Page 77 of I Knew You Were Trouble

“Oof!” he says between our lips, but I shut him up pretty quickly. Gosh, he’s a killer kisser. I know I teased him earlier, but yeah… I was a hundred percent lying.

His laughter floats between our mouths, and I grin, unable to keep it at bay. The wall presses against my back, and he locks me there with his body, his hands finding my face. Tingles erupt across my skin, and I know it’s not sexy to giggle during a makeout, but that’s exactly what I do.

“Hang on,” he breathes, then does the exact opposite of hanging on, pressing another solid kiss to my lips. “We… should…”

His words get lost when I tap my tongue against his bottom lip, and I swear I hear my brain wave goodbye as it floats into oblivion. Good riddance, I say. It’ll most likely get in the way, and I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my night with just my heart running the show.

I hook my fingers into his belt loops, noticing his untucked black shirt. I suppose we’re in the break room, so I don’t tease him about it, instead reeling him in against me. Our bodies bump together, and with each point of contact, a new set of tingles erupt along my skin.

“Candace,” he says, his lips making a new path across my jaw. Oh my wow. Holy mother of wows. How could kisses on my neck be just as amazing as the ones he gives my mouth?

“Uh…” I croak. “Do you need something?” He keeps trying to talk. Pete, this is kissy, smoochy time.

His hot breath cascades along my collarbone, and I think I die right there in my laced up sneakers. “We should probably clock out.”

“Huh?”

He pulls away, but I tug on those belt loops, and he crashes back into me. No more pulling back. “Keep your lips here, mister.”

He chuckles and captures my face again, planting a kiss to each corner of my mouth. “Candace, we’re making out on the clock.”

“Mmm…” Yeah, not really registering.

“Let’s clock out and then make out, yeah?”

I pout, and when he takes a step away, my brain plops into place. He’s totally right. This is so against policy, and I can’t believe he’s the one enforcing it.

A smile like Mona Lisa’s curls my lips as he drops each of our cards into the time punch. “Will you say it again?”

He lifts a brow. “Let’s clock out and then make out?”

I shiver, letting my eyes flutter shut. “I think that’s the sexiest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

His shoulders shake with his laughter, and he places the time cards into their slots. “Look,” he says, pointing at my card. “I put it in its designated spot, too.”

“Keep talking.”

“You want me to put them in alphabetical order? Zone order? Both?”

I close the gap between us instead, propping up on my tiptoes to reach his mouth. My fingers trail over the scruff along his cheeks, my nails scratching through the prickly strands. He captures my bottom lip and gives it a playful tug, and I crown him the king of all kissers. I don’t care that I’m hardly qualified to judge, considering my lack of experience. He’s the king, and I declare it now.

“Will you pick me up?” I slide my hands to his shoulders. “As much as I love our height difference, my toes might give out soon.”

He sighs like it’s such an inconvenience, and I pinch his nose.

“Be nice, or I won’t do it.”

“Yeah right.” I throw him a cheesy grin. “You like me too much to tell me no.”

His jaw drops in mock shock, and he takes a deliberate step back, crossing his arms. He starts marching farther into the break room, away from me. I shake my head at his back and stand my ground. I know he’ll give in sooner than I will, and sure enough, not two seconds later, he growls, spins on his heel, and reaches for me.

A squeal escapes my throat when his hands grasp just under my butt, and I throw my legs around his middle. I’ve seen this done in paintings, movies, books, and it does not compare to the real life experience. His face is so close, his body so close, we’re just… close. And I feel special being in his arms like this, like when we were on Gertrude, only this time I get to kiss him.

A piece of my hair floats out from my hat, lightly brushing his cheek. I quickly tuck it back, then rip my hat off altogether. I’m off the clock now, so it’s okay.

“If I’d known you’d be so wiggly,” he says through a strained voice, adjusting me on his waist, “I would’ve given this a second thought.”

“Shush. Kissing time.”

---