn’t care. “Maybe you need to re-read the series,” he suggested and then held his breath.
Slowly, Mia opened her eyes and stared at him—first like he was crazy and then…a slow smile crossed her lips. “You mean like…my notes?”
“No, I mean the actual books. Read the series from the beginning so you can get back in the heads of your characters.” He took a spoonful of ice cream. “I have a feeling you’re a fast reader so it won’t take you as long as it would take me, but…I don’t know. To me, it makes sense.” With a shrug, he took another bite of brownie but with ice cream on top this time. “This is quite possibly the best dessert ever.”
But she wasn’t paying attention. She was eating her dessert, but her thoughts were clearly elsewhere.
Which definitely killed any hopes he had of kissing her.
After almost five minutes and both of their desserts being done, Austin figured it was time for him to go because…she was already working. Part of him was proud of himself for helping, but there was a whole other part that wanted to kick his own ass because he was having a nice night with a beautiful woman and he had somehow managed to make himself disappear in her eyes.
That’s a new one, even for you…
He moved around putting the ice cream away and then covering the brownies while contemplating taking another one home for himself.
She probably wouldn’t even notice…
Ultimately, he decided against it before putting their dessert plates in the dishwasher. It was like Mia was in some kind of trance and rather than stay and make things awkward, he quietly wished her a goodnight. He was at the sliding glass doors when she said his name. Turning, he said, “Hmm?”
Mia was standing in front of him in the blink of an eye. “I am so sorry. I just zoned out while thinking it all through—you know, what you said—and figuring out how to present it to my editor tomorrow. Then I sort of played out all the potential arguments in my head because…that’s what I do,” she said with a soft laugh. Then she took his hand in hers. “Please don’t go. Up until I was so rude and got lost in my own head, I was having a really good time.”
Her thumb gently rubbed back and forth over his knuckles and he knew he wasn’t leaving yet. “I was too.”
“Good.” Leading him back to the sofa, they took their seats again. “But I have to admit, it wasn’t the only thing distracting me.”
His eyes went wide and he had no idea where she was going with this.
But before he could question it, Mia was closing the distance between them. “Forgive me if this is too forward, but…”
He never let her finish. His hands came up and cupped her face as he claimed her lips.
5
Maybe it was the wine.
Maybe it was the romantic setting—the fire, the candlelight dinner.
Or maybe it was the simple fact that Austin Coleman was too damn sexy for his own good. And the sexiest thing about him? His honesty.
And his lips.
God, his lips.
Mia knew she was never the one to make the first move, and leaning in to kiss Austin was the scariest thing she’d ever done. Thankfully, he took over because…wow.
She moved even closer as his arm banded around her waist to close any distance between them. He tasted like the most decadent chocolate and she couldn’t seem to taste enough of him.
And clearly the feeling was mutual.
One kiss melted into another and it went on and on and on until all she wanted to do was climb on top of him and explore the rest of him.