Page 47 of Puck, Marry, Thrill

But she stopped mid-step, eyes catching on the sight before her. Kenneth was already walking toward her, the steam from the cup in his hand curling into the air like smoke rising from a quiet fire. In his other hand—was a box. She blinked.

“You already made it,” she murmured, disbelief and warmth mingling in her tone as she smiled at him.

“I did.”

Her smile widened, eyes narrowing in suspicion at the box. “What are you up to?”

“About five foot ten—six foot with my skates,” he smirked.

Jamie laughed, her heart giving a happy lurch at his teasing. It was sohim—a blend of humor, charm, and a little mischief tucked into every word. She took the cup he offered, letting the warmth seep into her fingers and chest. But something about his posture tugged at her attention. His movements were easy, but there was a strange energy simmering under the surface.

“Seriously. What is going on?” she asked.

“We’re celebrating,” he whispered, his voice low and slightly conspiratorial. Then he winked. “Don’t open that without me. I’m going to grab some tea, too.”

“Kenneth…” she said, her voice tilting with curiosity.

“I’m serious, Jamie. No peeking.”

“All right,” she relented, amused, and sat down again, the cushion sighing under her weight. She tucked her legs beneath her and cradled the mug close, sipping slowly. The tea was perfect—strong and sweet, just the way she liked it. Of course, he remembered. She watched him as he returned with his own cup, and her smile faded into something more tender.

He looked nervous. Really nervous.

His eyes met hers for a moment before flicking away, and then he swallowed hard. The movement of his throat was tight. His hand brushed down the front of his shirt as if to smooth out wrinkles, but it felt more like a nervous tic than anything else.

Was he sweating? Were his palms actually sweating?

Her heart pinched, aching with affection.Dang, I love this guy,she thought, the realization deep and quiet inside her chest like a prayer.

“Something on your mind?” she asked gently, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve got something on mine…”

The effect was instant. Kenneth choked, tea spraying from his mouth in a spectacular mist before he doubled over coughing. Jamie couldn’t help herself—she burst out laughing, hand over her mouth, and quickly grabbed a handful of tissues from the box next to her. She passed them to him, her grin smug and gleeful.

Then she stood, still laughing, and went to the kitchen for a towel. She took her time, not out of necessity but because she was soaking in the moment. Teasing him like that—getting a rise out of him—it was playful, familiar, and sweet. And yeah, maybe it was a little suggestive.

Was it worth it?Oh yeah.I’d do it again and again,she thought, biting her lip as she returned, crouching to clean the table with deliberate care.Just to see him flustered like that.

“Dang Jamie,” he rasped, voice still raw from coughing. “We might need to set down some rules or something.”

“Fair enough,” she said with a shrug, raising her eyebrows at him, teasing again—because how could she resist? “I’m good with anything you want to try in the bedroom, but we should probably have a safe word.”

“I’m not talking aboutthat.”

“Oh.”

“When the other person is eating or drinking—we refrain.”

She blinked, setting down her cup. “Refrain from…?”

Kenneth’s voice dropped, that familiar rasp curling through her like warm smoke. “Stuff.”

Jamie grinned, tilting her head playfully. “Perfect. I can refrain from stuff. Let’s talk about stuff – I hate doing laundry anyhow. I’m all for passing off that stuff to someone else. Got any ideas who should do it? I’m liking these new rules and will happily refrain from…”

“Sweetheart,” he rasped, chuckling softly, and the sound sent a ripple of pleasure through her. It was that tone—the one he used when he was trying not to laugh; when he was both amused and entirely overwhelmed by her. “I’m talking about how if one of us is drinking or eating, maybe we don’t talk about sex… and I will be happy to do the laundry if you want?”

Her heart did a slow somersault. That offer, casual as it was, touched something deep in her. The thought of him folding her shirts or tossing in a load of towels was somehow more intimate than anything else they’d shared.

“Oh gawrsh – can you get any sexier?” she sighed, letting her voice take on a dreamy lilt. With a teasing glint in her eyes, she reached for the top button of her blouse, fingers brushing the soft fabric.

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