Then her eyes opened lazily, filled with hope and desire. And when she smiled at him like that, he could refuse her nothing.
He dove his fingers into her hair. “Deal.”
Chapter 27
Jenna’s alarm dragged her from the oblivion of sleep. She grappled for her phone and turned off the alarm. Memories of the night before washed over her like warm waves. Tyson and his languid, breathtaking kisses. Tyson holding her and touching her as if she was precious and important. As if he couldn’t get enough of her.
She stretched languorously in the king-size bed as a smile spread across her face. The sentiment went both ways. She’d never been kissed like that before. Who’d have thought the two of them would ignite like a lit match on gasoline?
Parting had been sweet torture, especially since they’d agreed the extracurricular activity would be confined to last night. They’d shared at least a dozen one-last-kisses before they’d finally parted ways. Then she’d fallen asleep in a cocoon of warmth and wonder.
The cold light of day didn’t leave her with regret so much as a profound sense of unfulfilled longing. Her smile wilted at the thought.
Who wanted to leave behind something so wonderful? But she was a sensible woman. There were reasons she’d suggested that time limit on their very nice canoodling. Reasons that still applied, unfortunately.
Heaving a sigh, she slipped her legs over the edge of the bed. She could be a grown-up about this and keep to their agreement because it was in their best long-term interests.
She didn’t have to like it though.
Nerves didn’t take hold of Jenna until she began getting dressed. They’d agreed to meet in the lobby at six thirty, and now her heart ricocheted through her chest like a rubber ball in a racquetball court.
How was Tyson feeling this morning? Did he regret the make-out session? Would he ever be able to see her as his old buddy again? Did she even want him to?
She stuffed the questions down even as she stuffed her belongings in her duffel bag. Theyhadto go back to friendship. She wouldn’t risk hurting Ty with her fickle heart. Last time it was Jason. But before that there was Spencer during her freshman and sophomore years of college and Ian during her yearlong internship. All long-term relationships that never fully engaged her heart.
And there was no way she was getting involved with a firefighter and ending up heartbroken and alone like her mom. She couldn’t imagine building her whole life around a man and losing him so suddenly and tragically. Not to mention the many anxious nights spent waiting and watching for his return.
So it was back to the friendship track. The good news was, they seemed to be on the same page.
She was zipping her duffel when a knock sounded. She couldn’t imagine anyone but Ty coming to her door this early. So she grabbed the bag and shouldered her purse on the way to the door.She steadied her breath—if not her heart rate—and opened the door. “Good morning.”
“Morning.”
She caught just a glimpse of sleepy eyes and tousled dark hair before she slipped into the hall and pulled the door shut.
They headed silently down the hallway, which seemed to stretch ahead of them like a runway. The flap of her flip-flops was loud in the interminable quiet. She could practically hear her heart beating.
Jenna searched for something to say, but her mind was blank. Should they address last night, or would that only make things more awkward? Couldthings evenbemore awkward?
What was Tyson thinking over there? She hadn’t been able to tell much from that glimpse. Only that he seemed to have had a rough night. Was that because of their kissing? Had she messed things up for good? Her thoughts spun out of control from there as the distance between her room and the lobby seemed to lengthen despite their progress.
“So...” Ty said into the void. “I guess that happened.”
Their gazes met.
His eyes crinkled at the corners in that familiar way. He was okay. And somehow that made her okay too.
“And hey... it was pretty awesome, Greene.”
“Well, now that you mentioned it.” The smile they shared made her heart bloom with color.
Chapter 28
Jenna licked the deliciously sweet chocolate from her fingers. To save time Ty had gone out early and hit a neighborhood donut shop before they met up. He’d bought her favorite: Boston cream. She wiped her fingers on a napkin and stowed it in the empty bag.
The morning had dawned sunny and beautiful. This bustling area of DC was a far cry from their quaint little island. Traffic was challenging, but they were less than ten minutes from Gordon’s house. It had been just enough time to polish off the donut while making small talk with the man she’d made out with last night.
She shook away the thought—and the remnants of those amazing kisses. Time to focus on their mission.
