"Jamie-"

"Hey." He took the hand she was gesturing with and curled it against his chest. "Just answer one question. Are you interested in me or not?"

Her fingers squeezed his. "I'm interested in you. But I think-"

"That's all I need to know right now." He eased a little closer as she brushed her hair behind her ear. A nervous gesture. "Exactly how jealous do you want to make him?"

"I don't want to make him jealous. I just want him to stop flaunting his girls in front of me. It's rude."

"Rude," he said with a smile. "You know what? You're right. It's definitely not polite. So how deep do you want to drive the point?"

Her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"A kiss? Just to teach him a lesson in etiquette?"

"Etiquette, huh?" She laughed and the sound danced over his skin. But when she was done laughing, the question still hung between them, and she eyed him with a different sort of nervousness. "You mean out there in front of everyone?"

"No. Right here."

"But...how will he know?"

He watched as she licked her lips, her tongue flashing just quickly enough to make him want more of it. "Oh," Jamie said. "He'll know."

"Well, if you think it'll work..."

"I know it'll work," he said softly, easing closer. She looked like she'd be easy to startle, and he didn't want to do that. Just as he'd expected, she shifted a little, drawing her head back a fraction of an inch.

He smiled. "Where are you going?"

"I don't know. I just..."

But her words died when he touched his mouth to hers, a careful touch, barely a kiss at all.

"Okay," she sighed, her eyes closing. "Just a kiss."

Jamie closed his own and kissed her again. A longer taste, but still soft. But this time when he drew away, she closed the space between them, and this was a real kiss. Her lips parted just enough that he could feel her breath and the warmth of her mouth. He kissed her top lip, then her bottom, touching his tongue to that plump, pink flesh.

She sighed again, whispering the sound against his skin, and Jamie couldn't wait another moment to taste her. When he slipped his tongue into her, she was hot and sweet with wine. But he still held back, barely rubbing his tongue over hers, allowing himself time to enjoy it. They were in a kitchen at a stranger's party. There'd be nothing more than kissing, and he wanted to feel every moment of it.

A few endless heartbeats later, Jamie drew back, slightly dazed as he opened his eyes to the glaring lights of the modern kitchen. Olivia looked dazed, too, blinking as if she was waking up. Her pupils were dilated, her cheeks flushed, and her lips were red as cherries. Her ex wouldn't be able to miss that, even if he wanted to.

"Wow," she whispered. "You're good at that."

"I like kissing."

"I think I do, too," she said, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"Come on. We'd better get in there before it wears off."

"What wears off?" she asked, but Jamie shook his head. She couldn't know how beautiful she looked like this. Warm and blushing and-for once-not the least bit rigid. It was almost like seeing her naked. Almost.

He took her hand and led her out to the party and all the stiff, bored people pretending to enjoy themselves. "You come to a lot of parties like this?"

"Not a lot. Not anymore. Now I get to choose which ones I go to, but unfortunately, they're all like this. Everyone trying to impress each other. Everyone on their best behavior. What kind of parties do you go to?"

"I don't go to parties. I work."

"Not as glamorous as it seems?"

"Oh, it's glamorous as all hell, Ms. Bishop, but the hours are long."

"Don't call me that," she said, smacking his arm.

"Come on. It's totally hot that you're my teacher."

"Just barely your teacher," she said, throwing his own words back at him.

"Just enough," he corrected.

Olivia laughed, bumping her elbow into his ribs as they walked toward a wall of doors that opened onto a deck. Jamie had already scoped out Victor Bishop's location, and the guy was definitely looking tense. Jamie offered him a smile.

"So why are you taking the class?" Olivia asked as they stepped onto the deck.

Jamie felt so relaxed that he almost answered honestly. Then he remembered that he was keeping a secret and snapped his mouth shut.

Olivia tilted her head. "What?"

"Nothing. I'm just brushing up on business basics."

"No, you're hiding something." They'd reached a railing that overlooked a spectacular view, but Olivia propped her back against it and faced him. "Why are you really taking the class? Seems like you've got the brewery thing down pat."

He looked past her. "What a gorgeous view from here."

"Spill it."

Shit. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Why not?"

"It's too early. I'm just starting to think it through."

"Are you going to start your own business?"

"No!"

Her eyebrows rose.

"That's not it. Honestly. It's just that... I don't know. I'm thinking more of expanding the current business."

