Page 11 of Kiss Me if You Can
“Plausible deniability.”
“But you used my phone!”
He laughs. “You’ll be fine. It was public record, just buried a bit. And no one is looking foryou.”
He had better be right. I’m right on the cusp of making something truly great with my business, and I don’t exactly need the FBI hunting me down because I chose to aid a supposed criminal. What will they do to Jake if they catch him? I’m not sure I want to know, mostly because that depends entirely on if he’s innocent.
Jake’s head tilts to one side again, his expression growing wary. Seriously, either I’m not as skilled at schooling my features as I thought I was, or he is way more than good at reading body language. “I know I’ve already said it, but I’m going to keep saying it. You don’t have to help me, Isla.”
“I might needyouto helpme.”
That catches him by surprise, his eyebrows shooting high as his mouth drops open ever so slightly. He looks at the baseball diamond, where the Scorpions are now on the field, looks at his hands where they’re against the skin of my torn-up legs again, then looks down at my phone. I can practically see the calculations his brain is making as he processes what I just said. He’s like that meme incarnate of the blonde woman with the math equations, only he doesn’t look as clueless.
In fact, I’m pretty sure he’s solved the puzzle. When his eyes rise back up to meet mine, he pulls his eyebrows down, shock turning into disgust. “That’s a terrible idea.”
I gasp. “Okay, now I’m especially convinced you’re psychic.”
“Why does everyone always assume… I’m not going to be your husband for your fancy business lunch.” He grabs a bandage from the bag and tears the paper open, somehow still gentle despite his agitation as he presses the bandage to my shin, over the worst of my cuts.
I fold my arms. “Why not? You don’t even have to say anything. Just exist. Show off your pretty face.”
He groans, though the red that rises says something other than frustration. I didn’t think a guy like him could get embarrassed. “Isla, you do remember that my face is all over the news right now, right?”
Okay, I might have forgotten that part. Honestly, considering he’s literally on the run from the government, the day has been pretty chill so far. “It’s not like anyone pays attention to the news.”
“You did.”
“Only because my brother-in-law mentioned something.Andbecause I already knew you were in trouble. You could hide in plain sight!”
He doesn’t say anything until he’s plastered another few bandages against my skin, gritting his teeth the whole time. “I want to help you,” he says when he’s satisfied I am properly patched up. “But it’s dangerous. I still don’t know if it’s only the FBI trying to find me, and there is no way I’m putting your life at risk. You’re too precious.”
His words are already on a swoony level the likes I’ve never seen, but I can’t help but imagine him saying all of this while caressing my cheek with his palm or pressing his forehead against mine. Apparently I’ve crossed into creepy fantasy-land because he’s not even touching me right now.
But I’m pretty sure he wants to. I may not be a mind reader, but I can read body language too. He’s tense, but I don’t think it’s because he’s on the run. He wants me, but he doesn’t want to want me.
I chew on my lip, noting the way his eyes grow darker as he watches the tiny movement. “You really think I’m precious?” It had better not be in an ‘oh, you’re so precious, bless your heart’ kind of way. I get plenty of that as it is.
Jake swallows and turns his attention to the crowd as they cheer again. “I think you’ve been underestimated too much in your life.”
My heart pounds in a steady rhythm in my chest, loud enough that I’m sure he hears it. “What do you mean?”
He closes his eyes, looking pained. “I mean you are the strongest, bravest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, and I hate that people aren’t smart enough to look past your physical difference and see the remarkable person who doesn’t let it hold her back.”
Tears fill my eyes, even though I can’t stop thinking about how there is no crying in baseball, according to Tom Hanks. I need to reply to Emily’s last message, and I need to convince Jake that it’s a good idea to come with me and help me get this collaboration going. But right now, I need to find a way to thank this man for being kind.
I leap onto him so quickly that I expect to either knock him over or for him to turn into a stone statue. Neither happens. Jake must have been ready for me because his arms wrap around me in a tight hold. He’s not a big guy by any means, but there’s something about his embrace thatfeelsbig, like he’s the kind of guy who can protect me from all the hurts on the inside as well as the outside.
“You don’t have to come with me,” I say into his shoulder. “You’re right, and it would only put you at risk.”
“That isn’t what I said.” His arms tug me tighter against his body, and I can feel his resolve slipping the longer he holds me. “It’s you I’m worried about, Isla. But…”
I hold my breath.
“But I owe you. After everything you’ve done for me this morning, I… Okay. I’ll be your husband.”
I barely hold back a squeal of delight.
Chapter Five
