Page 43 of Wife By Accident

“Oh. How embarrassing.” Leo rubbed a hand across his temples. “I don’t remember that at all.”

“It isn’t embarrassing,” Olivia said. “I’m happy that you opened up to me then, just like now. It means a lot.” She paused. “What is the last thing you remember, exactly? Has anything else come back?” She wanted to know if he remembered that kiss.

“I remember going to get something to eat, like I said before,” Leo said. “And before that, I remember taking you into the hallway and kissing you.”

“You remember?” Warmth pooled in Olivia’s stomach.

Leo’s deep blue eyes were fixed on hers. “How could I ever forget?”

A shiver went through Olivia at his deep voice and cool eyes. He remembered.

“What can I get you?” a waiter asked, shattering her focus. Olivia hadn’t even noticed the waiter approaching, she’d been so focused on Leo. She blinked.

“We need another minute,” Leo said.

“Of course.” The waiter swept away, and they were alone again.

“So, you do remember the kiss,” Olivia said. “That’s good. I was worried it was just me.”

“No. I remember that I won a bet, and the prize was getting to kiss you.” Leo smiled. “I remember how I pressed you against the wall and the little sound you made when put my arms around you. I remember that you tasted like champagne and strawberries. I remember thinking that I wanted to kiss you again.”

Olivia met his gaze. “Do you still?”

She had no idea where her boldness had come from. She’d been doing her best not to do anything to jeopardize the divorce or make a complicated situation even more complicated, but she couldn’t resist. Not when Leo was looking at her like that. Not when his words sent shivers of desire all down her back. Not when he’d just opened up to her.

“Of course,” Leo said, not missing a beat.

“Then why don’t you?” Olivia asked.

“Do you want me to kiss you?”

“I do.”

“Last time, I won a bet. Maybe I need to win another.”

“What do you propose?” Olivia asked.

“Let’s see. I bet I can guess what number you’re thinking of.”

Olivia laughed. “Let’s see. I’m thinking of one now.”

She wasn’t. She was thinking only of Leo, of how it might feel for him to kiss her again.

“Seven,” Leo said.

“That’s the one.”

“Very well.” He stood and held out a hand. Olivia took it, letting him lead her across the restaurant. He settled up at the bar and led the way to the elevator. When it arrived, they stepped inside, both facing forward, as the doors slowly closed.

The moment the elevator began to descend, Leo turned to Olivia, she lifted onto her tiptoes, and they were kissing again. It was nothing like the kiss in the casino — they were both sober, so Olivia was much more aware of the way it felt for Leo to hold her in his arms and kiss her gently, then more passionately, as if he couldn’t stand for there to be any distance between them. Yet, it was everything like that kiss in the casino, too — Olivia was so filled with desire that she felt weak in the knees, wanting nothing more than to keep kissing Leo for as long as she could. Just like then, Leo kissed her as though he wanted to express something he couldn’t find the words to say.

The kiss ended all too soon, because the elevator doors sprung open after what felt like no more than a heartbeat, and they broke apart. Leo’s lips looked a little swollen, and Olivia’s heart raced at the thought that she’d caused that.

“Well,” Leo said, his voice deeper than before, his eyes still on her, “shall we?”

They stepped out of the elevator and crossed the lobby. Olivia was very aware of Leo beside her, his hand brushing against hers once as they walked. Had the kiss been a one-off? Or would it happen again?

They exited into the cooling evening. It was dark outside now, making the neon signs and bright streetlights look even brighter. Somehow, the streets were just as full as they’d been at any other time of day.