Page 74 of From Air

I don’t hide my tears. They’re all for him, whether he wants them or not. The ache in my chest, the knot in my stomach—they’re all for him.

His forehead rests on the top of my head. “Can you let it go now? Can this be enough for you?” His words are strained. I feel his desperation on a visceral level.

When his hold on me relaxes, I turn and face him while wiping my eyes. I nod slowly. He doesn’t have to say any more. But Idowant more.

“Enough?” My nod turns to a headshake. “I want your lips on mine.” Lifting onto my toes, I brush my lips against his. “I want your hands all over my body.” My fingertips ghost along his palms. “Under my skin,” I whisper, dragging my lips down his neck. “Between my legs.” I nip at his skin. “I want to feel you deep inside of me.” I teasehis skin just under the hem of his shirt. “And even then, it will never be enough for me.”

“Jaymes,” he whispers, brow tight. However, it doesn’t keep his hands out of my hair. It doesn’t keep his lips away from mine.

I exhale and melt into him, opening my mouth and sliding my tongue along his. In two months, I’m leaving Missoula.

For now, I’m here. I’m exactly where I want to be.

My hands grip his shirt to keep me upright while the intensity of our kiss grows, while dopamine floods my veins, rousing a deep need. He presses me to the wall, wedging his thick leg between mine.

Today is the day we will get kicked out of the house.

“I can’t stop.” He says each word in a strangled voice, his hand sliding up my shirt and yanking my bra down to expose my breast.

“Don’t”—I pant so hard my chest hurts—“stop.” My desperate fingers unbutton his jeans and fumble with his zipper.

He’s inciting a riot in my head, and common sense is getting its ass kicked by lust. The need is feral and unrecognizable. I’ve never felt this lack of control over my body.

The creak and thunk of the back door closing send us apart. Fitz keeps a steady, drunk gaze on me while he buttons his jeans. I, on the other hand, suck in a sharp breath and hold it while I straighten my bra before my fingers race through my mussed hair.

Maren opens the laundry-room door before either one of us has a chance to speak. “Uh ... what’s going on?”

Shit. Shit. SHIT.

Fitz doesn’t flinch. I’ve never seen such militant composure. I see the man who jumps out of planes and treks toward wildfires without much thought.

“Jaymes wanted to kiss me, but she didn’t want you to see.” He smirks.

Maren narrows her eyes for barely a second before laughing. “Seriously, what are you doing?”

“Iamserious.” He playfully tugs her ponytail while shouldering past her and waltzing out the back door, leaving me accountable to confess or lie.

Why would he do that?

I frown, hoping she assumes my flushed face is from him embarrassing me. “It’s true. I just couldn’t help myself.” With a dramatic eye roll, I shake my head. “He hid in here and tried to scare me when I came down from the bathroom.”

Even I don’t believe my excuse. I’m not a good liar. She’s going to know.

After a few seconds, she chuckles. “He’s such an ass.”

I nod a half-dozen times. “A hundred percent.”

“Let’s go grab sandwiches for lunch. Will said he’s starving.”

“Sounds good.” I manage to speak without breathing.

When she turns toward the door, I exhale and nearly pass out from the stress.

“If you need anything else while we’re out, text me,” Maren calls to the guys as I follow her to her car.

Will cuts another piece of siding while Fitz eyes me, wetting his lips to hide his grin.

I’m angry because he’s put me in an awful situation with Maren while I’m still reeling from the kiss. It was everything, yet not nearly enough.

---