Page 34 of As Long As You Kiss Me

“Want to install the one outside first?” Sully asked.

“Yeah. Let me grab a chair.” Jackson went into the kitchen and got one of the chairs that surrounded the small table. He took it out the front door and set it down. Climbing up, he took the camera from Sully. “This spot look good? There should be a pretty good view of whoever is standing here.”

“Looks great. Do you need a drill?”

“If you have one, that would be great. I was just going to use a screwdriver.”

“I like to be prepared,” she bragged. “I’ll be right back with it.”

That was attractive. A woman who knew how to use power tools and kept them around the house.

“Do you think you’ll get in trouble for installing a camera out here?” he asked.

“I don’t think so. I’ve seen other residents around the complex with them. I say ask forgiveness instead of permission.”

“That kind of mindset could get you into trouble. I like the way you think,” Jackson joked.

Sully shrugged. “What can I say? I like to live life dangerously.”

“You little rebel.”

Sully left to go get the drill, her hips swaying as she walked. That was one attractive woman. He couldn’t help but stare.

She came back, handing him the drill. Their fingers brushed, and he felt goosebumps on his arms. There was definitely an undeniable spark with this woman. Her touch brought back the memory of her kissing him at Dixie’s Tavern. The desire to pull that band from her hair and bury his hands in it was overwhelming.

Jackson couldn’t keep fantasizing about her. He had a job to do. After both screws were in, he looked back at Sully, who was standing beside him, overseeing his work.

“Okay, I’m ready for the camera now.”

She handed it up to him, and he clicked it into place. “There. It’s perfect.”

“Perfect like you.”

He grinned down at her. “We’ve been over this, Sully. I’m anything but perfect.”

“You could have fooled me.”

“Are you flirting with me?” He stepped down from the chair and stood face to face with her. The chemistry between them was heavy in the air. Bantering with her like this only made him want to take her in his arms even more. Did he dare touch her? He wasn’t supposed to. And there was no one around to convince they were a real couple.

Getting himself involved in something real with Sully was a terrible idea. He knew better. He needed to tell her the truth before he got involved with her. But the pull to be with her was getting stronger, and he wasn’t sure how much longer he could fight it or if he even wanted to. Maybe he wasn’t the best at making good decisions. Couldn’t he allow himself to have one moment of selfishness? To indulge for just a moment in something he’d wanted for such a long time?

Those beautiful eyes were looking up at him, and the desire there was evident. Did she want this as much as he did? There was only one way to find out. He brushed a loose tendril of hair back from her face, testing to see how she felt about being touched. She shuddered beneath his fingertips.

The action increased his want even more. He had to kiss her. Fighting it wasn’t an option anymore. But he’d promised her he wouldn’t kiss her. He couldn’t betray her trust.

“Jackson, I’d like you to kiss me now.”

His heart lurched and then sped up. “Are you sure?” If she was the one asking, then it wouldn’t matter if she hadn’t wanted him to do it before. But that was only if she was in her right mind and not caught up in the moment.

“I’m positive. Now shut up and kiss me.” She closed her eyes and parted her lips.

Sully was actually serious about this. That was a good thing, because he was about to lose his mind with desire.

He didn’t care that he was still on the front porch. He wanted to have her lips on his right here and now. So he bent down his head and delicately kissed her soft, sweet mouth for the second time. Their first kiss had been more rushed than this one. He wanted to take his time tonight. There was no reason to hurry. So he slowly tasted her over and over in the most gentle manner. Everything clicked into place. This moment felt so right, and instead of feeling foggy headed, it was like he’d put his life into focus.

Like he’d wanted to before, he reached up and pulled the band from her hair, causing it to tumble down free around her shoulders. He took that opportunity to bury his hands in her silky locks.

She moaned against his lips, and he deepened the kiss, keeping it oh, so gentle. He never wanted it to stop.

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