Page 52 of Fight for Me
“No, thank you.”
“Aww, come on. He won’t hurt you,” he insisted, but Lexie wanted no part of the creature in his hands. A silly smile spread across Jake’s face as an idea took shape in his mind.
“What’s that, Mr. Bass?” he said, pretending to listen intently as the fish’s mouth opened and closed. “You want to give the pretty lady a kiss? Well, I’m sure that can be arranged.” He zeroed in on Lexie as he rose to his feet.
“Jake, don’t you dare. Don’t even think about it,” she warned, her eyes widening as she stepped back. But Jake kept moving toward her, ignoring her shriek when she slipped on a wet patch of grass and stumbled. “Jacob! Stop!” she demanded with a half-laugh.
Jake stilled, processing the use of his full name; nobody but family ever called him Jacob. Strangely, he found he didn’t mind when Lexie did. He smothered another smile and tried to keep his expression under control.
“You know what, Mr. Bass? I don’t think the pretty lady wants to kiss you,” he said, addressing the fish, which only gaped in response. “Well, I don’t blame you. I’d feel the same way.”
Lexie giggled while Jake returned the bass to the water, talking to it the whole time. He held it just under the surface for a moment to let it catch its breath, then it swished its fins and was gone. He straightened and wiped his hands on his jeans.
“Alright, the big, scary fish went home.”
“I never said he was scary. I just think he’s gross,” Lexie said defensively.
Jake made a tsking noise. “He only wanted to say hello. The least you could have done was tell him you’re sorry for putting a hole in his lip.”
“He’s the one who chomped on the hook! Greedy little monster,” Lexie said, her hands on her hips as Jake approached.
He shook his head and made that disapproving noise again. “Well, be that as it may, now you’ve got a problem.”
Lexie raised one eyebrow. “Oh, I do? And what would that be?”
“I charge an outrageous fish-handling fee.”
“What?!” Lexie shouted, feigning outrage. “Fees should be disclosed before services are rendered.”
Jake shrugged. “It’s not my fault you didn’t read the contract.”
Lexie narrowed her eyes. “Would a dollar cover it?” she asked.
“Nope.”
“Five?”
Jake shook his head, stepping into her personal space and looking down at her. He felt every inch of his skin come alive, the way it always did when she was close by.
“What about a kiss?” she asked.
Jake tilted his head from side to side, pretending to think about it.
“I guess that would work,” he answered. He started to lean down, but Lexie stopped him with a palm on the front of his shirt.
“But you can’t touch me with your fishy hands. Put them behind your back,” she ordered, and Jake chuckled in surprise.
“Yes, ma’am.” He crossed his arms behind his back and waited. If he couldn’t reach for her, then she would have to come to him.
Lexie stepped close enough that he could feel her body heat through the cotton of his T-shirt. She studied him for a moment, her eyes moving over his face as if planning her attack, and Jake closed one hand around his own wrist to remind himself to play by her rules—though she seemed intent on torturing him for as long as possible. Finally, she pushed up on her toes and deliberately skimmed her lips over his with a barely-there touch that pulled an involuntary rumble from his throat. Lexie smiled and did it again before softly settling her mouth against his, her fingers curled in the front of his shirt to keep him close.
Jake inhaled sharply as his mind went foggy, and he forgot to follow instructions. His hands moved of their own accord, reaching until his palms skimmed the top of her jeans.
Lexie broke the kiss without warning. “Uh-uh, I said no fishy hands. Fishy hands are gross,” she reminded him, her voice playful. She took a step back, but he followed with a smirk.
“Jake, I said hands to yourself. Jacob!” she shrieked. She pivoted to run, but he snagged one of her belt loops with his fingers and yanked her back, pulling another squeal from her throat. He peppered kisses down the side of her neck, then ended with a loud raspberry when he reached the top of her shoulder.
“Alright, I paid. Now let go of me, you animal,” she said, laughing as she squirmed.