Her face remained neutral for a moment, then her mouth made a pretty O of surprise. "You're going to add a restaurant!"

"Shh." Jamie glanced around to be sure no one heard. "Not quite. And maybe not anything at all. I'm taking your class to explore the possibilities. That's all."

"Well, I think that's great. What responsibilities do you cover at the brewery?" She turned to face the view, now that she'd wrung his secret from him.

"I manage the front room and we all have input into the brewing side." Some more than others.

"Food service would be a lot more involved, you know."

His neck burned with self-consciousness. Was she implying he couldn't handle it? "Yeah, I know."

"Well, let me know if you need help with anything."

"I'll be fine."

She bumped her hip against him. "You're right."

Maybe she did think he could handle it. Maybe she saw something in him. "Am I?"

"Yes," she said softly. "It is an amazing view."

Ah. Of course. He leaned against the railing and took it in, aware of her arm only a millimeter away from his. When goose bumps swept up her skin, he had the perfect excuse to hook her arm into his and ease her closer. A whisper of a breeze swept her hair from her neck.

"I'm glad you brought me out here," she whispered. "But we forgot to search out Victor."

"He saw us."

"He did? Do you think he could tell?"

He slid his thumb along her wrist. "Oh, he could tell."

"But how?"

Jamie met her questioning eyes. She looked absolutely puzzled, and he felt simultaneously amused and dumbfounded. "Your mouth," he said, letting his gaze fall to her lips. "Your eyes."

She shook her head as if she didn't understand.

Jamie smiled. "You looked aroused," he clarified.

The muscles of her arm jumped as a blush washed over her face. "I don't know... I'm sure that..." When she started to pull away, Jamie wrapped his fingers into hers and held her still.

"There's nothing wrong with arousal, Olivia. Is there?"

"I just-" She shook her head again, and when she pulled away, he let her go. "I don't even know you."

Alarm sparked in her wide eyes. She didn't seem to know that it was part of the excitement. Part of what had made her cheeks flush and her lips soften when he'd kissed her. "It's chemistry," he murmured. "Nothing to do with common sense. The opposite of it, in fact."

"Chemistry," she murmured. Her eyes flickered, traveling down his body, and Jamie felt those chemical reactions begin to burn again. Her mouth curved up on one side, before she shook her head and banished her smile. "Well, thank you."

"For the chemistry?"

"For playing along."

He was playing, all right, but it wasn't a part. Still, if that helped her feel better about it, Jamie could let it go.

"Can I get you another glass of wine?"

"No, I think we can go now." She winked. "Your work here is done."

"Olivia-"

"Thank you again. For everything. But I think you should just take me home."

Jamie sighed. That didn't sound like an invitation. But at least he'd gotten a kiss. He'd bring her an apple on Thursday and see where it went from there.

CHAPTER FIVE.

HE HADN'T CALLED.

Olivia lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling and feeling stupid for even thinking it. She'd known he wouldn't call. She'd told herself she didn't want him to. But now that she was faced with seeing him in class in a few hours, it felt awkward. On her part, at least. Jamie would probably just laugh.

At least she hadn't invited him in when he'd walked her to her door. She'd left him with just one more kiss. One more slow, hot, body-tingling kiss.

She smiled. Maybe it was worth the awkwardness. She didn't feel like a new woman or anything, but she definitely felt a few degrees brighter.

It was a good start.

Still, even if he was interested, she didn't think she could keep walking down this road with Jamie. That man was potent. Hell, he'd been potent before he'd put his mouth on her, and then he'd gone from intoxicating to deadly. Olivia had no doubt she'd have a very good time with Jamie Donovan, but she'd be just one on a long list of women. She didn't want to think what it would be like to watch as he walked away, taking his good time with him.

Whatever her intentions, it came as no surprise to her that when the phone rang, Olivia immediately thought of Jamie. More proof that she was already in over her head. She made herself walk slowly to the phone, then answered it without checking the ID, pretending she didn't care who it was. "Olivia Bishop."

"Oooolivia Bishop," a friendly female voice crooned.

"Gwen?" she asked, just as she realized what was about to happen.

"So I talked to Marcie last night...."

"Oh, God." Olivia put her hand to her eyes. Marcie was friends with one of Victor's fellow professors.

"You naughty little witch," Gwen drawled, obviously enjoying her secret. "You're totally getting it on with Jamie Donovan. I don't know whether to hate you or put you on a pedestal."