Page 54 of The Marriage Narrative
The pressure was on like never before.
Zinnia willed him to understand and remember.One to ten—that kiss was a seven and an open pass to do it again.
But his questioning gaze slid into a frown as he resumed washing the dishes. The camera had her in frame again with all the disappointment she felt written all over her damn face.
Jordan shut off the water. His frown lines had grown deeper and didn’t relax until he placed his hands on either side of her on the counter. He bent down to her eye level. “Seven, huh? That’s barely a passing grade.”
Euphoric joy bubbled inside of her chest. Having his undivided attention made her feel like she was floating away—her body lighter, more delicate, with a quickening in her lungs and a nervous heartbeat in her ears.
“Seven is good,” she assured him. “Seven is great.”
He kissed her cheek, pausing for exactly three of her heartbeats before kissing her again, right in front of her ear. “I want ten.”
She inhaled sharply as his words shot through her, quivering all the way down to her knees.Howdid he keep doing that? Something about him cut straight through her and exposed how inexperienced she actually was. It took every ounce of daring she had to lean into him and breathe a whispered, “Eight-point-three.”
His surprised chuckle soothed her insecurity. He pulled back, giving her an appraising look—both proud and challenging. “You sure about that?”
“I am.” She was cooking with gas, but he was ready to play with fire and they both knew she was no match for him.
She desperately wanted to be, though.
“Don’t move.” His tone flirted with command, but his eyes were filled with patience. Her answering, almost-imperceptible nod was only for him.
Anticipation coiled around her body like live wire. She waited, heart racing and palms suddenly itching to touch him first. Rushing forward would ruin his play.Be patient,she reminded herself.Trust him.
Jordan kissed her forehead. Then the small space between her eyebrows. She closed her eyes and felt his kisses there too, one eyelid after the other.
This was the worst, most terrible thing he could’ve possibly done.
Fucking like rabbits implied lust. She thought they’d be all over each other, raunchy and unbridled.
She wasn’t expectingthis—to feel adored and worthy of such tender affection. He was bestowing her with soft kisses, each one as cherished as the last. The bridge of her nose, the apples of her cheeks, the corners of her mouth…
Jordan’s imagination was simply superior.
Standing behind her, holding her hips, and playfully tucking her head under his chin—inspired. Knuckles massaging down her spine—divine. Teeth grazing her bare shoulder—transcendent. She wasn’t into biting, but maybe she was! He somehow always found the exact move to make hercravemore from him.
With a contented sigh, he pressed his forehead against hers, closing his eyes as she opened hers. She felt herself drifting toward him like she didn’t have a choice. Some unknown part of her had taken the wheel.
“Nine-point-nine,” she whispered, lips lightly brushing against his.
Uncontrollable longing wreaked havoc throughout her from that small, soft touch. It banged on her walls, tore through her nerves, screeched in her heart. She clasped her hands together, holding them to her chest to keep from grabbing him and destroying the scene he’d built.
The visible tension in his body imprinted onto her memory. His taut restraint as he gripped the counter instead of her. His quick, shallow breaths. How tightly he squeezed his eyes shut. His lips moved, but it was only to smile as he laughed, low and throaty. “You aresucha tease.”
“I’m not trying to be.” Those five words revealed so much more than she’d meant them to. He didn’t want to kiss her. Notin the way she was secretly hoping to try. It’d be bad for the show if it happened too soon.
“That’s usually how it works,” he said, as if he really could read her mind. “Let’s get out of here.”
“But the dishes?”
“Wylie can do them. He owes me.” He righted himself and held out his hand for her to take. “I’ve had enough for today.”
Chapter 15
Jordan
Nights in thebungalow were truly the best part of his day. Therefore, mornings without his wife were simply the worst. He didn’t make the rules.
