Page 115 of Just Trouble

I take a chance on teasing her. “No, really? I never would have guessed.”

She swats my shoulder and I chuckle at the quick glimpse of her smile. “I’m crampy, cranky, cold and sore. I smell like an abattoir –”

“Not even close, Daph.”

I get a look for that. “What would you know about it?”

“Crappy job number seven, I think it was. When you think about it, someone has to clean up those places. It paid well, but not well enough.”

I watch understanding dawn in her eyes. “You don’t eat red meat, do you?”

“Not often. Not anymore.” I smile at her and she smiles back, just a little. I lean against the counter beside her. “Go on. You were documenting your shortcomings.”

“And you were refuting them.”

“Got to contribute to the greater good. Be part of the solution, you know.”

Her smile is fleeting. “I look like a train wreck,” she says with heat. “I even have a zit.” She points to her nose but any blemish is so small that I can’t see it. She surveys me, a heat in her eyes that is downright erotic. “And you look so delicious that I could gobble you up with a spoon, but Ican’t.” The last word is so fierce that I’m startled.

“Why not?”

“Oh, please. Don’t mess with me tonight.”

I turn then, pulling her into my arms. I lean my forehead against hers, my fingers finding and kneading the tightness in her shoulders. “You do not look like a train wreck.” I kiss her temple, feeling her melt a little. “You’re as gorgeous as ever.”

“If you keep lying to me, Iwillhurt you.”

I smile, untroubled, and roll my thumbs against the tightest spot in her shoulders. She sighs and closes her eyes tipping her head back and almost purring. “You’ve got it backwards, Daph,” I murmur. Her hands have found their way around my waist. “I think you’re always gorgeous because I’m crazy about you, not the other way around.”

I don’t give her a chance to argue. I just claim a kiss, one that quickly heats up. I’m surprised how passionately she returns it, proof positive that she is horny. Her nails are digging into my shoulder, her leg hooking around my hips to draw me closer. Her tongue is beyond wicked and I can’t help thinking of the possibilities.

“Not fair,” she breathes, pulling away. Her eyes are stormy. “Iwantand I can’t have...”

“Why not?” I whisper and she looks at me.

“But we can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Um, because it’s gross.”

I scoffs. “Who told you that? Jerk Justin?”

“Among others.”

“That just proves how unworthy they were of worshipping at your feet.”

“I’m serious!”

“So am I. I can feel it, Daph, radiating off you. You’re ready to go wild, and that has to be worth the price of admission. I can’t wait to find out what it’s like to see you lose control.”

She eyes me like I’m insane. “You really think that?”

“I think it’s worth finding out. And really, I’m in for anything that drives you crazy.”

“But it could be awful.”

“It could be great. There’s only one way to be sure.”

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