Page 77 of How You See Me
Wait. Didshethink the kiss wasjust okay?
“The truth, Sergeant,” she says with a teasing lift of her chin. “Because that was slam-the-bedroom-door amazing, and—”
I silence her with another kiss, this one slower but no less hungry. “No. It was fucking amazing,” I whisper against her lips. “That’s what you meant to say.”
“I don’t curse. But you almost made me forget that about myself.”
“I’ll take it.”
“And for the record, you can kiss me anytime, anywhere. Got it?”
I appreciate the green light, but I can’t think about potentially repeating this moment. Not while I’m desperately trying not to think about how Jordan will react.
She leans against the van and motions toward the shredded tire, taking me away from the worry. Nothing I can do to take it back now, and damn it, I don’t want to.
“What now?" she asks. “I’m happy to stay like this for the next week, but we should probably keep moving.”
“We have a spare.” Reluctantly, I step away and check the surrounding area. “We can make it to the town up ahead and hopefully find a repair shop in the morning.”
She helps me dig out the tools and stands by as I change the tire, asking questions and filling the silence.
After the tools are put away, she hands me a cold water bottle. “You look hot. Body temperature-wise,” she adds with a wink. “Not how sexy you were doing all the manly tasks.”
I drain half the bottle to hide my pleasure over that judgment. “Did our kiss give you permission to comment on my sexiness now?”
“I’ve rarely held back on the subject, given our open communication agreement. And since it was two kisses, I take that as free rein to comment all I want about your hotness. Fair warning, I have plenty more to say.”
My eyes roll. She’s dangerous in this mood. “In that case, I’ll confess that you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
I hook a finger through the belt loop of her jean shorts and tug her close, careful not to smear her with grease. Her breath catches when our bodies align.
“Ifeelbeautiful when you look at me.”
God, she’s perfect. I brush her hair back from her neck and press a kiss there. “To answer your question from earlier, Jordan wasn’t the only reason I couldn’t dothis before.” I kiss her again, letting desire flow through me and into her.
“Mmm." Her lashes flutter open. “What was the other reason?”
“You.” I continue to explore the jawline I’ve been salivating over for days, working my way up to the tender skin behind her ear. “Your goodness outweighs what I bring to the table.”
“Impossible.” She trembles, tilting her head to give me more access. “Even with your hotness out in the open, it’s not my favorite thing about you.” Her palm presses against my chest above my heart, separating us. Her usual twinkle shines brighter than normal. “This is.”
“You like my shirt?”
“No, your—” She catches my joke a bit late, shoving me back with both hands. “Get in the van, Hot Stuff.”
I laugh, surprised by how easily it comes. “I like that better than all your other nicknames for me.”
“Better than Cowboy and Cheesy Puffs?”
“Definitely better than those.”
???
“How do you feel about getting a hotel room tonight?” Josie asks as the sleepy town comes into view.
My hands flinch on the steering wheel. “What?”
“Not for what your second male brain is thinking.”
