The next day, Sunday, Nicole sat on her enclosed deck at home and tried to read the paper. Unable to sleep well after that soul-shattering kiss last night, she’d gotten up earlier than usual, fed the cats, then gone in to her office. All day, however, her thoughts had drifted to Jonathan and their time yesterday at the festival. And that kiss. She’d never been kissed like that before—as if he’d wanted to devour her.

With a loud meow to announce her arrival, her calico cat, Molly, sauntered onto the deck and rubbed against Nicole’s ankles. Never one to miss out on anything, her tabby, Morgan, followed. He sat at her feet and gazed up at Nicole with big yellow eyes.

“Okay, you two,” she said with a laugh. “I know you want to eat.” As she pushed up from the chair, her cell phone rang and Nicole’s heart jumped. She felt like a teen with her first crush waiting for a call from the coolest guy in school. Drawing a deep breath, she looked down at her phone where it lay on the table. The butterflies in her stomach danced a merry jig as she picked up the phone and slid her finger over the screen to answer.

“Hi, Jonathan.” Thankfully, her voice sounded calm although her butterflies had worked themselves into a frenzy.

“Hey, Nicole. How was work?”

“We weren’t too busy.”

“Good. Then maybe you’re not too tired to go out. There’s an outdoor concert tonight at Claymoor Park. Would you like to go?”

“I’d love to.”

“I’ve been thinking about you all day,” he added in a low, sexy voice.

Damn those butterflies in her stomach. They’d gone completely bonkers.

* * *

The outdoor concert was moving and beautiful, the music haunting and lovely, the stars bright in the heavens; a night for romance was made more perfect because she was with Jonathan. Afterward he walked her to her townhouse and waited while she unlocked the door. Anticipation of his kiss made Nicole’s hand shake. Finally, when the door was unlocked, he cupped her shoulders and pulled her close.

“Thanks for going out with me tonight,” he whispered.

She tipped her head back. “Thanks for asking.”

He studied her, his eyes shadowed. Then he framed her face with his hands and bent to take her lips in a searing kiss. He deepened the kiss, eliciting a strangled moan from her, and she snaked her arms around his waist, reveling in the feel of his muscled body. His erection pressed against her stomach, and desire, like melted butter flowed through her veins. After long, lust-filled minutes they pulled apart.

Jonathan, his breathing ragged, rested his forehead on hers. “I want you so much,” he whispered in a thick voice.

Suddenly wary, she gulped air. “Let’s take it slow, please, and see where it goes.”

He moved back and brushed his lips over hers. “We’ll take it as easy as you want. But I warn you, I’m not naturally a patient guy. But you’re worth waiting for.”

With her forefinger, she touched the dimple in his chin and smiled. “Most of my ‘patient’ guys shed. Some even bite.”

He threw back his head and laughed, then pressed another soft kiss to her lips. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

She slipped inside her house and closed the door, leaning against it. She was falling for Jonathan Brand. No, she told herself. Unacceptable. She barely knew him. Lust was what she felt. It had been too long since she was with a man. That’s all it was. Pure lust. He was potent and masculine. They were explosive together. She craved him like a starving woman standing before a banquet. No man had ever made her feel that way.

Well, she told herself, it couldn’t hurt to enjoy him and what he had to offer. Could it? Her friends would tell her to do just that. She would simply take care and protect her heart. But was that really possible? Kicking off her sandals, she walked to her kitchen, counting off in her head all the reasons she shouldn’t fall for Jonathan. He had secrets. He’d closed off when she asked about his work, his marriage, the snake tattoo. She needed a man who was open and honest. She wouldn’t fall in love with another good-looking charmer who was great with compliments but not so good with the truth. Good at the truth? Guilt pinged her. She hadn’t exactly opened up to him, either. If she was going to be fair, she had to give him time—and give herself time, too.

