Page 35 of As Long As You Kiss Me

Chapter 9

Sully savored the feel of Jackson’s hands in her hair. She could go on like this forever with Jackson kissing her like she was someone to be treasured. Her heart beat faster, like it was about to burst with joy. How long had she wanted this? Every moment since their first kiss and years before that too.

This man was capturing her heart, and she wasn’t sure what she could do about it. That was when the fear set in. She couldn’t allow herself to fall for him because she wasn’t ready to be in something serious with anyone.

She pulled away. “We should probably get the other two cameras installed.”

Sully didn’t miss the disappointment in Jackson’s eyes.

He dragged a hand through his hair. “Right.” Jackson grabbed the chair and opened the front door.

Her face burned as she followed him into the house. What had she done? There was a reason she’d decided kissing was off limits. It had been a mistake to drop her guard like that. But it was too late now. She’d crossed the point of no return, and she couldn’t deny the feelings circulating throughout her body. It was a moment she’d carry with her throughout her life. She just had to make sure it didn’t happen again. The moment of weakness had passed. She’d had her fun. Now it was time to focus on more serious things. Like getting these cameras installed and keeping her home safe.

Jackson set the chair in the corner across from the patio door. “If we put it here, you’ll have a clear view of anyone who tries to come in this way.”

“And the one in my bedroom will cover anyone who tries to come in the window.”

“Exactly.”

He must have spent a fortune on all these cameras. Gratitude swelled in her heart. Jackson was a good man. She saw that, but she still wasn’t ready to allow herself to fully trust again. She’d been through too much with Mason. She was still going through it.

Jackson climbed up on the chair with the drill, and she had a good view of the muscles rippling in his back as he worked. Now this was something she could sit back and watch. Where was that bowl of popcorn? Sully glanced over to the couch, which was littered with stray pieces of popcorn. She’d have quite the mess to clean up later. The bowl rested on the table, but it was probably too stale to eat since it was from last night. Pity.

“Need any help?” Sully offered.

“Can you hand me the base the camera attaches to?”

She gave it over to him. Being this near to him made her want to grab him and lose herself in another kiss. The pull was so strong. But she took a step back instead. She needed to keep her head clear. Standing right next to Jackson wasn’t helping matters any. The man was addicting. She’d gotten a couple of tastes, and it only made her want more.

Jackson started drilling in the screws. “Done. Now I just need the camera.”

“I’ll grab it for you.” She went over to the couch and took it out of its box. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.” His gaze seared into hers, and her breath caught. Was he thinking about that kiss right now? Because it was all she could think about.

How much longer could she keep resisting him? She hadn’t done a very good job of it today, and they had to pretend to be in love. That would only make matters worse.

Something black buzzed across the room. Sully couldn’t get a good look at it because it had moved so quickly and disappeared behind a curtain. Maybe it was a fly she’d let in when the door had been open.

“We need to plug this in.” Jackson held the cord up.

The buzzing critter flew out from the curtains and went straight for Jackson’s hair. It landed on him and then started burrowing in his dark waves. That was no fly. She’d gotten a better look at it.

“You have a bug on you. I think it might be a wasp.”

“What?” He reached his hand up to his hair.

“Don’t do that. It’s going to sting you.”

“How do I get it off then?” Panic had entered his voice. “Do something!”

Sully grabbed a throw pillow and launched it at his head.

The pillow only bounced off his face and landed on the carpet. “What are you doing?”

“I’m trying to get it to fly away.” Sully launched another pillow at his head.

“This thing is going to sting me,” he bellowed, waving his hands over his head.

---