Page 27 of My Secret Bandit

He turned me toward the conference space, giving my ass a solid smack that echoed off the stone walls around us.

“Jameson,” he called back after putting a safe distance between our bodies. I turned and he underhanded something in my direction.

The small, shiny object flipped through the air. I breathed a mental sigh of relief when it landed between my clasped palms without an embarrassing display of butterfingers making an appearance.

My hands separated to show off a key. Unlike the one I left him this morning, this was silver and had a new shine to it.

“This isn’t mine.”

“I know, it’s mine. Well, yours if you want it. Last night I saved my address to your phone.”

I scoffed. “There’s no way, after one date, you’re giving me a key to your place. What if I’m some psychopath serial killer?”

I pushed my hand out toward him, pinching the key between my index finger and thumb. Like a bomb lay hidden in the thin metal just waiting to explode at any second.

I expected him to return the few feet to retrieve it. And he closed the gap, but he made no attempt to return the key to the safety of his bag.

Instead, he reached behind and slid it into the back pocket of my jeans, leaving his fingers tucked away as he spoke. “No successful, self-respecting psycho would question someone giving them unrestricted access to their home.” He chuckled. “But yes. I’m serious. I want you to have it. And tonight, if you’re free, I want to walk into my house to find your beautiful self already there.”

I swallowed hard as his normal velvety softness morphed into a sultry timbre. I nearly lost the ability to think, and if I was honest with myself, I didn’t mind one damn bit.

He nuzzled his face into mine, the slight stubble tickling my cheek, leaving my center aching for him. “Say yes.” The want and desire in his words clear as crystal.

“I’ll think about it.” When my voice came out in a breathy whisper, I wondered how I would get through this practice with any of my dignity intact.

“I can work with that.” He pulled back to reveal an irresistible grin.

To clear my head, I gave it a small shake. Placing my hands on his shoulders, I turned him in the direction he needed and gave him a gentle shove. “Now go beforeyougetmeinto trouble.”

His laugh echoed against the walls as he ran down the corridor. “Don’t pretend like you wouldn’t love it!”

He’s definitely not wrong.

Using a thumb to trace my lips, I watched his ass as he ran and imagined how his muscles looked under the clothes with each long stride.

Giving my head one last shake, I went through the tunnel until the field came into view. Choosing to skip interviews, I went to the observation deck and used the alone time to get my emotions in check. I figured the further away from temptation, the better. And the twenty-something stairs between the field and the balcony provided extra reinforcement.

With our kiss still burning my lips and the key weighing down my pocket, there was no way I’d be able to focus. So I texted Sierra. Hoping that spilling my guts would allow me to regain some peace of mind.

Me: What are you doing? I need to talk!!!

Sierra: Uh oh! 3!!! That’s an SOS if I’ve ever seen one.

Removing the key from my pocket, I snapped a picture and sent it.

Sierra: A key? What? Does it open the gates of hell so we can throw Kyle in? Maybe even John if the bastard calls me “tiny” one more time.

Me: Pretty sure you’re the only person willing to go that far but no. He gave me a key.

Sierra: He as in HE?? Are you serious?

Me: Dead.

Sierra: What the hell kind of pussy power do you have that possessed this man to fork over the key to his bachelor pad after one date? These are the important life skills I need to know, Jamie! What voodoo doctor do I need to see to get that kind of magic?

Me: Sorry, no witch doctor. Or magical powers.

Sierra: So, what the fuck happened? And if you say nothing, I will slide through this phone and punch you square in the tit.

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