Page 42 of The Overdue Kiss

“Deal. I can’t wait to see what you’ll pick out for me.Oh.” Panic flashes in his eyes, and he runs back into his kitchen to grab the Tupperware drying on the counter and shoves it down the front of his jacket. “I almost forgot about my cookie refill. That was a close call.”

“Cookie refill?” My lips tremble, failing to hold in my laughter as it spills out. “You crack me up.”

“Not sure I’ve ever been the funny one before. I usually get ‘quiet’ or ‘serious,’ but I like that you consider me fun.”

“I don’t think of you as quiet or serious... more thoughtful than anything. Men aren’t usually blessed with the gift of listening—you’re a rare breed, Des. Any other tricks you have hiding up your sleeve?”

“Nope. Just your empty Tupperware.”

I bark out a laugh and press a hand to his arm. “You’re killing me.”

“You’re not dying on my watch. Come on.” He tugs on my hand, leading me outside to his bike.

Even though it’s a quick drive to Julia’s, the temperature has dropped a few degrees, and my fingers are numb and trembling. A light sprinkle of rain bounces off my borrowed jacket only to soak my dress pants.

I shiver and burrow into his back the best I can.

“I’m buying you a pair of gloves tonight,” Des says through the comm. “Put your hands in my jacket pockets and see if that helps.”

I slip them inside, thankful for his body heat. “Like this?”

He grunts in agreement.

For the rest of the ride, he’s quiet. Too quiet. Whenever I move a finger, he flinches and hisses out a breath.

“You’re uncomfortable...” I say as I start to pull my hands out. “I can handle a little chill.”

He presses his elbows in, halting my withdrawal. “It’s fine, Maya. Leave them.”

“Des . . .”

“I said it’s fine.”

“I’m not okay with you being uncomfortable.”

“Well, I’m not okay with you getting frostbite just because I’m ticklish.”

“What?” I laugh, not expecting that response at all.

“You heard me. Just don’t wiggle around in there and I’ll be fine,” he says, gritting his teeth as if he’s bracing for the worst. He hisses again when I tuck my hands deep into his pockets.

The man couldn’t be any cuter.

But now that he’s mentioned it, my curiosity turns to what other places he might be ticklish. And how long it will take him to find my spots as well.

“Your silence makes me regret telling you. Why do I feel like you are planning something?”

“Just wondering how ticklish you are. Might have to use it to get the rest of those embarrassing stories out of you.”

He groans, to my delight.

As soon as he parks, the skies open up. Rain splatters on our helmets, echoing through our comms like static. I hop off the bike and grab his gloved hand, tugging it.

“You need to get out of the rain.”

He tilts his head like he might argue, then turns off the bike and runs with me to the porch. He lifts up his visor, then mine, his eyes crinkling in a smile as he stares at me.

“What is it?” he asks.

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