Page 42 of Hidden Hero

“We still want two servings, but we will share one here, and she can have one to take home.” He looked over and grinned. “And no argument—this is my treat.”

A few minutes later, the massive slice of moist carrot cake with the delectable cream cheese icing sat on a saucer between them. They each leaned forward, their forks dragging through the dessert. As they neared the end, he jokingly tried to stab her finger to get the last piece, and she retaliated. But he moved at the last second, and her fork actually jabbed his hand.

He jerked back, and she dropped her fork, reached over the table, and pulled his hand toward her, inspecting to see if she had drawn blood. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry!”

His eyes twinkled as he chuckled. “I hope you’re better with a scalpel than a fork. But don’t worry, I’m fine!”

She rolled her eyes. “I assure you that I am excellent with a scalpel.”

He looked over his shoulder again, stood, grabbed the box with the extra serving of cake, then reached down and pulled her up with their still linked hands.

“What are you doing?”

“You may be better with a scalpel, but I think I know something I can beat you in.”

“What’s that?”

He led her around toward the side of the bar, where a large dartboard was mounted. No one else was playing, and he walked over and snagged the darts.

Her stomach churned at doing something so public. “No, no, Jeremy. I’ve never played darts before. I might end up skewering someone!”

“Unless you throw it behind you, there’s nobody here to hit!” He bent to hold her gaze and held the darts out to her. “Come on, try something new.”

She hated being forced to do anything in view of anyone else, but glancing around, she found he was right. No one was sitting at the nearby tables, and the bartenders were at the far end. “Okay,” she agreed. “But you have to show me how.”

“With pleasure.” He winked as he walked behind her.

She felt his heat on her back and tried to concentrate, but when his hands landed on her hips, she sucked in a hasty breath. He bent closer, and his breath whispered past her ear.

“Understanding what your whole body is doing is important. Stand straight, and since you’re right-handed, place your right foot forward.”

She moved her right foot, determined to learn without being distracted by his nearness, but quickly realized it was impossible. “Okay, what’s next.”

“Now for holding the dart.” He moved closer, and she tried to control her breathing. “You want to use three or maybe four fingers. Not too firm. Not too loose.”

“Th… three?”

“Yeah. You want balance. Support. You want to find the exact spot where you can be accurate and hit the target every time.”

His fingers dug into her hips, and a flush moved over her body as she thought of the exactspotshe would like him to hit. Cora wondered if Jeremy knew her body’s reaction to his closeness, touch, and words. But as his voice became huskier, she had a feeling he was not immune to the electricity that began to vibrate between them.

“It’s important to keep your hand steady and use your thumb and fingers together.”

“O… kay,” she managed to choke out, now thinking of what his thumb and fingers could do to her body.

“Now, stand like this,” he said, his hands on her hips, turning her slowly. “Position is important. It can make a real difference.”

Cora wished she still had her ale to wet her parched throat.

“Your legs can be slightly separated or turned sideways.”

“Oh…” she murmured. A humming throb began along her hips where his fingers touched that shot to her core, and she tried to focus on her legs holding up her weight. She didn’t want to melt into a puddle at his feet in the middle of the bar.

“Now relax the tension in your body and keep your eye on the goal. Then release and don’t forget the follow-through.”

The idea of releasing the sexual tension she felt and discovering just what Jeremy could do filled her mind to the point that she barely remembered the dart in her shaky hand. Her chest heaved as she tried to draw air into her lungs.

“You don’t have to throw with all your power,” he whispered in her ear. “It’s more about subtleness, direction, and just a light touch.”

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