* * *

“See you tomorrow, Mary,” Nicole called as she headed out of her office the next day. Stepping into the August sunshine, she smiled, thinking of Jonathan. He’d called her that morning. She’d happened to have a break between appointments, and hearing his sexy, deep voice made her insides heat with pleasure. He’d told her he’d be away the rest of the week visiting his mother in the city, and she’d thought she detected something new, a hesitation and evasiveness, but she’d pushed that aside as nothing more than her imagination, surprised that she missed him already. It was silly for her to be already putting obstacles between them. She should be wary but not self-destructive.

She stood at the curb and waited for the light to change. Another Monday at three o’clock, and Madame’s tiny bottle still lay in the bottom of her purse. That whole incident with Madame had been an entertaining lark. Nicole wouldn’t meet her man of destiny on this street corner. To be honest, she hoped she’d already met him.

“Watch out!” At the shouted words, Nicole turned to see a toddler pulling a green wagon coming straight at her. She jumped out of his way then bent to gently grab him and pull him to a stop. As she did, she noticed the word “Jaguar” painted across the wagon. Once again, her heart began to race. What the heck? This was getting ridiculous!

“Sorry about that.” A couple she assumed was the child’s parents, both breathing heavily, reached her. “Thanks for stopping him,” the woman said. “He can be a handful.” She picked up the child and held him close.

“You’re welcome,” Nicole said with a smile. Then the light changed and she crossed the street, shifting her purse to her other shoulder. She could almost see the tiny bottle resting at the bottom, but she wasn’t going to take it out or look at it. No way.

Having fun, Madame, with your little jokes, sending me all those green jaguars? Well, it won’t work. I’m not using your silly love potion.

* * *

That evening, she sat with Erin and Jen at the outdoor patio of a seafood restaurant on Main Street, enjoying sushi and wine after what had been a busy day for each. Sipping her Pinot Grigio, Nicole told her friends about her latest encounter with a green jaguar.

When she finished, Erin wagged a finger at her. “I told you not to mess with the cosmos. You’d better use that potion Madame gave you.” A wary look in her eyes, her friend leaned across the small table until she and Nicole were nose-to-nose. “If you keep upsetting the cosmos, some truly awful things might happen. I know. I’ve read about this stuff in the tabloids.”

Nicole laughed. “Like what? My office will suddenly be filled with large, mean, green cats?”

“Worse,” Erin replied, expression sober. “Your hair could fall out. The tabloids had a story about people that happened to.”

“Stop it, Erin,” Jen said.

Erin shrugged. “Just sayin’.”

Jen looked at Nicole. “Erin’s annoying, but she has a point. I told you how my coworker Annie did exactly as Madame said and she met her husband as Madame said she would. Another coworker pooh-poohed Madame. She’s still single, and she’s had nothing but bad luck with men since then.”

“I’m more into science than love potions. I don’t believe in that magic stuff.”

Erin twisted her mouth, clearly nervous.

“Let’s change the subject,” Nicole said.

Jen set down her wine glass and shrugged. “Okay. Change of subject. Tell us more about Jonathan.”

Nicole felt a flash of discomfort. “Nothing more to tell. We spent the day together Saturday at the festival, then last night at the concert. I won’t see him for a couple of days because he’s away.” She shook off again her fear that he’d been pulling away from her that morning. “He’s just a guy—a hot one—but it’s no big deal.”

“From the dreamy look you had on your face the other day I’d say it is a big deal,” Erin argued.

“How good a kisser is he?” Jen asked.

“Very good.” Nicole clamped a hand over her mouth. She’d never been one to kiss and tell.

“I knew it!” Jen said. “You did kiss him!”

“So what if I did?” She folded her hands primly on the table.

“Hey, girlfriend.” Erin put her hand over Nicole’s. “If he’s good-looking and a great kisser, have fun with him. But don’t lose your heart. Wait awhile and make sure he’s the right man.” She pulled back and lifted her wine goblet. “Of course, if you’d used Madame’s potion, you’d already know.”