WebNovels

Chapter 27 - Chapter 27: He’s Going to Kiss Me

Jordan POV

"To new recipes… and to new discoveries."

We clinked glasses. Our eyes held for far too long. And I couldn't have been more uncomfortable.

Lorenzo was in full seduction mode. I kept blushing nonstop, unable to help myself. I should've been calm, relaxed. After all, he'd always been kind, always ready to help me in the kitchen, always with that easy smile. But nothing about this felt like a simple dinner between colleagues.

The lingering looks, the words that always seemed to carry something more… I wasn't naïve enough to deny the obvious.

A part of me—a needy, stubborn part—wanted to give in. It felt good to be looked at like that. Desired like that. But another part of me was screaming to step back.

Why?

Because of the rules. Because of Chef Adam.

He knew I was having dinner with Lorenzo. He didn't say anything, but the look he gave me before we left was enough to make me feel like I was making a mistake.

The food was delicious, of course it was. Lorenzo could cook. And I didn't stop praising him, because it was true… but also because I didn't know what else to say. With each dish, with each glass of wine he poured, I felt more and more observed. Not uncomfortable… not yet. But intense. Too intense.

The conversation started light, but it always circled back to the restaurant. To Chef Adam.

Was it me who kept bringing him up? Or Lorenzo? I couldn't even tell anymore. But his name was always there, echoing.

And if something happened here tonight? Adam wouldn't like it. Of course not. But why think about that? Maybe because deep down, I was starting to understand why he had those rules. Rules all about discipline… but rules that couldn't control the heart.

I almost laughed out loud at myself. Hadn't my ex said exactly that when he cheated on me? That he "couldn't control his heart"? Right. In his case, it wasn't exactly the heart he couldn't control… unless we're calling the heart something further down.

"Finished?" Lorenzo's voice cut through my thoughts. I nodded.

"Great. I'll serve the dessert you brought."

He got up, clearing the plates. I moved to stand too, but he waved me off. Even so, I couldn't just sit still. I got up and began wandering around the room.

I needed to digest. The dinner. The tension. The meticulously crafted atmosphere. I wanted so badly to relax. To savor the moment. To let myself go. But something in me kept slamming the brakes.

Maybe if I saw Lorenzo shirtless… But as soon as that thought came, another bare chest popped into my head. Not his. Chef Adam's.

Stop it, Jordan.

Maybe I was just lonely. Maybe I should stop thinking about rules, about Adam, about tomorrow. Maybe I should just enjoy this. Tomorrow could be a disaster. Tonight… tonight was actually going well.

Right?

I felt his hands at my waist, gentle, turning me toward him. Instinctively, my own hands went to his chest—half to steady myself from the surprise, half to keep some distance. I hadn't even heard him come closer—I'd been too lost in my own thoughts.

"What are you thinking about?" his voice was low, far too close. Before I could answer, he slowly pulled me in, guiding my hands around his neck, setting his own back at my waist. His body dictated the rhythm of the music, forcing mine to follow.

Okay. He was definitely turning on all the charm. It was hard to resist: good food, perfect table, flirting… and now, dancing.

It was a level of seduction I had never faced before. I'll admit: part of me was loving it. My rebellious side, the one that wanted to break rules, begged me to just let go.

But still… why Adam? Why did his image intrude even here, in this moment? I couldn't picture Chef Adam dancing with me, leading me like this… and yet, he was the one in my head.

"We shouldn't…" I murmured.

"We're just dancing, Jordan… Dessert can wait."

The truth was, I didn't mean dessert. I meant we shouldn't be here, pressed together, in each other's arms. That everything was moving too fast. But my confusion was such a mess that even my mouth refused to cooperate.

"I like having you in my arms like this," he said, and I felt my body soften at the words.

Don't judge me. He's a handsome, seductive man, and he was complimenting me, guiding me, surrounding me. I'd been single for too long. And I'd only ever had one boyfriend. Wasn't I allowed to enjoy an opportunity when it came?

"You're more seductive than I thought." The words slipped out before I could bite them back. I blushed immediately after.

He smiled. A wide, provocative smile. He didn't deny it. Just pulled me closer, pressing my body against his.

And I… swallowed hard.

My heart began to pound faster, as if trying to escape my chest. My whole body was too aware of every one of his movements. The closeness. The heat.

"Lorenzo…" I tried to say something, but my voice died in my throat.

He tilted his head, his eyes locked on mine. His gaze was heavy. Pressing, surrounding me, as if trying to pull an answer from me that I didn't have.

I wanted to step back. I did. But my hands stayed hooked behind his neck, obedient to the rhythm he was dictating.

"You're beautiful when you're speechless like this," he murmured. My cheeks burned. And I really was speechless—my mind blank. This was a game of seduction I didn't know how to play. They're always games. I just smiled at him. For a moment, I wanted to be provocative, to know how to play. To be more experienced. To be another Jordan Parker.

Lorenzo was right there, real, present, decisive. My hands tightened slightly at the back of his neck, a reflex I didn't even understand. Was it to keep him close? Or push him away? I didn't know.

My lips parted. "Lorenzo…" I started to say something—I don't know what. The words vanished before they were born.

He lowered his face slowly, eyes fixed on mine, and I felt his breath brushing against my skin. Warm. Far too close.

"Jordan…" Hearing my name in his voice sounded like a promise.

My heart hammered wildly. My lips trembled, as if waiting. In my head, a frantic alarm rang: he's going to kiss me, he's going to kiss me. I wanted to close my eyes, surrender to the anticipation… but a ridiculous fear struck—what if he didn't kiss me? What if I ended up hanging there, suspended, ridiculous again?

I didn't. The space between us vanished. And then, I felt it.

His lips pressed against mine.

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