“Not your fault,” he soothed. “But you’re right. It probably shouldn’t have happened. Not here.”
Olivia looked over at him briefly, the hurt in her eyes fleeting before nodding her head in agreement.
Fighting the urge to say to hell with it all and make that second kiss happen sooner, rather than later, Jake held his arm out for her again, “Come on. We both need to get some rest before tomorrow.” When she didn’t move, he added, “I promise I’ll behave.”
Jake knew the minute Olivia was asleep. Listening to her deep, even breaths, he tried to process everything. He still couldn’t believe he’d found her alive, let alone had her wrapped snugly in his arms.
And that kiss? What the hell had he been thinking, kissing her like that? He was supposed to be worrying about getting her out of the jungle alive, not making out with her like a horny teenager. But goddamn, the woman could kiss.
For far too long, Jake had wondered what it would be like to touch those soft, sweet lips to his. To feel his tongue slide between them. To taste her.
He’d tried to talk himself out of it, but then, Olivia had looked up at him, her eyes so full of sweetness and lust, and he’d lost all self-control. Until he’d squeezed her side. If not for that, Jake had no doubt things would have gone much further than a fabulous make-out session.
When he saw where that fucker Cetro had kicked her...God, just thinking about it made his blood boil. It also brought him back to his original question. What the hell had he been thinking?
When they got back to Texas, they’d figure out a way to have an actual relationship. He’d deal with the concerns surrounding his job, and do whatever it took to ensure Olivia was kept safe while he was away.
The world was a dangerous place. Jake knew better than anyone that life could turn on a dime. He refused to waste more time pretending he didn’t want more with her.
He ignored the twinge of guilt twisting in his gut as he thought of her brother. Knowing the way Mike used to be about his sister, Jake wouldn’t be surprised if the guy came back, just to kick his ass. That was fine with him. Olivia was worth it.
Leaning down, he kissed the top of her head again before resting his cheek against it as he’d done earlier. His smile faltered when that little voice gave him a good smack on the back of his head.
Who the fuck are you kidding? When Liv finds out what a lying, deceitful bastard you are, it will destroy her.
This time, Jake punched the invisible ass right back. Hewouldfind a way to work it all out. They were meant to be together. That was clearer now, more than ever before.
He’d been given a second chance to make Liv his, and was going to do whatever it took to make her see she belonged with him.
Chapter 10
Asoft sound woke Jakea few short hours later, and it took him a moment before he realized the sound was coming from Olivia. He sat motionless as he waited for her to settle again. After a few seconds of silence, Jake had just started to relax when she moaned again.
It wasn’t just the sound that got his attention this time, but the way she was clutching at his vest. She seemed panicked. Afraid. And he thought he heard a mumbled, “No”.
Jake whispered against her head, hoping to put her unconscious mind at ease. “Shh, It’s okay, sweetheart. You’re okay.” Her grip only grew tighter, her breathing faster.
